a guide to building your own rack

[geck]

Do you think its necessary to route the wood for the heat cable or just put the cable down and cover it with that aluminum tape?

 

[paulnj]

cable should be routed in for best results and as to not wear through it. Heat tape can be taped down though.

 

[arnie]

where did you buy the tubs from please ?

 

[paulnj]

You can get containers at the container store, target, wally world.........

 

[geck]

cable should be routed in for best results and as to not wear through it. Heat tape can be taped down though.

What do you mean as not to wear through it?

 

[paulnj]

the friction from moving the tub in and out can wear through a cable. I am not saying it will, but I would personally remove that variable if I was using heat cable myself.

 

[geckoeyez]

Does it matter what kind of paint you use? Sorry if this was asked.. I havent ready all of the replies.

 

[Kaspar825]

This is what im going to use except i woud like to go lidless so do i just add a centimeter or 2 to the measurments for each level

 

[Kaspar825]

also you said that you used CCB but it isnt good for humidity. Should i use it or not

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Nice post Nevin

 

[Kaspar825]

The expensive part is the heat tape lol

no the expensive part is the thermostat. lol If anyone has one ill buy it:main_laugh:

 

[thegeckoguy23]

nice thanx i like my walmart rack im not that serious into breeding but my wal mart rack is awesome for breeding

 

[-Mischief]

Where can I find heat tape?

 

[Taquiq]

Where can I find heat tape?

I but mine from here. Scroll down to find the heat tape.

 

[Pokersnake]

I have a question about your tubs: Do you all prefer using lids or no lids?

If I were to start using a rack system, I think I would use lids. I like the idea of that added layer of security.

Also: taping down the heat tape: does the foil tape intensify the direction the heat travels? I think I heard of someone using it to sandwhich their heat tape to the bottom of a tank to direct the heat flow upward. And what other types of tape can you use? Electrical? Duct?

 

[theCREECH]

I understand the concept of the tape. and I'm sorry if this is a stupid question...

I'm wondering about the wiring of the tape..not how to, but which way. let me explain if I can:
Do you snake all the tape back and forth down the rack from shelf to shelf and then only wire once with one dimmer and one thermostat??? if so does the tape stay at a consistent heat throughout the whole length?

Or do you wire each shelf seperately with it's own dimmer and outlet plug, and maybe even thermostat?

I would like to think there is a way to do it without snaking the tape back and forth through each shelf (only because it gets more expensive). But I also don't want an electrical cord hanging down the back from each shelf.??

Sorry. for being this confused some one please help with this question.

nevermind.. I just found this:
http://www.herpcenter.com/wiring-heat-tape.html
towards the end of the instalation guide there's a section on wiring in parralel. Thanks

 

[leopardgeckogeek1600]

The only problem I think I would have with this is putting heat tape to the rack. I think that would be a pain in the butt.

 

[contracteryin]

How does heat tape work exactly? That's something that's been confusing me for a while. I don't plan on making a rack anytime soon but I think knowing this beforehand is a very good idea.

 

[Shadraak]

How does heat tape work exactly? That's something that's been confusing me for a while. I don't plan on making a rack anytime soon but I think knowing this beforehand is a very good idea.

Heat tape. Is a thick plastic film that has 2 metal strips (one on each side ) and connections going back and forth. When electricity is applied it heats up. Hence why u always want to regulate it with a dimmer (limits the amount of electricity going thru hence less heat) or with a thermostat (on/off) that will only let it get to a certain temp and then stop all electricity or a proportional thermostat which essentially self regulates the amount going to it , in essence am automatic dimmer switch.

 

[Geeko Chic]

Wow! Everything I needed to know. Thank you guys!!!