heat tape can kiss my butt

[goReptiles]

So a about a month or so ago, I moved my reptile room around, and the probe from the thermostat was off. I didn't notice it till I went to clean the tubs on that rack the following cleaning day, which was about 4 days later or so, and guess what.... It melted through about 4-5 tubs... I got lucky. I unplugged the rack and ordered more heat tape.

We fixed the rack up.

It's been a few weeks, maybe a month... Guess what... The probe hasn't moved and the thermostat is still working... I have a melted tub. It melted straight through the tub and the lay box inside the tub. I had dirt all over the place underneath the tube. Unplugged it again..

Time to buy more heat tape...

That rack is built for tape, so I'm not sure how to do the rope... Plus I'm still on the fence about the rope not getting quite as warm as I'd like.

I have another rack with heat tape that I've never had problems with.. I just don't get it...

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

i have the same issue with the flexwatt i have turned down the heat and still have had a few melted through tubs... i think maybe my thermostat is whack so im going to get a new one this weekend and new tubs and maybe new flexwatt. so i can see which was the issue the flexwatt not working correct or my thermostat is out of whack its a cheapy anyway and had it a long time. if its the flexwatt im going to let the bean farm know that they may have some defective flexwatt since thats where i got it from. i have a boaphile rack with flexwatt and no problems had it for 4 years now no melting tubs. so yeah im having the same issue im sure our electricial outages dont help but still it shouldnt cause melting. how is the rain comin? did u guys get any flooding? i hope not. ttyl

Danielle

 

[DarthGekko]

Do you put the probe on the heat tape? Also what type of thermostat?

I have to say that if the Thermostat is doing its job then the tubs should never get hot enough to melt, ever.

Try placing the probe directly over the heat tape and tape the base of the probe to the heat tape with foil tape and place a tub over it. I do this on all of my AP racks and the tubs never get over 92f on the floor. I have had problems when trying to place the probe on the shelving and not directly over the tape. I use Helix and Herpstat on the AP racks as well. Hope this helps...

 

[acpart]

This is why I don't use flexwatt. Consider Zoo-med heat cable. It heats just fine.

Aliza