flexwatt.............

[mykee]

I am going to be building my own rack with 5 shelves to house tubs 16x34x6. I will be purchasing flexwatt heat tape for this undertaking, and am curious as to the maximum heats that this stuff can pumkp out. I will be hooking it up to a Helix DBS-1000, so I'm not concerned about it being too hot, just that it will be hot enough. I have been told that when used in this type of enclosure, expect the tape to give to approx. 15 or so degrees warmer than the room you are in. Please let me know if I can use heat tape to house ball pythons comfortably (88-90deg.), or if I should use an alternative. Thanks, Mykee.

[Big Mike]

I have not used the stuff myself but it seems to be the most common product for multiple rack enclosures for snakes. If it works for all those people...I'm sure it will work for you.

I recall someone saying that they measured uncontrolled flexwatt at 120 degrees. I guess it depends on how much ventilation it gets but it should be good for your purposes.

We will want to see some pictures of the rack when it's done.

Good Luck.

[dead bob]

I have had my flexwatt, an 11inch x 12 inch piece, reach 130f+. So you should have no problems with heat.

[Kyle Barker]

I tested the 3 inch to see how hot it got, and it reached 137f.

[eclypse_boy]

Were is it placed if I have a melamine enclosure? On the inside bottom or under tank?

[Big Mike]

You want to elliminate any chance of the heat tape getting wet and/or comming into contact with your animal. Usually when used in racks, heat tape goes ontop of the wood/melamine shelves and then plastic enclosures go on top of the heat tape.

You can put the heat tape under the melamine which would be safest for the animal. You have to give it a little room for ventillation so it does not over heat.

I have not done this yet so I'm just speculating...look around at what other's have done for heating their home meade melamine elclosures.

Good luck.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Here's what I've done...

[mykee]

thanks all, you've all been very helpful. Cranwill, your picture shows exactly what I will be doing, how did you get the flexwatt mounted down so perfect (flat-as-can-be)?

[Tim_Cranwill]

I just laid it down and put some packing tape on it every 12 inches or so. I put about 1 cm on the heat tape and the rest on the shelf.