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Flexwatt questions

Flygning

Flygning

Axe'!
I'm building a "rack" system that consists of a wooden bookshelf, 4 20-gallon aquariums, and Flexwatt tape connected to a dimmer for heat. For those of you who have used Flexwatt, what is a good setup for the tape?

I was thinking I could use a square of the 11" tape for each tank, and just put the tape underneat one side of each tank like a normal heating pad. However, I'm not sure how hot this stuff gets, and I'm afraid it may be too much heat. How effective is your typical lamp dimmer for this sort of thing?

Another option is strips of either the 3" or 4" tape along the bottom of each tank. This would mean more connection sets and more cost depending on how many strips I would use. Would I lay the strips side by side, or seperate them by several inches, or what? While this would cost more, I wouldn't have to worry about it getting too hot for the snakes.

Any input y'all have got would be appreciated. Those are the options I have thought of, but if there are any better ideas I'm open to suggestions!
 
I use 3", 4", and 11" Flex-Watt in different areas. For temperature control, a dimmer works, but it must be monitored well in changing ambient temps. With only a 2 degree room temperature change I have seen over 5 degree change in the heat tape.
I like using the 11" on half of each of my 3 20L aquariums. I have 3 of those set-ups, all on one dimmer. I have them wired in parallel, because that's how it's designed to operate, if I am not mistaken.
While this would cost more, I wouldn't have to worry about it getting too hot for the snakes.
Click to expand...
If I understand correctly what you're saying here, this isn't correct in my experience. The 3 and 4 inch tape gets just as hot, if not hotter than the 11 inch. You would just have smaller areas of excessive heat.
I hope this helps a bit!
 
I have a series of 3" heat tape on my rack system. I have them wired in parallel and even with a dimmer set all the way down it was too hot. I wired in a diode that keeps the tape around 105 f, and the temp inside the containers around 88 f. Experiment and see what works. I have heat tape in other areas (another Rack and 2 shelves) and each heats differently depending on sq ft of heat tape, wiring ect.
 
I would use a 11" sheet on each tank.. A 20L is 30" long and the actual element on the 11" flexwatt is 10". That will give you the perfect thermal gragient. Also a thermostat will be alot better then a dimmer. If yo have temo flux in the romm then the temp will not be stable on the flexwatt. You an use one tstat to control all of those cages and more. 11" flexwatt is 20 watts per foot, anf the 3" is 10 watts with some companites carrying the lower watt 3". If you woul dlike to ask me any questions I will be more than happy to help you.. Thanks,
-Matt
 
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