Belly heat versus back heat????

Ok I will admit it now, I am a moron!! We built our first rack this evening, and I was quite proud of our acheivement until we realized that our tubs were very tight, and we haven't installed the heat tape yet. I am not taking this thing apart, and it looks like my only option is to heat the back. After putting out almost $75 bucks on materials, I am most likely going to use it, but will back heat be enough to keep my leos warm and happy??? I know that belly heat aids in digestion, but can my leos thrive with back heat?

Thanks
Tony

make sure you have a temp gradient and you should be ok. I use almost everything BUT belly heat for my leos.That is a whole other thread!
You could also use a router to make a channel to run the heat tape if you really want belly heat.

Yeah but the router would require taking the damn thing apart! I guess it wouldn't be too big of a deal since all I have to do is unscrew the shelves, but I would hate to do so. I have seen back heat used for snakes at some of the reptile shows I have been at, so I imagine it would be ok for leos.

just stick a piece of slate or rock like tile in the back and check the temp of the rock. (do you have a infared temp checker?)
It will probably be fine!

If you ever build another one, I suggest you screw in your bottom first shelf, then you put your bin on the shelf, then you put a piece of peg board or 1/8 plywood on top of that, then your shelf that goes on top of that...... Clamp them together, make sure they are square, the screw that shelf in...... Continue this all the way to the top...... You are not a moron, it was your first attempt.... Back heat should be fine but I would rather have belly heat..... Nocturnal animals use belly heat in the wild most of the time..... They will use rocks that have been heated by the sun during the day.....

I prefer to give mine tummy heat. It helps them go to the bathroom regularly without having to be stressed in warm water for several minutes. When they get too hot, they just go elsewhere.

Wanda

Man I feel your pain. Everytime I build something I have to take it apart and do something to it...It just makes you so feakin mad and frustrated...Do what I did get ahold of Casey Hulse and buy a rack...lol..As for the back or belly. I just received my first rack with back heat and have to admit I was afraid it wouldent get hot enough. I pluged it without a thermo and in 15-20 min it was almost 100 degrees in the back of the tub. I prefer belly heat for boids and such but have to admit I amsold on back heat for leos and coulbrids...
-Matt

I find that my Leos poop regularly with great conditions, proper diet, and overhead heat. Most are kept in bins on heat tape, but I have a few in tanks (the pet Leos) that have overhead heat. I've never had to warm soak them to get them to poop.
I'm sure if I did it would be a result of improper husbandry and not if it was belly or top heat. They are all great poopers.

It helps them go to the bathroom regularly without having to be stressed in warm water for several minutes.

I have no idea what the hell you are saying! But I am laughing my ass off!