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ok so im building a 10 high 28qt rack. my original plan was to router out a 4inch, 16th of and inch deep slot for the heatape to sit recessed and weave it throughout. but that takes alot of time and dont want to deal with this junky router i have or anything like that. so i found some 17inch heattape on thebeanfarm.com. i was just wondering how well back wall heat will do in a 72 to 75 degree room?? it will have to heat the tubs to around 90 degrees or so for ball pythons. so any opinions will help me! thanks!

Collin- Back heat sucks! It is a waste of heat and electricity..

You dont need to Router the boards, Heat Tape is thin enough to be used on the board but a few things need to be done to ensure the animals stay safe..

1) when applying the Heat Tape it needs to be Flat against the boards and tight all the way across..
2) The Heat Tape needs to be affixed with GOOD "Flashing Tape" which is metal tape. Affix both sides of Heat Tape with
the Metal Tape but do not cover the whole Heat Tape. An inch or so on each edge of the Heat Tape.
The 17 inch Heat Tape is Way to much though, the 4 inch Tape in my opinion is the safest and all you need to get the temp gradient you want. The Metal tape also needs to be set and made sure there is no edges or bubbles for the tubs to catch or you will need to keep replacing it..
3) A GOOD Thermostat!! I dont like Heat Tape! A GOOD Thermostat is the only way to go and should ensure your snakes are safe and more importantly your House is safe!

I for one prefer Zoo Meds Heat Cable, I have been using it for a couple years now and even on a larger tub it will hold the heat just as well as Heat Tape and is a whole lot cheaper! A router will be needed for Heat Cable though, But you will only need to Router a 1/4" wide ridge down the edge of the board, Well 2 Edges for a 28 QT Tub so you have 2 lines of Heat Cable. A 50 foot heat Cable costs less than $50 and can be used with a cheap Rheostat with NO concerns!

Another vote for zoo-med heat cable.

Aliza

Add another vote for zoo meds heat cable . I been using it for few years for my make shift leo rack and love it.. On a side note it appears exo terra makes there own heat cable now.

well if theres no concern of the heat tape wearing if installed properly 4inch belly heat it is
sean- the only reason i wanted to use the 17inch heat tape is so that the heat would cover the whole back of the tub. if using back heat
so back to my original plan 4 inch belly heat weaved throughout

i have had great success heating with heat tape. just my opinion and i ALWAYS use a good thermostat. the one i have now is a johnson, prewired from reptilebasics and it holds temps great!

Johnson is a great choice.
Heat Tape or Heat Cable Im glad your taking the time and Money to put into your reptiles. Most young people just wanna have the animal and not worry so much about the rest! Kudos Collin!!

Exxo Terra does make a Heat cable as well, I havent had the pleasure yet. I have not heard anything about it either which surprises me. Heat Cable has been used for many years in Europe from What I understand. Im moving to Europe so I can keep what I want where I want and When I want!! LOL

exactly sean. that is what makes me mad. why get a reptile without being able to provide the right things for it

ahhhhhh! now i just got to get this danm mite problem gone. found a few more!

Collin,
I am currently running both heat cables and heat tape under many of my racks. Heat tape in adult racks, cable in baby racks. I like both and either way you go is very effective in creating a heat gradient. I would only add that if you go with the heat tape, I find that individual strips for each level works better than one really long strip woven through all of the levels. You will get better heat distribution and greater flexibility within the rack (i.e. put different levels on different thermostats or unplug some levels to vary the heat from level to level). Reptile Basics will cut to length and add the wiring for free (still have to purchase the plug, but you would anyway). A little annoying to have all of the plugs to deal with, but done right, you can tuck all that neatly behind the rack and plug it all into a power strip connected to your thermostat.

Heat cables are now made by Zoo Med, Hagen (which is ExoTerra) and also Hydor, an Italian company that in my opinion makes the best heat cable. They also make a great little digital thermostat that works awesomely along with the cable.

Just my two cents. Good Luck.

-Adam

adam- thankyou for all of the suggestions but i reallt dont want to deall with buying all the cords clips insulators etc. one big piece is the way i think im going. very good ideas though. thankyou!