Back Heat V.S. Belly Heat

[Lena]

Ok, so I need to decide soon as I'll be installing Flexwatt Heat Tape on my Tupperware rack and the easiest way to do it is to use one strip down the back of the drawers.

Is back heat ok for leopard geckos or is belly heat absolutely necessary?

 

[bitterbeauty]

Belly heat is preferred and helps them digest their food properly.

 

[Lena]

So, one strip along the back isn't a good idea?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Belly heat.

 

[shadowx362]

well belly heat is better, but it wont kill your gecko if you dont. If I recall right Kelli (owner of GF.net and H.I.S.S) uses back heat.

 

[Lena]

Mmk. So that's been established. I'm going to need a lot of outlets.. :main_laugh:

A small piece of heat tape doesn't use much electricity, though, does it?

Oh, and being that I'm going to have 6 separate pieces of heat tape to plug in.. How do I control them with the thermostat? Do I plug the surge protector into the thermostat itself? Will that still work?

EDIT: Oh, does she, Edgar? Because it's just a lot easier and less messy to just use on big strip down the backs of the tubs with a thermostat than 6 separate plugs..

 

[fallen_angel]

if the back heat gets the belly level at the proper temp, I don't see anything wrong with it

 

[Lena]

Well, you know, I think it'll work out, the way the heat tape is going to be put in my rack system a small portion of the tape will be under the tubs when the drawers are closed anyway (I have to kind of thread the tape along the back, over partitions). And the thermostat I'm buying measures surface temperature.

 

[zzz888]

You should place heat pad under the tank!!!
Bell heat is the best choice!!!
Back heat is not efficient and lost lot of heat, it can be used as secondary heat source

 

[supperl]

I have a friend using backheat on his Hatchlingsrack. He gets the needed temps and has only 1/4 of the energy I need with bellyheat and heattapes.
I would say both works but the one thing is cheaper.

 

[nats]

You should place heat pad under the tank!!!
Bell heat is the best choice!!!
Back heat is not efficient and lost lot of heat, it can be used as secondary heat source

More "advise" from our friend who advocates the use of loose sand as a "good" substrate!!?? Hmmmmm :main_rolleyes:

 

[Lena]

Well, I'm ordering my flexwatt today, the most economical and feasible option is to run it along the back and thread it over the dividers. It should work out fine, but I'll keep a close eye on things to make sure they're getting the warmth they need.

I'm sure it'll work out fine. Thanks for all the help, everyone!

 

[jblayza]

Is there a way you can notch out the back of the dividers and use one long strip on the bottom instead of multiple strips?