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Rack Question?

Jay@PJCReptiles

Jay@PJCReptiles

"Quality Before Quantity"
I have just got done building 2 racks for our baby corns but I want to build another one for sub-adult/adults. On the racks I built for the babies I used FlexWatt heat tape and applied it to the shelves so the bins sat on top of the FlexWatt and it covered about 1/3 of the SterLite shoe box bin bottom. My question is this.... I have seen some other racks where the FlexWatt was applied to the back wall of the racks instead of being on the shelves. Will this be just as affective as having the heat tape applied on the shelves so the bins can rest on top of it as to the bins just coming up to it on the back wall? All replies would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Thanks,
Jay & PJ :cool:
 
Flexwatt on the back

of a rack....I can tell you from our experience that the flexwatt put on the back of the rack instead of on each shelf works just as well. We have three racks one has belly heat the other two have back heat. They are all on the thermostats to regulate the temperature. The rack with the belly heat stays at approx. 79.3 degrees, the racks with back heat is approx staying at 81.6 degrees. the front of each sterilite container is approx 8-12 degrees cooler on each rack. Hope this helps.
 
I have no experience with running it on the back, but I have read that some people have had to run it at it's maximum to maintain heat when run along the back. I would personally just run it on the bottom.
 
I like it run along the back better than underneath because I worry about sliding something over an electrical conduit repeatedly. I actually own both types~ but feel more confident about the back heat. A trick to keep the heat where you want it and reduce lost heat (higher electric bills) is to insulate the back with foil insulation first~ then put the heat tape on the insulation. Works great for me~ and no degradation of the electrical conduits!
 
For my 6 & 15qt bins (hatchlings-yearlings) I use back heat. For my 32qt adult racks I use belly heat. From experience, belly heat on larger racks is much more efficient though back heat on the smaller bins works great.
 
Hey Jay & PJ :wavey:

I was wondering, and maybe somebody knows that can answer, but if you used a thermostat, would it control it the same no matter what? I mean on back or under etc.? Wouldn't it run it long enough to reach the desired temp if you put the probes in the containers themselves, to measure the temp you want it to be inside them?

I don't use heat mats but I do see that the recommended way to use them it to adhere them to the back. Is the flex stuff like that? If so I would think it would work the same. Not sure though, it may be a totally different type of product. :shrugs:

P.S. When ya going to send me that link? lol. I want to see how you did it. I think that design was amazing. But now you have me thinking hmmmm, how many babies could I get in there???? lol Shhhh don't tell hubby I am thinking that way - he still isn't quite ok with the one yet lol
 
Hi Mom,
I have started it but I have to say I have been lagging a bit. I am in the Harley-Davidson business and riding season here business has been getting crazy so I haven't had much time to do my tutorial yet. It really shouldn't take that much longer I hope but as soon as I have it finished I willlet you know. Sorry for my tardiness..... :uhoh:

P.S. Oh yeah....duh!?! To answer your question. A thermostat will keep it at the constant temp. you want with any heating fixture as long as the probe is in close proximity to the heating element. You can put one of the probes inside one of the bins or I have mine taped right to the FlexWatt. I use a rheostat other then a thermostat and a digital thermometer to hold or adjust my temps. I keep my temps set right around 85 degrees and I do random inspections of the bins and test the temp inside them and they stay right around 79-82 degrees (part of tub over FlexWatt). The FlexWatt is a thin heating element that is coated in a clear plastic/laminate. It is not adhesive so most people use a sticky aluminum tape (usually used for seams in board form house insulation) that you can purchase at Home Depot to stick to any flat surface. You will see what I mean when I finish the tutorial. Hope this helped.
Jay & PJ :cool:
 
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