Back or belly heat in shoebox rack?

I am inthe process of getting a rack for my baby corns and was wondering what the concenses is on heat. Back or belly. My herp room is heated with a oil filled raditor type heater, it stays around 75-80 at all times. Thanks,
-Matt

I decided to use back heat for my first rack but I will use belly heat the next time I build one.

My room stays about 75F in the summer but drops to just above 60F in the winter. Right now at 75F temps, the heat tape (at max recommended temp of 95F) is keeping the babies at 76-80F, but in the winter those babies are going to be mighty cold. I'll probably have to use a space heater in the winter.

Oh, and I'm using 4" heat tape, just so you know. If I had done it as belly heat, I would have used 3" heat tape.

I have heard of applying foil tape to the heat tape and the shelves to conduct some of the heat to the shelves, if the back heat isn't enough. I have yet to try that but it is something I will try before I settle for getting a space heater in the winter.

I've used both and do not believe that there is a noticeable difference.

Amanda~Space heaters are expensive to run~ try putting insulation on the back of your rack under the heat tape. Not sure if I know how to attatch a pic~ but you can purchase rolls of this thin alunimum insulation at the Hardware store (cost me $13 for a roll large enough to do two big racks) it really helps a lot to keep the heat in. I just used a staple gun to attach the insulation to the backer board~ then the foil tape (hardware store~ $8 I think) to attatch the heat tape to the insulation~ then put it on the back of the rack.

Good luck!

Right now i use back heat but i want to try a combination of both. See how they react to it.

from what i have seen belly heat is the way to go

I started with a shoebox rack and built it with back heat, after seeing that the heat wasn't very efficient I took the rack apart and routered a 1/8 inch deep 4 inch wide groove in the back of each shelf and glued the heat tape into it. I have been more satisfied with belly heat. Plus I like to let the snakes regulate their own temperature by giving them a gradient to choose from.

The only watch out with belly strips in racks is that the heat tape will begin to wear out over time from the tubs rubbing against it as they are remove or inserted. Make sure you inspect it regularly since damaged tape is what causes overheating and fire concerns.