Best way to heat this cage?

[Mothwitchery]

[IMG][/IMG]

So.. I found a used herpcage at the pet store by me for $40, so I picked it up. It's not the one with the top vent, just on the back. I put a UTH on the bottom and Cyprus substrate, but my BP moves it around a lot and her belly was looking a little pink like she was starting to get burned.. Humidity is also staying about 90% since the bedding out of the bag is damp.. Trying to air it out some daily so it's not too moist. I moved the snake into another enclosure till I can get the heat more stable. Can't install a thermostat without drilling a bunch if holes etc.. There has to be an easier way..

I really like the style of these cages and was considering purchasing more and stacking them.. But wanted some input on how best to heat them. I've got an infra-red thermometer ordered.. But not sure exact temps on the cage bottom.. Just warmer than is probably good :/

[Pyrate81]

All the cages I've seen like this are either pre-drilled for the wires or people drill them post purchase. If it does not have a hole in the top for a lamp, then the 2 best methods are radiant heat panel(rhp) or UTH. The best IMO is rhp. Mind you a rhp or uth NEED a thermostat to prevent burning the snake. Did you have one attached to your UTH?

[Mothwitchery]

I didn't have a thermostat for this UTH. May end up doing a heat panel instead.. Just trying to figure out if I should bother buying more of these

[Pyrate81]

I('m gonna say that was probably why it looked like your snake was starting to get burned.

Before you do buy a heat panel, make sure you have a thermostat to regulate it. If it goes unregulated, you'll have a high possibility of baked python for dinner one night.

When I got my UTHs, I tested them on the enclosure before regulating and putting the animal inside and it got up to 120 degrees F against the glass. I think there is also a thread about it somewhere. But anyway, it was just a test to show me how hot it would get and I was not about to chance something that hot frying my snake. Rhps will do the same thing I think, someone with rhp xp will hopefully chime in on this.

I'll be switching from glass tanks to PVC cages when tax time comes and I'll be using rhps. currently researching which thermostat I'm gonna get, probably 2-3 herpstats.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Rhps still need to be regulated with a thermostat.

[bcr229]

http://www.reptilebasics.com/radiant-panel-faq Also if you use the RHP you have to drill additional holes for the screws that attach it to the top.

[norwegn113]

Exactly how big is that cage? It looks kinda small to be using a RHP. I personally would use a UTH controlled by a good thermostat such as a herpstat for a cage like that.