heat tape question

[strhunter2]

ok so im making my gecko rack and i got my heat tape today

its going on a plastic shelf, should i put some metal tape under the heat tape or just tape down the edges?

thanks,
strhunter2

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

I would recommend putting foil tape on the rack and the heat tape ontop of it, then tape the edges of the heat tape with the foil tape.

 

[Russellm0704]

I would recommend putting foil tape on the rack and the heat tape ontop of it, then tape the edges of the heat tape with the foil tape.

ive actually heard this before, whats the reasoning for doing this?(building my own rack pretty soon cuz im sick of buying ones on craiglist haha)

 

[Fencer04]

The shelf isn't going to get damaged so it isn't required but I would do it so that you get maximum heat reflection. The tape will no absorb any of the heat, it will reflect it and work more efficiently.

 

[GeckoCrossing]

The shelf isn't going to get damaged so it isn't required but I would do it so that you get maximum heat reflection. The tape will no absorb any of the heat, it will reflect it and work more efficiently.

Exactly why I do it