Does anyone use heat cable?

[Double LY]

I finally built two racks this weekend and bought zoo med heat cable for the heat source (too scared of flexwatt and my ability to wire something). Does anyone use heat cable? If so, how did you install it? Back or belly and how do you adhere it to the rack?

Thanks in advance for any info!!!!

 

[ataber]

I personally havent used it, but i would suggest belly heat. The best way in my opinion to do belly heat with heat cable is to router out a path for the heat cable to be set into. This will make it even with the surface of the shelf which will make sliding the tubs in and out much easier. This is at least the approach i have thought about taking when i build my next rack if i use heat cable, there may be other ways to do it though.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I use heat cable in all of my AP racks, and it is routed in to the back/bottom of each shelf.

 

[lytlesnake]

Routing into the shelf is the best way to use flexwatt too. Belly heat is preferable, though I do have one back-heated hatchling rack and it works fine, but for geckos I like belly heat best.

If you have enough space to slide your tub in over the heat cable, it will probably work okay un-routed, as long as you use enough electrical tape to secure it. At least temporarily this should be fine. Routing it into the shelf would be ideal though.

I just finished putting together a vision rack that uses the same heat cable last night. It does seem to work just fine. And that reminds me, gotta run to the hardware store and get a few extension cords right now. Oh, it sounds like I have to walk my huskies first. See ya!

 

[Double LY]

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping I wouldn't have to tempt fate with another power tool, but it looks like that is the best option. Cross your fingers that I come out with all my fingers still intact

 

[GeckoConnection]

I do..

I use the heat cable on my rack that I built. It is about 1/4 of the way from the back and is held down with metal tape (the kind they use on air condition ducts). I ran the tape over the cable where it is between the tubs. It took two passes of the cable. I attached it to a dimmer rheostat and at about half power I get 90-91 at the rear of the tubs. It took two lengths to do a 48t x 24w x 18d rackk.

 

[Double LY]

I attached it to a dimmer rheostat and at about half power I get 90-91 at the rear of the tubs. It took two lengths to do a 48t x 24w x 18d rackk.

That's good to hear - I am going to be using a Rheostat as well.

I went ahead and rented the router last night and am done with one rack. I routed two grooves along the back of each shelf and set the cable into them so the tubs will slide over the top. I have the 39 feet Zoo Med cable so it was enough to do one whole rack. Testing heat today - cross your fingers that it works. I stole Felicia's idea of the closet shelving for the rack itself. It was REALLY easy to put together - if I can do it anyone can. It looks nice and is MUCH cheaper than any commercial rack I've seen. I think we spent around $80 total for materials including the heat cable. I'll post pics once I finally get it finished.