Back At It Again With The Noob Questions! Heat Editon

[mmindyhull]

Hello again!

Okay, so last time some wonderful people gave me enclosure advice. Now I need heating advice!
I really want to make sure my set up is stable before a beautiful creature is brought into the equation. The equipment list starts with the enclosure, which I plan on getting an Animal Plastics T8. With the t8, I plan on going with the flexwatt added option. Now, the next step is obviously a thermostat because thats the #1 rule with UTHs. For that, the Herpstat 1 is currently on the list. BUT, the UTH will supply belly heat and, from what I've read, not much ambient heat at all. So, the main question is: Will I need another heat source to bring up my ambient temps? If so, what is the most recommended for me? (By the way, I only plan on having 1 snake. Crazy to you I know, but just let me believe it for now. lol)

I live in Southern California, where the summers are VERY hot, and the winters are pretty cold I'd say. So the temps of the house range from about high 60's and low 70s in the winter, to high 70's low 80's in the summer. What are my options for the extra cold days in the winter? I've heard about Radiant Heat Panels, Ceramic Heat Emitters, and have seen even people talk about LEDS bringing the ambients up just a step more to make it perfect. I guess the goal here is, if i need another heat source for the winter, I'd prefer it to not break the bank. There are just so many possibilities! If i ended up getting a RHP ($90 for an 80 watt at RBI) I'd also have to get at least a Herpstat 2, to regulate both the UTH and the RHP. Same goes for the CHE, except with it id also have to get the 8" screen for the t8. Not sure about fluorescent lights or LEDs, as that information is hard to come by Also, are those safe for snakes? Don't they get a little too hot as well?. It would be even better if the UTH was enough, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Lol.

So, if anyone has any suggestions as to how I can boost those ambient temps as well as any other advice that would be awesome. There are just so many options and it seems difficult to find the correct combination. All in all, I am fully aware that whatever I decide on, my expectations might prove to be false anyway. Its all about what works for you personally, but its way better to have some insight to possibly get it right on the first try.

Thanks for all of the help so far. You're amazing.
-A Fellow Snake Friend

[spikell75]

I use a 80 watts and 2 40watts. One cages has the 80 and my other one has a 40 on each side. I live in new Hampshire and we get about 5 months of cold, the flex watt just wasn't enough. I also made my own thermostat. Till I can save up for something better like herpstat4 or new one I been researching herp keeper pro.

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[LittleTreeGuy]

Yes, you'll need another heat source. Period. The flexwatt does provide belly heat, but not much more, especially in an enclosure the size of a T8 (or even half of a T8, for that matter). In a 15qt tub, it's a different story. Here are the three options I would consider, if I were you:

1. 80w RHP (radiant heat panel). If you are using one open T8, this is the way to go.
2. 2 - 40w RHP's. If you are getting the divider with your T8, so your BP can start out in a portion of the T8 (you can move the divider as your snake grows - remember, smaller and/or more cluttered is better for bp's), then you can install a 40w rhp on either side of the divider. The plus side of this, if you're only using one side of the T8, you can just order one T8 for now, and get the other when you need it.
3. Get a heater and heat the room the snake is in to high 70's-mid 80's. In that environment, your flexwatt would probably be sufficient. Not ideal for most people.

LED's are great for show, but don't expect them to raise your temps at all. They don't put off enough heat to be considered for anything when it comes to heating. Some of the older fluorescent light fixtures would put off a tad bit of heat, and in a warm room, they could raise ambients a degree or two, but since they need to be off at night, it's not a good heat source to be dependent on.

Another solution could be ceramic heat emitters. These are a good source of heat, but would require you having a hole cut in the top of your T8 and this will make you go nuts getting your humidity right. I don't recommend it, but it is a solution that some use.

Now... thermostats... Like you said, if you want to run flexwatt and an RHP, you're going to need two thermostats. I run this same setup with a Herpstat 2 and could not be happier with it. Once my bp gets a little larger, I will most likely remove the divider in my T8, stop using the flexwatt, and just have my Herpstat 2 control my two 40w rhp's. One on the warm side, and one on the cooler side. The Herpstat line is expensive, but well worth it. I went with a cheap solution at first, and ended up coming back around and getting a Herpstat. I should have saved myself $50 and just went with it upfront. Since I got it, I have no worries.

Hope this helps.

[Rob]

You'll have to see what your ambient temps are once you get the t8 in. The ambients in my house with the small amount of heat off the fluorescents was perfect. I wouldn't stress yourself out, AP cages are pretty easy to maintain temps and humidity.


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[theskyturnsgrey]

If this helps you at all, im using the t8 with a herpstat and one 80 watt RHP and once i dialed in my hot side my cold side has achieved the perfect 10 degree gradient I was looking for. The t8 is very good at keeping heat and humidity, but depending on the ambient in the room and the temps you're trying to achieve I cannot say for certain this will be the case with your situation.

My advice would be to go with the 80 watt RHP and herpstat 1 and IF you need to supplement for the cool side you could do fine with an ultratherm uth and a cheap hydrofarm thermostat to boost it up to where you need to be. The herpstat 2 seems like it may be a bit of overkill but again, your ambient temp situation in the snake room will be the determining factor.