Alternate methods for heating a rack

I have a rack system that I am having a difficult time heating. I have heat tape, but am having a difficult time creating a warm enough hot spot through even a thin layer of coco substrate.
Does anybody have any suggestions for creating a basking spot? The tubs are deep enough to accommodate a light fixture, although I am hesitant to attach electrical fixtures directly to a plastic tub.
Any ideas?

Have you insulated the rack? I try to wrap my racks in insulation since it will help hold the heat in. Also what do you have the hot spot set to?

No it is not insulated. It is a standard rack with PVC shelves heat tape on the shelves, boards on the side to hold it together. The room is heated, though. Ambient heat is ok, I just need a hot spot. Thermostat is set to 100, having a hard time getting the hot spot much above 80.

Are the tubs curved so that there is a large air gap between the floor of the tub and the heat tape? If so have you tried putting a book in the tub on the hot spot to simulate the weight of the snake, and then take the temperature a while later?

The tubs are sterilite, and have a slight rib on the edges. However I do not have this problem with newspaper; coco fiber is apparently not very conductive.
Do you have any ideas for installing a safe heat lamp?

Originally Posted by Herpin Man

Do you have any ideas for installing a safe heat lamp?

I don't and I don't think a heat lamp is a good option as the plastic starts to melt at a fairly low temperature compared to the temperature of the heat lamp housing.

I think you'd be better off going back to paper substrate over the heat tape area, and you could use coco fiber on the cool side. That's what I do in the winter to keep humidity up - my house gets very dry - except I use cypress mulch not coco fiber on the cool side of the tub.

Yes, I may do just that.

I've had this problem before, I was just forced to go back to paper towels. You can try not covering the side where the heat tape is under. Or just use coco fiber during the summer, if it gets hot enough in your area. I know everything I said was kinda just went over but I had to point out I have the same problem with my bigger belly heat (holdback) racks, not really the same issue with my hatchling back heat rack.