I just received my 3 rack super 70 VE rack with 3 tubs and the heat tape that came with it doesn’t seem to be heating. I’m using a VE-100 thermostat and have increased it from 91 (enclosure was temping at 77) to 95, and it’s now temping at 82.
I did notice a small cut or tear in the edge of the heat tape when installing it, could that be the cause?
If anyone else uses this set up, do you use a secondary heat source?
Could it be because of your thermostat probe placement? From what I’m understanding is that your heat tape does work but isn’t heating to the thermostat’s setting? Is that correct?
I’d contact the manufacturer you bought your rack from to see what they may have to say and/or the company you bought the thermostat from.
Where is the cut located? If it isn’t damaging the black bars or the copper strips (or any other electrical components like the cables that are connected and the cable connection itself) it shouldn’t be affecting the heat tape.
I never had to use a secondary heat source for mine.
If you have the probe set in one of the precut channels I would just tape it to the heat tape instead. It’s much more accurate. I did have to run mine at 92-95 because of the tub thickness though to make sure the bottom of the tub was running 88.
If you are taking the temp of the substrate surface, I would recommend taking the tub bottom that way there’s not a risk of it being too warm if the snake burrows down.
As @cmsreptiles said, unless the copper foil or black lines are cut there shouldn’t be an issue. You can even just try temping the rest of the tape just to make sure. I would worry about the potential for extra wear and tear damage to occur over time with that cut. You always want to make sure to check your heat tape for damage from tubs rubbing on it regularly
What are the ambient air temps in the room where the rack is located?
I am using the VE Super 70 for my 1+ year boa grow outs. I have found that to achieve surface temps (temp gun checked) in the tubs approx. 86-87F I have to set the thermostat to 92F. The air temp at the warm end of the tubs (per govee wireless therm/hygro) runs cooler in the 81-82F range.
The air temp in the tubs is dependent on the time of year and the subsequent ambient temps of my room. My room temps are currently 72-73F so the warm end is running cooler at this time of year. In the summer when the ambient temp in my room is 77-78F the air temps at the warm end of the tub stay around 85-86F.
You will see variation in temps from top to bottom in the rack as well since heat rises.
Its from the outside edge into one of the black bars and copper. I contacted the manufacturer and am waiting to hear back.
because I have 6 che’s going at all times in this room that is 11’ x 11’ it stays at about 77 degrees with AC running because it’s my computer room too. At night it can get up to 80 easily, which makes it easier to heat overall.
Thanks for the response, I’m currently just on paper since the snakes in the rack just arrived and are in quarantine, so I think I’m getting a pretty accurate reading.