How does heat tape work..

F

Fish

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Ok, here is what I have been told heat tape is:
A strip you attach to your bin. Each strip is connected to a thermostat.

Is this right? And does the tape go on the bottom or side?
 
janjgeckos

janjgeckos

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Are you using on a rack? or aquarium?
yes you must use a thermostat, if using for geckos it would go under the tub for belly heat.
 
F

Fish

Guest
Right now my tank is aquarium with UTH pad..

I was just wondering in case I ever get a rack. So is that basically how it works?
 
janjgeckos

janjgeckos

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it comes in a roll they cut the lenght you need either they wire it for you or you wire it yourself. Other than that yes thats how it works
 
Khrysty

Khrysty

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Basically it's a very good conducting metal that's trapped in a permanent casing of thin plastic. Where it is cut at the edges, the metal is exposed. You are supposed to solder or clamp a wire (cable) to it, and eventually a plug of some sort--which then plugs into the thermostat. You place the thermostat's probe in one of the tubs, on the substrate and then adjust it to the proper temperature.

Seems complicated, but it's not really lol
 
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RampantReptiles

RampantReptiles

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You dont have to use a thermostat, a rheostat works as well. The kits are safer and only cost a few dollars more if you dont want to solder. The wires are just like your regular old plug from an appliance or extension cord. I bought extension cords from the dollar store and used them for each row of heat tape.

Generally people use heat tape on the bottom in the back. Depending on how many shelves you have it is a good idea to have a thermostat/rheostat for every 3-4 shelves.

Good luck!
 
F

Fish

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I was thinking on putting some bins in the stand of my 75g fish tank. Would it be safe for the heat tape to rest on the bottom of a bin, with the bin on a wooden stand?
 
Khrysty

Khrysty

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it's okay as long as the temperature is regulated by a thermostat. If you lay aluminum foil underneath the tape, on top of the wood, it will be reflected up into the tubs instead of down into the wood and use less energy to heat your bins
 
janjgeckos

janjgeckos

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Khrysty said:
Basically it's a very good conducting metal that's trapped in a permanent casing of thin plastic. Where it is cut at the edges, the metal is exposed. You are supposed to solder or clamp a wire (cable) to it, and eventually a plug of some sort--which then plugs into the thermostat. You place the thermostat's probe in one of the tubs, on the substrate and then adjust it to the proper temperature.

Seems complicated, but it's not really lol
Click to expand...

I tape my probe to the flexwatt I have see too many people melt tubs and burn reptiles by placing the probe elsewhere like in or on the substrate
 
janjgeckos

janjgeckos

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Maryland
RampantReptiles said:
You dont have to use a thermostat, a rheostat works as well. The kits are safer and only cost a few dollars more if you dont want to solder. The wires are just like your regular old plug from an appliance or extension cord. I bought extension cords from the dollar store and used them for each row of heat tape.

Generally people use heat tape on the bottom in the back. Depending on how many shelves you have it is a good idea to have a thermostat/rheostat for every 3-4 shelves.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

A rheostat will only work if you have a reptile room with a constant temp all they do is lower the voltage going to the tape so if the temp in your room drops so does your cage temp and if your room temp rises so does your cage temp. you are better off spending the money on a thermostat
 
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