Small question about PVC and insulation

[shade-ilmaendu]

Hey guys, haven't been around in a bit but you all were so helpful last time, and I just have a quick question that google isn't helping terribly much with.

I'm squirreling aside some cash to upgrade Apollo to a PVC tank (Animal Plastics T8). My question is, how much of a difference am I going to see in insulation? Currently he's in a glass tank with a screen top, and over the winter I needed to have a UTH, heat lamp and had two sides (plus the screen top) insulated with tin foil to help keep the heat in. Now that summer's coming up I know it's not going to be as much of an issue right away, but during the winter temps in here were sometimes dropping into the 60s overnight.

I'm uncertain if I should order the tank with a screen insert on the lid for a heat lamp or if that's going to be unnecessary. Thoughts?

[Prognathodon]

They're much better than glass. You may not need more than the UTH, especially through summer. If you do, though, I'd go with a radiant heat panel instead of the heat lamp - it can be mounted inside the enclosure, is unobtrusive, and you don't have to replace bulbs.


Sent using software and hardware

[Jon14]

^ RHP seems to be the way to go for PVC cages. I plan on saving for a AP T8 as well, and I fully intend to get the RHP.

[shade-ilmaendu]

I haven't seen any animal plastic cages in person, is there any sort of fixture inside to mount the heat panels? I don't see the option to add one from their website so I'm assuming I'd have to purchase one elsewhere.

[spikell75]

Just 2 holes or screws mine came with 2 screws with nuts drill two 1/8 holes or they will do it for you if you buy all togather

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[shade-ilmaendu]

Awesome. We have (really inefficient) gas heat hence low temps in winter so once it gets cold I'm sure we'll want the RHP. Ill go without the screen top and perhaps add a light fixture instead and see how it works with just the UTH for starters. The house doesn't have central air so I'm not too worried about it being too cold for him for the summer, then I can get the RHP once its getting cold out again if all goes well.