Heating Racks

[Retribution Reptiles]

OK well i know that there are tons of these threads but i have yet to find one that could help me out.

I'm looking into getting an AP rack system, i was going to use the heat tape as the source of the heating but i'm having issues with trying to figure out what kind of thermostat to use. I have see on AP's site for Helix and Spyder Herstat i think it's called.

After all that here comes the question, what would be needed to control temps as well as if i'm looking at say 10 shelves how many would i need?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[LeapinLizards]

Depends on how long the shelves are. I assume you will be using flex watt heat tape? If so, the 3" heat tape is 10 watts per foot.

For example, my rack is 3.5' wide.
3.5(feet) x 10(watts per foot) = 35 watts per row

I have 12 rows, so:
35(watts per row) x 12(rows) = 420 watts for my WHOLE rack

Therefore, I got a 500 watt Herpstat Thermostat to control my whole rack.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

i was soooooo hoping that you would reply Heather. I knew you just built yours and would have the info. But is there a certain one i should buy or does it just depend upon size of rack and footage of heat tape used?

 

[LeapinLizards]

Well aren't you just lucky I have no life outside of gecko forums

Everyone has their preferences If that is what you mean! I have heard nothing but good things about Herpstats, and that is why I went ahead and spent the $100, and am now sure I won't have any big problems in the near future.

The maximum wattage of the thermostat is obviously something you'd need to check into. When I bought my Herpstat from www.thebeanfarm.com it is stated in their information about each thermostat what the maximum wattage is.

 

[jmlslayer]

Ap racks come with heat cable so all youll need is a thermostat

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Does anyone have an AP Iris rack system that has better pics then what is provided on AP's website? I know i ask a lot but it's always better to be fully or as fully informed as one can get.