New Set-up...Outgassing Radiant Panels from Helix....How long do I do this for??

I set up my two V221 Vision Cages today... I was told about outgassing the Radiant Heat Panels prior to putting the animals in the tank. The instructions say to run the panels at 100% for a few hours. I did that but the smell is still pretty horrific.

Anybody have any experience with the Helix RHPs?? Or Outgassing??

I dont get my thermostat until Friday and in the interim I want to try and run the panels as much as possible in order to rid them of that plastic smell.

When is it safe to put the animals in there??

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks!!

LD

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When the smell is gone it is no longer out gassing. RHPs are great tools but in such a low enclosure there are easier ways to create a hot spot.

12" high.... Same as T1 & T8 from AP.... I have seen a bunch of set-ups on here using the RHPs.

How would you have set it up??

RHPs are fine for 12'' enclosures. it's just easier to achieve a proper heat gradient using belly heat given the height. either approach is just a matter of preference. for future reference, you might want to look into RBI heat panels as they are designed to eliminate the off-gassing issue. if you run yours unregulated for a few hours, they should be fine. I would also hook up your thermostat and let it run for 12-24 hours at the desires temperature. either way, don't introduce your animals until the heat source is regulated by a thermostat.

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

RHPs are fine for 12'' enclosures. it's just easier to achieve a proper heat gradient using belly heat given the height. either approach is just a matter of preference. for future reference, you might want to look into RBI heat panels as they are designed to eliminate the off-gassing issue. if you run yours unregulated for a few hours, they should be fine. I would also hook up your thermostat and let it run for 12-24 hours at the desires temperature. either way, don't introduce your animals until the heat source is regulated by a thermostat.

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Thank you!! I had the panels running outside all day today. Hoping that when I get home, the smell is gone. Herpstat4 will be here tomorrow.

Question: My two (2) BP's are only 86 and 103 Grams....are the enclosures too big??? If so, at what point should I move them in??

I start my young BP's in 24" x 24" x 12" cages without any issues. As long as you provide good hides you should be fine.

Just clutter it up for the little guys so they feel secure. Paper balls, fake plants, hides, have some fun with it

Just got home... Panels have been on unregulated since 9am this morning! They still smell like plastic.

Thoughts??

Are you running them inside the cages? I would run them in a more open environment.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Are you running them inside the cages? I would run them in a more open environment.

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I ran them outside by themselves last night for 3 hours.

Then I installed them. I ran them inside the tanks today (outdoors) without glass.