more heat tape ?s

[cornsnakekid92]

hey i was wondering how thinck heat tape do u guys use and if i order 2 feet or it does it come in 2 one foot pices or 1 two foot pice?

 

[Chris Steele]

Heat tape or Heat pads (UTH)? I wouldn't order the heat tape, get it from a hardware store. I'll be listening for the information you find too though, because I am soon to purchase some heat tape for a rack system.

While I'm here, I have a question too. How much of the bottom should be covered by a heat pad on a 20g? 10g? Thanks.

 

[CAV]

Good luck on finding it in a hardware store.

Thickness depends on application. Is it for one tank or a rack? The tape come in a long piece that they cut to make your order. Be advised that the tape is a couple of dollars a foot but the shipping will bump that up quickly. If your going to order some, I'd suggest ordering more than just a couple of feet to make it worth your while.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

Good luck on finding it in a hardware store.

Thickness depends on application. Is it for one tank or a rack? The tape come in a long piece that they cut to make your order. Be advised that the tape is a couple of dollars a foot but the shipping will bump that up quickly. If your going to order some, I'd suggest ordering more than just a couple of feet to make it worth your while.

o i know i will prolly get a lot, i am making a rack system and like when i order x amount of feet does it come in one long strip or does it come in a bunch of 1 foot picies

 

[CAV]

It will come in one long piece.

 

[SnakeLuvrs]

whats the benefits or tape vs UTH or heat pad?

 

[CAV]

It is easier to heat larger sized or multiple unit enclosures, such as a rack system.

 

[graffixcs]

If you order say 10 feet of tape it will come as one 10 foot length unless you ask for individual sizes. It is easy to cut on your own. If you can solder wire you can do it yourself, or most online suppliers will do the joints for you for a minimal cost.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

but if u just cut up a 10 foot length wont it expose the heating element or is there a gap with just plastic every foot?

 

[CAV]

The tape is a continuous piece of plastic film in which the heating element is embedded. The two metal strip that turn the electrical current into heat are only about as thick as aluminum foil. The 11" width is the only one that must be cut on a one foot interval.

Here's a photo that shows the tape up close.

 

[graffixcs]

11 Inch flexwatt has a space between elements every foot, but 3 inch is continuous with (approx) 1/4 inch gap between elements. Trust me, it is a lot easier than I make it sound.
For the end you cut, electrical tape will cover it sufficiently. Unless you have the basic electrical skills (for want of a better term) I would pay the few dollars to have the connections done before shipping. Then all you have to do is tape it into position, fix your thermostat and adjust, job done.

Please note I said thermostat, heat tape of any type MUST be controlled, even UTH's.

Good luck, keep asking if you require more information, It is smarter (and better for your snakes) to ask before you cause easily avoided mistakes.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

o i know i have gonna get a tempo gun and a make a retrostate, there is a how to thread floating around i have read. one more thing is.... on the 3 inch after u cut it, is it nessasary to cover the entiry cut egde with e-letric al tape? and what sizes do you guys use for rack systems?, if it helps and i just use a UTH for mine now during 3 seasons and during winter i use a lamp also when needed

 

[jbkd]

I am also in the process of building a rack and was wondering where most folks place the temp probe for the thermo? And what temp setting do you use?

 

[CAV]

Instead of answering each question.............

Just about everything asked in this thread can be found here.