Back heat?

[StatikStepz]

I'm building a new hatchling rack and modeling it after the Vision 72 tub hatchling rack. I'm doing this one a bit different than all the other racks, though. The other racks I have built, I have used heat cable as the heating element and set it under them for belly heat. This time, I'm going to try heat tape, but due to the shelves being about 4" apart, and 18 levels of them, it might prove to be a little difficult to do the heat tape as belly heat, because there will be so many outlets... 18 of them, and won't be able to connect them all to a thermostat. So I was going to try to do the heat tape across the back and do back heat... This way, I could just do 4 rows of heat tape going str8 down the back wall... There are 4 tubs on each shelf, so one strip of heat tape for each vertical row of tubs.

I have never used back heat before, so what are the thoughts on this? I know belly heat is required for geckos, so will this affect growth rates or anything by affecting the rate food is digested....? Things like that? Or would it still be just as fine?

Thanks!

 

[robin]

back heat it all i use. i love it. best way to go in my opinion. i have been using it for the past 7 years. if gives you a heat spot and still you get a great gradient

 

[Northstar Herp]

Not that it helps you or anything, but I'm building a small rack even as we speak, and I'm running the heat tape vertical up the back wall. It sounds like a great idea to me, that way you don't have to worry about rubbing through the heat tape and roasting your entire collection.

 

[Mel&Keith]

I think that belly heat is a better option for people in colder climates but it's so hot down here that we only use back heat. Heat tape on the bottom can be overkill when you can barely keep the room temp 80F. Be sure to post progress pics!

 

[StatikStepz]

Thanks guys! Thats exactly the answer I was looking for! I guess I was trying to see if the heat gradient inside the tub would still be the same... and with that, would come proper heat for the gecko's digestion, and in turn growth rate would still be optimal. All the rest of my racks are belly heat, and with heat cable, so I was curious about heat tape, cuz I wanted to make this one a bit nicer, without heat cable being seen looping in and out of it... Want it nice and clean looking. Thanks! Back heat it will be then!

And Mel, I will try and post some pix up in the next day or 2!

 

[Adinar]

Back heat with 4 stips is exactally how I have our rack set up. It would've been way too difficult trying to get it set up for belly heat the way it's built and how the hatchling part is sectioned off.

No issues really, but we do have a few that are being stubborn and not eatting. I don't think it's anything to do with their heat, they're just not used to being in bins.

 

[TripleALeos]

My hatchling rack holds 20 tubs. 5 shelves of 4 tubs. I have back heat on mine. I ran 2 vertical rows of 11" flex watt. It covers almost 3/4 of the back of each tub. Temps are great and the babies are growing like weeds..