Building rack - Heat tape vs Heat wire/cable

[drag13honda]

As my leopard gecko collection continues to grow, I found myself looking for more of a space saving alternative to the tanks I had been keeping them in. I've come up with a general idea on how i want to build my rack - the only question i have left is heating.

Is there a preference / advantage to heat tape vs wire/cable?

I'll be using multiple shelf/layers of wood shelves with plastic tubs, if that makes any difference.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

well most people prefer heat tape, and it is easier, so you dont have to snake it all over the place, and i think itll be harder to slide the tubs with heat cable.

 

[drag13honda]

I met one of the local breeders here and was given a tour of his set up. He was using heat cable, he just took a saw and inset the cable into the shelves. That's simple enough, so i don't mind doing that. But if Heat tape has definite benefits, i'll go that way instead. Just curious on other people's opinions so i can decide which route i'd rather take.

Thank you for your response. One vote for heat tape

 

[Knytemare]

i only have 2 leos but i built my own rack cause i plan on getting more. Ive seen people use heat tape and weave it in and out of the shelves to cover every level which you could do that, or if you reeeeallly want which would be messier just have a heat tape for every level.

 

[drag13honda]

Yeah, I definitely want to keep it as clean (less wires) as possible. looks like 2 votes for heat tape. thanks for your response

I was doing some reading on here in the meantime and saw multiple people mention heat tape can create hot spots and overall less evenly distributed/accurate. Any comments on this?

 

[ZombiGecko]

Im using heat cable for mine(getting it made for me, should have it tomorrow!) but as for heat cable, you just make a rout for the cable to fit into so its even with the wood so there isnt any trouble sliding the tubs in and out. Ive heard horror stories about heat tape so I'm not even trying it :/ Im VERY paranoid like that though. Its all personal preference

 

[TranceZ]

I use heat cable for my racks. Works wonders! But it can be spendy!

 

[Russellm0704]

Heat Tape has always worked well for me. But you have to realize that most the people who prefer heat tape usually have never tried heat cable. This is the case for me. So it's not really fair for us to say one is better when most have only tried heat tape.I personally wanted to go with cables except we don't have the right tools to route a channel in each shelf

 

[forgivenick]

Do you guys who use heat tape also use a router/saw to recess the tape slightly below the surface of the rack shelf or do you just tape it down with that foil tape?
I am using some Iris bins with the 4 feet on them and want to make sure I have a durable setup where the heat tape doesn't get jacked up and become a safety issue.

 

[LBsLeos]

I have heat tape in my rack and love it. I have mine taped down with foil tape and have no issues sliding tubs in and out. The heat tape still looks and works like brand new with no wear issues after 3 years. I have not had any problems with hot spots either my temps are consistent throughout my rack. I think if it is installed correctly you should have no issues. I will say that I have never used heat cable so I cannot compare experiences.

 

[forgivenick]

I have heat tape in my rack and love it. I have mine taped down with foil tape and have no issues sliding tubs in and out. The heat tape still looks and works like brand new with no wear issues after 3 years. I have not had any problems with hot spots either my temps are consistent throughout my rack. I think if it is installed correctly you should have no issues. I will say that I have never used heat cable so I cannot compare experiences.

Thanks!
Do you have the foil tape completely covering the top along the length of the heat tape, or just a few pieces of foil tape across it to hold it down in places along the strip of heat tape?

 

[LBsLeos]

Thanks!
Do you have the foil tape completely covering the top along the length of the heat tape, or just a few pieces of foil tape across it to hold it down in places along the strip of heat tape?

I run thin strips of foil tape down each side of the heat tape to leave the hot surface of the heat tape exposed. This also keeps the edges of the heat tape covered so that they dont catch on the tubs. I found that if you completely cover the heat tape it significantly drops the temps in the tubs and I was not able to keep them warm enough. I keep my tubs now around 94 degrees on the hot side and my geckos have been very happy and healthy at that temp. I use a herpstat thermostat to control temps in rack and I have been very happy with it as well. I use herpstat 2 for my incubators and love it as well.

 

[forgivenick]

Perfect. Thanks again.
It would be great to see a couple images of your rack and incubator setups.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

My rack system is homemade but I purchased it from the guy who made it. It uses heat tape and a dimmer switch for temperature control. Someday when I figure out electricity or my father comes to visit (he's an electrician!) I plan to switch out the dimmer for a thermostat. The heat tape is connected using pieces of an extension cord and insulators. It is held down with foil tape. I've used it for about three years and it seems to work fine! Heat tape is kept at about 93 degrees and the inside of the boxes is about 90 in back and about room temperature (70-75 degrees) in front. I also attached pictures of how I have the small and large boxes set up.

I'm thinking of making a second smaller hatchling rack in the near future and really like the idea of using cord. Thanks for the interesting thread!

Whole Rack:

Small Box (12qt) - you can see the heat tape in the back:

Large Box (28qt):

 

[GodzillaGecko]

Coolwhip and mealies what a combo. LoL no seriously thats a pretty cool rack system. Simple and easy. I'm still debating if I want to try breeding leo's or not. I have a old shelf I could probably use as a rack system. I'll have to check it over and make sure its in good shape.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I've seen a lot of folks talking about using the Pax wardrobe from Ikea (approximately 39"x23"x93") to make a rack. Looks like the wardrobe frame is about $100 and then $10/shelf (number depends on how high you want the shelves) + bins and heating. I Googled it and most of the images that came up look super nice but if they're not more than $100 cheaper than the animal plastics ones I might save myself the hassle (and potential for disaster) and pick up one of those.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

You could probably also find old furniture at garage sales or thrift stores. Just check it over before you by and then use a non toxic sealer after you wash it down a few times with some bleach and water (You never know what those people who owned it did. They could of rubbed their crotches on it for all you know). So there is always that option. And yeah those plastics are pretty expensive. But a lot of the material you can get cheap if you shop around and build it yourself.