Let me hear you ideas to heat my 46" x 3' x 2' vivarium iyo

[VEXER19]

Big vivarium and wanna hear what you all think will be the best way to heat it when it is finished. Just tired of looking so I'm consulting the experts...lol. Thanks.

[strikerball21]

32000 btu heater LOL

[h&tmaster]

we have a 75 gallon tank, 48"longX18" deepx22"tall. screened tops. we have a large UTH on a rheostat under 1 side and a mini double dome over the other with 75 watt bulbs. 1 day bulb and 1 black heat. timers on the bulds change day to night at 630 p.m. and vica versa. sometimes we use towels over the screens to help stablize the heat and humidity. so far they stay pretty consistant with no intervention. we are BRAND NEW bp owners so this is all new, but this is whats working for our 53" baby! we plan on getting an actual thermostat soon to regulate temps better through the winter as it gets colder.

[Evenstar]

Well, I think I'd suggest a radiant heat panel. These tend to give off heat that spans a broader area. It heats the air so it'll heat the whole unit to a certain extent. There will be a warm side directly under the RHP and a thermal gradient as you move over to the cool side. With the proper sized RHP, the cool side should still be heated enough to remain within the proper temperature zone. With a vivarium of the size you're building, it's going to take a high wattage RHP. I wouldn't venture to guess on that - I'd discuss it with an expert. I like the RHPs from Reptile Basics and Rich can definitely help you determine what size you'd need.

If you need a warmer spot near the ground since the vivarium is so tall, perhaps you can combine the RHP with a UTH on the warm side. You would of course need a second thermostat or a dual-zone thermostat to operate both heating elements though....

[cmack91]

Well, I think I'd suggest a radiant heat panel. These tend to give off heat that spans a broader area. It heats the air so it'll heat the whole unit to a certain extent. There will be a warm side directly under the RHP and a thermal gradient as you move over to the cool side. With the proper sized RHP, the cool side should still be heated enough to remain within the proper temperature zone. With a vivarium of the size you're building, it's going to take a high wattage RHP. I wouldn't venture to guess on that - I'd discuss it with an expert. I like the RHPs from Reptile Basics and Rich can definitely help you determine what size you'd need.

If you need a warmer spot near the ground since the vivarium is so tall, perhaps you can combine the RHP with a UTH on the warm side. You would of course need a second thermostat or a dual-zone thermostat to operate both heating elements though....

i thought RHP's were more for hot spots than overall temps, they do put out good outward temps though? cause they seem to me like they would just direct it downward more than out

[kitedemon]

46 wide by 36 tall by 24 deep correct?

[VEXER19]

46 wide by 36 tall by 24 deep correct?

yes that is correct.

[mattchibi]

i thought RHP's were more for hot spots than overall temps, they do put out good outward temps though? cause they seem to me like they would just direct it downward more than out

If you get an appropriately sized RHP, it can raise ambient temps on the cool side as well as create a hot spot. (For example, my 4x2x1 pvc enclosure had a 12 by 15 inch radiant heat panel, and easily raised ambient temps on cool side to 77, hot spot to 93, and warm side to 83~, and my snake room is 68-70 in the winter time) With taller enclosures such as the viv the OP is talking about, I believe that using a UTH for a hot spot would be easier to control, and using either a bulb or a RHP to control ambients would work well.

Usually a RHP would be mounted one one side, but I've seen some people mount it right in the middle of the roof, and probably use it to control ambient temps.

If RHPS and Vivs were financially viable, I would get them for all my snakes Especially because they look so nice and give your snakes a "natural" living environment. Unfortunately for those of us who want to breed, this isn't economically viable.

[VEXER19]

i thought RHP's were more for hot spots than overall temps, they do put out good outward temps though? cause they seem to me like they would just direct it downward more than out

Cody, I was thinking the same thing about RHP. But was thinking since it kinda acts like a sun, if I got a big enough one it may heat the air but would definately need alot of UTH. And I know we talked about CHE but I just think to cover that size CHE to make it safe for Kira my be difficult or just ruin the look of the viv. I mean I could hide it if worst comes to worst but I just want as little hazards in the viv as possible. Keep the ideas coming though. I appreciate all your input. Maybe I should make a poll outta this once I get a few more opinons.

[VEXER19]

Looks like RHP with UTH is in the lead so far. Let me know if you all agree or disagree with this and why.