Good Idea or Bad Idea?

[mmindyhull]

Hello! So I have my eye on a BP and have these things on the way or are being ordered.

1. Animal Plastics T8 with divider.
2. Herpstat 1
3. 40 Watt RHP
4. Accurite Thermometer
5. 2 Hides, Water Dish, Fake plants, etc.

So, I only have 1 RHP for the one side of the T8 because I'm only going to have one snake. The other side will stay empty (or ill use it for storage) until the BP grows into it. Then, depending on temps, I will most likely swap out the 40 watt for an 80 watt for the full size of the t8.

My question is, is it okay for the other side of the t8 to be empty (without heat)? Will it cause any temp problems?

I dont imagine it could be much of an issue, but when asking Ali if AP could install the 40 watt for me on the one side, she mentioned that I have a divider, so i might want to go with two rhps instead of one. I definitely trust Ali, so I was second guessing my plan. Lol.

Any advice is appreciated!
Mindy

[EL-Ziggy]

I would go with the 80w RHP even if you're only using 1/2 the enclosure. That way you can use the same RHP when your BP grows into using the whole cage. Why buy another RHP later? Having the second half of the enclosure empty won't be an issue.

[mmindyhull]

I didn't think that the 80 watt would fit in half of the t8. I havent seen them in person. So the size isn't an issue then?

[Jon14]

Hello! So I have my eye on a BP and have these things on the way or are being ordered.

1. Animal Plastics T8 with divider.
2. Herpstat 1
3. 40 Watt RHP
4. Accurite Thermometer
5. 2 Hides, Water Dish, Fake plants, etc.

So, I only have 1 RHP for the one side of the T8 because I'm only going to have one snake. The other side will stay empty (or ill use it for storage) until the BP grows into it. Then, depending on temps, I will most likely swap out the 40 watt for an 80 watt for the full size of the t8.

My question is, is it okay for the other side of the t8 to be empty (without heat)? Will it cause any temp problems?

I dont imagine it could be much of an issue, but when asking Ali if AP could install the 40 watt for me on the one side, she mentioned that I have a divider, so i might want to go with two rhps instead of one. I definitely trust Ali, so I was second guessing my plan. Lol.

Any advice is appreciated!
Mindy

Will you be able to obtain appropriate temperature gradient with the rhp? You also maybe should have got th e herpstat 2, as you will likely need another heat source especially once you extend the tank (heat tape or uth)

[EL-Ziggy]

I didn't think that the 80 watt would fit in half of the t8. I havent seen them in person. So the size isn't an issue then?

I'm thinking they'll fit. You'll have a vertical temp gradient but the horizontal gradient may be an issue since the RHP will cover almost the entire half of the enclosure. You could just set the floor temp to about 82 and be ok I would think. You may need to add a branch for higher basking temps.

80 watt panel measures approximately 12.5"x22.5"x1.75" (overall dimensions).

[chrid16371]

I bought an rhp that goes the whole length of my tank bc my temps in the winter can get bad and I run air conditioning in my house during spring and summer. How I get a gradient is by also using a heat mat for the hot side. It also allows me to run the heat mat 92 to get a hot spot of 89 instead of having to run it at 95 to get 88. Which if you do what I'm doing you will need a herpstat 2

[Mizaniverse]

I bought an rhp that goes the whole length of my tank bc my temps in the winter can get bad and I run air conditioning in my house during spring and summer. How I get a gradient is by also using a heat mat for the hot side. It also allows me to run the heat mat 92 to get a hot spot of 89 instead of having to run it at 95 to get 88. Which if you do what I'm doing you will need a herpstat 2

Is heating tape any good? I dont exactly have the money for a rhp (plus BP is gonna be in my room which has ac). Also, is a uth any better then heat tape?

[mmindyhull]

Thanks for the help guys. I feel like the Herpstat 2 would be a little overkill. Summers here are HOT. Gets into the 100s and high 90's which means inside is a good 75-80. The only time I would question the heat (especially in the T8) would be winter, where it gets into the low 60s outside, 70-74 inside.. which only lasts for like a month. Lol. Worst comes to worst I'll keep a UTH and hydrofarm for emergencies. When the T8 arrives I will check its ambient temps inside before any heat is added to make sure I'm right.

However, it would be nice to save the money and just jump straight into the 80 watt RHP.

So now the question is 40 watt or 80 watt?

40 watt - leaves a nice horizontal gradient in half of the t8, but I'll end up having to upgrade in about a year.
80 watt - leaves weird gradient until i can open up the rest of the cage, but it'll work for the duration of the snakes life.

[spikell75]

I have both an 80 and 40 .. you may be ok with just the 40 and heat tape.. I had one set up like this using the whole t8, the person I got it from had it like this. I had to upgrade it to an 80 cause my house temps get into the low 60's in the winter for 5+ months a year. if you ambient temps are in the 70 you may be ok. If worst case you get another 40 year or so down the road. my problem was I couldn't get temps into the 80's and was running none stop, now with the 80 watt if barley comes on go figure haha

[EL-Ziggy]

I'd go with the 80w. It'll be a little overkill in the beginning but it'll be worth it in the long run.