heat cable on rack question

[imbrad2003]

Hi, I am about to build my first rack, I have done all my measurements and have gotten the wood cut but I was wondering about heating. I have used heat tape before but I was going heat the rack with heat cable.

Here's the question:

Do you need to run more than one cable on each shelf to heat the tub?

Any input would be appreciated............Brad.

 

[Halley]

Well it depends on what size tubs you have. I have 32-qt tubs for my adults, and I run heat cable for about 1/3 of the tub, passing it back and forth about 6 times for each tub.

Hope that helps.

 

[MonteQ's]

For the 6qts, I used two passes about 1 1/2" apart. Seems to be working just fine.

 

[imbrad2003]

Wow, that sounds like alot of cable. I am building a small unit to house about 12 geckos in individual tubs, it sounds like the heat tape would be more economical to heat that much space. I know there are people that swear by the cable but the heat tape can heat a larger area in one run. I am really confused now! anyone else with arguments either way?

Sorry I havent mentioned the size of the tub: they are the IRIS 12.2QT size (10 5/8 w x 16 1/8 L x 5 7/8 H )

 

[ataber]

I have 12.2 qt's heated by heat cable. I have 2 cables each run once per shelf about 1 1/2 inches apart. It does a good job and is usually set on low b/c it gets too hot sometimes. I think in the future I could do with just a single pass. Id say if you go much bigger in tub tho size you would need to have 2 passes or more.

 

[Halley]

Really the heat cable is much easier for me. Don't have to wire it; don't have to worry about it catching on fire. It comes in 52 feet ropes as well. Only 50 feet of it heat though, really it probably cost about the same. And I used heat tape once. Had one cage at 70, 2 cages down at 90, another 2 cages down 83, it was just extremely bad stuff. I would never use it again. Just save yourself the trouble, and go with heat cable, there is a reason people swear by it.

 

[imbrad2003]

Just wonderful! So it looks like my first experience with heat cable has turned out to a pain already. I ordered the 14.75 foot, 25 watt heat cable, zoo med from reptilesupply.com and didnt know that the first 6.5 feet is a cold lead (no heat). reptilesupply.com doesnt mention it on the description page. Now I have to buy the longer version to heat my rack (mini rack). anyone else ever run into this?..........Brad.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Yeah the 1st 2 heat cable strands I got were the shorter version and I didn't know about the cold lead. I am using the 150 watt 52 feet heatcable now. I have the 100 watt 25 feet as a backup in case something goes wrong. My Herpstat thermostat does an awesome job keeping my temps.