How much ambient heat from UTH's?

[chapskis1]

Hello --

I'm working on the details of how I am going to set my cage up, and trying to figure out how much heat I might need before I buy the supplies. I am planning on using a 29g aquarium. I will insulate 3 of the 4 sides with black foam core board, cover the top with plexiglass with air holes drilled in for ventilation (how many holes and how big should they be).

For heat, I am planning on using a zoomed uth attached to a thermostat set at about 90-92 F, insulated on the bottom with aluminum foil. Do you think this will give me enough heat to keep the ambient air at about 80 degrees. (The room it will be in stays pretty consistent at 68.) Or, I was possibley thinking about a second uth on the other end set at 80. Will that be enough for the ambient temp? If not. I am considering getting a 30" incandescent light strip to go on top of the cage that would be on during the day -- attached to a rheostat if needed....

So, how much heat do you think I will need to keep the cage warm and toasty?

Thanks,

Chapskis1

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

no the uth will not be enough. get a che and put the water dish right under it so the humidity stays up.

[Ed Chisholm]

Chapski,

I am a relatively new BP owner, and new user of this site, and I had a very similar line of questions a few weeks ago.

I have two ZooMed UTH heaters with Two Thermostat controls. I have tow identical hides, one right on the "hot" side and one right on the "cool" side. The "hot" side remains at 90 degrees. The "cool" side remains at 80 degrees. My large water dish sits beween the two sides, not really "on" either heater. From what I have read the "belly" heat is the most important, so I am not overly concerned about the ambient heat in the enclosure, although it stays right about 75 degrees. I have an Accu-Rite measuring my humidity and "hot" side, along with another digital temperature probe measuring the "cold" side (both on the floor under the substrate). I have found that my humidity stays right at 50%, but does vary a bit depending on the A/C unit or heater running in my house. I have installed a vent that can be opened and closed, and have found the spot that is "just about right" through trial & error.
I hope this helps. My snake is very happy. She eats very well, and seems to enjoy being handled.