Rack Heating Q

[satyr666]

I'm going to be building a melamine or plywood rack system. It will be located in my basement which has some cold temps especially in the winter. I will be closing off the back so the only open face is the front. I'm going to be putting heat tape down for belly heat, but I don't think this will be enough to raise ambient temps. If I added 11" strips of flexwatt running down the back of the rack do you think it will heat the ambient temps enough? Or should I just invest in a space heater for the room (would prefer not do to all the open space that would need heated). Or if I put doors on the front to contain the heat but then I would be worried about proper ventilation. Any thoughts? This is my first rack system I'm building so any input is appreciated.

 

[LZRDGRL]

I would go with the heat tape on the back. Space heaters are costly, raise your electricity bill fast, and can be dangerous. I almost burned down a room with one; it caught fire. You're right, putting front doors in wouldn't allow for good ventilation.

Chrissy

 

[satyr666]

Space heaters are costly, raise your electricity bill fast, and can be dangerous

Exactly the reasons I don't want one. Do you think with flexxwatt on bottom and back it will provide enough heat? My ambient temps are 66.5 right now so it's pretty cold. I'm going to build the rack so I can leave the lids on the tubs that may trap the heat a bit.

 

[Fencer04]

Your problem won't be the warm side it will be the cool one. I don't like my cool side to be less than 70 degrees and since there is no heat source on that side I can't imagine it staying at that temperature if the ambient temp is much lower than that. I don't know where you are located but the temp could be a major problem if you don't raise the temperature of the room.

I am looking at moving my animals to the basement but I will definitely need to put in either electric or normal baseboard heating. It isn't cheap to install or run but it is safe and effective.

 

[Thorgecko707]

Shutters for doors would help your problem. Similar to closet doors. Belly and back heat combined will help too.

 

[BrightReptiles]

You could run a second set of 11" heat tape for the cool side and set it at 70* then use a 3" set at the back set at 95*

 

[TranceZ]

I'd use heat cable.

 

[justindh1]

What I suggest is installing the appropriate sized heat tape on the bottom. 11" for adult racks and 4" for hatchling racks. After that, worry about the temps of the room. Fencer is right in saying that the temperature of the room should be what is addressed. I wouldn't put a gecko or any reptile, in a room that could fluctuate drastically. Too many what ifs when it comes to that. What if your heat tape goes out? You could wake up to a major devastation.