Heating options

So does anyone know of some good cheap heating options? I've just been buying mat after mat and its pretty pricey at around 20 bucks each. Been thinking about just getting those heating ropes, and just snaking it all over the place to heat a rack..

I've never heard of heat rope, which sounds like it could impede the point of a rack.

However, if you did build a rack like I plan to, you can buy flexwatt heat tape and generally whoever you buy it from will wire it the way you want. The way i'm going to do it, is about 7 pieces of 31" long by 4" wide strips wired together and then 6 18" long 4" wide strips wired together running them into (if money allows) a Ranco thermostat each that has a power strip wired in as the plug receivers (the female side of the plug). That way I can run my breeder 41 qt tubs on one thermostat, and the 31" strips for my hatching and juvie tubs on another.

Thats a wall of text, hope it makes sense haha.

Just my 2 cents out there. Just as a regulator i use for my incubators/heating pads i put together a few things to a light dimmer so it fits into the wall and then a little light socket screw with a electrical plug. Now all my stuff stays at a constant temp with just a little tweaking and a non-contact thermometer. Was about 9 bucks at walmart, without the thermometer =P

I use a light dinner now as well, but honestly it doesn't react o any change in the outside environment. With a thermostat, if it gets too hot in the room then the thermostat turns itself down. If it gets too cold the thermostat turns up. I feel it's a better way, because I worry about the fact that when Im cold u can make it so I'm warm. My animals can't.

Yea i guess my room doesnt change too much it stays pretty constant and my incubators insulation is thick enough that it doesnt effect my temp inside. But i see what your saying

I have two roommates who mess with the temp in the house all the time, lol.

There is heat cable. I use this one: http://zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=116&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=5

You loop it under the tank and it works great. Make sure it's covering 1/3rd of the tank floor.