winter heating question

[PipeDADDY]

I bought the below rack from Reptilebasics. for my BPs. It has back heat and works great (90/80) during the summer . However, the winter temps in the room where the rack is can get as low as 60-62 F. So I am slightly concerned that my cool side temps will get too cold. I have come up with two solutions and wanted to get opinions on which would be better. (I have a herpstat pro)

1) Get an oil filled space heater from lowes and run it on the herpstat to maintain 74 degrees in the room where my rack is.... This should allow the 90/80 to be maintained.

OR

2) Get some flexwatt and place it under the cool side to maintain 80 on the cool side.

I assume the flexwatt option would use less electricity, but the space heater may allow for a more overall temp maintaince.

Thoughts? pros or cons? other options?

[mmchoppers]

I use an electric space heater without putting it into a T-stat, its built-in, and that works great. I monitor it with an Acu-rite. I'm not sure how much it will end up costing. Also, your herpstat pro might not be able to support the heater due to thier high wattage, mine is 750-1500 watts so my herpstat 2 won't work for it...

[recycling goddess]

i have the same problem and i worry about my ball again this winter. we had a heck of a time maintaining proper temps last winter. so... i took a UTH and added it to the inside of the lid of dexter's enclosure. and i'm going to monitor his temps as the days and nights get cooler. i also moved him into my bedroom... cause it's warmer in there (i keep my tarantulas in there as well) so hopefully the temps will be fine.

if not... i'll add a heater to the room.

[kavmon]

an oil filled heater is hard to beat. i have one that is adjustable low,med, high. this is 600,900,1500 watts. i run my on low for the whole room. also i use a ranco stat to control the heater, not the built in stat. this has performed well with no problems. i would try to get the room/area up to around 78 at least.



vaughn

[aaajohnson]

Another option issome reflectix along the back wall ofthe rack. It is amazing what a difference it makes.


Neil

[kavmon]

i do think reflectix will help and can't hurt. i don't think it will solve this particular problem. if the room gets down in the 60's, you need more heat!



vaughn

[monk90222]

also i use a ranco stat to control the heater, not the built in stat. this has performed well with no problems.vaughn

How do you use a ranco to run the heater with a built in tstat?
I know plug the heater into the ranco, then....

where does the probe go? Do you set the heater to high?

[mmchoppers]

I think you would place the probe by the racks since you want it to be a certain degrees in that area, no??

[kavmon]

in my room the ranco is on the outer wall. i want it to sense the coldest wall. the probe is shoulder height and about 2 inches off the wall. i set my oil-filled heater to the low setting (600 watts). the dial thermostat on the heater is set to max. i them plug it into the ranco and adjust my temps where i want them. i have accurites around the room at shoulder,waist and ground level. i mainly look at ground temps and cool side tub temps.



vaughn

[Grim91Z]

I need to invest in an inexpensive space heater as well. Wal-mart has one for like 25 bucks.