what size Flexwatt

[Ccrashca069]

Bean Farm has a few different sized flexwatt. I am sure I need the 3 or 4 inch stuff. The morning temps in the house curantly get to about 57 inside when I check the temp between 5am-6am. During the day the temp gets to around 70. The 3 inch is 10 watts per foot and the 4 inch is 8 watts per foot.
I am installing it in a dresser that I am converting into a small rack.

So do I order the 3 inch 10 watt per foot or the 4 inch 8 watt per foot? I will be using 6 quart shoe boxes and 15 quart sweeter boxes.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Ccrashca069]

hmmmmmmmmmmm 10 views and no commets yet. Ok all you make your own rackaholics where are you? :main_laugh:

 

[PaulSage]

I prefer the 4" heat tape, but in all honesty, either one would work. I like the lower wattage because if something were to go haywire, it won't get as hot as the higher wattage tape. Even at your room temperatures, I would think that the 4" would be plenty warm enough. My Herpstat NDs usually have the heat tape running at only 25-30% to maintain adequate belly heat temperatures.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thank You Paul Sage.

 

[paulnj]

While I use 3" because I started with that and want uniformity, Paul has valid points. Also you have one more inch of heated sureface, which would be better IMHO in adult size racks.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thanks Paul. I was surprised in all the sized they had. I called and got a recorded message and it was during bussiness hours so they must have been busy. My first instinct was the 4inch but I wanted to be sure.

 

[liljenn]

Great question, John! I was going to ask the same thing, since I just remodeled a dresser into a rack too & my temps are about 67 in the morning. As of right now, I only have one leo in it & using a small heat cable just for him. I am going to add the flexiwatt soon, so I can have MORE!

I would LOVE to see pics when you're done!! What thermostat did you decide on??

 

[yellermelon]

I also use 4 inch for the reason of the wattage.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Well I just saved alot of money buying a few things like the foil tape at Ace Hardware. Foil tape $4.78 compared to $19.00 ........... I bought most of my tubs eight 6 quart tubs and four 12 quart tubs for now. Everywhere was out of the 16 quart tubs. It was pretty half and half on the thermostat and I got possitive feed back about both of them. So basicly I am still deciding on that lol