Heating Tape

[Tihsho]

So I'm working on modifying a rack I got from HomeDepot into a reptile rack. Does anyone have a preference to heat tape out there? Is there a brand thats easier to use then another/more reliable?

[Jenn_06]

i get mines from Reptile Basics and they ship really fast most of my orders i get in about 3 days.
Heating - Reptile Basics Inc (http://www.reptilebasics.com/heating/)

[NennaMeerkat]

How does heat tape work exactly?

[Tihsho]

How does heat tape work exactly?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the way heating tape works like any electric heater. A current is pushed through a highly resistive material so it is turned into heat, some electronics use thermistors (resistors) to heat up a device to work at X temp. In the case for this heating tape, the thin conductive filament is doped, has low conductive materials added, to cause heat to be produced as a current passes from the wall socket.

[Tihsho]

Jenn - Thanks for the link! I'll definitely look into them.

So ladies an gents, since this is my first experience with a rack system its time for the preliminary sketches of what I plan on doing... Before I decide on the dimensions I just want to clarify the best heating option with the tape.

The following images are is if you were looking from the shelf from its side, with the side removed. The heating tape is located towards the back.

Heat each shelf individually under the storage bins?
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff513/tihshho/Heating1.png

Heat each shelf together but behind the bins?
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff513/tihshho/Heating3.png

Heat the back and bottoms of each bin?
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff513/tihshho/Heating2.png

Also, for those with experience with heating tape, do you lose heat as the tap gets further from the power source? Or is it fairly constant through out the strip?

[NennaMeerkat]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the way heating tape works like any electric heater. A current is pushed through a highly resistive material so it is turned into heat, some electronics use thermistors (resistors) to heat up a device to work at X temp. In the case for this heating tape, the thin conductive filament is doped, has low conductive materials added, to cause heat to be produced as a current passes from the wall socket.

And you can cut it up or does it have to remain in one long strip? I have honestly never heard of heating tape! This to me is an interesting item. Would it work better than a UTH or a heating light above?

[Tihsho]

It can be cut to any desired length, but has to maintain the width that its sold (so a 4" wide strip must stay 4".) It is a UTH option, but for rack systems tends to be cheaper and a little easier to use. As heat rises its one of the best options along with a heating pad. But in the case of heating pads that cost $12-30 per pad (and don't forget take up an outlet of their own) these strips are around $3-5 per foot of varying widths. So if you have more then one snake kept in a tote rather then for show in an aquarium this IMO is the cheapest and easiest way to go. Plus one long strip can be regulated by a thermostat.

[Lankyrob]

I may be wrong but my thought is that a UTH is just heating tape prepackaged into a "pad" shape. If you look a tthe UTH you can see the filament running up and down through the pad.

[Jenn_06]

i love heat tape but you HAVE to have a Thermostats you cant just plug the heat tape in to the wall if you do that you are going to kill your snake. heat tape can get really hot.

you can cut heat tape but it cant be less then a foot there is a doted line to show you where to cut.