Animal Plastic T8 (Help?)

Hello, I purchased two T8 cages from Animal Plastic and overall, I really like the quality of the cages. However, I'm having trouble with heating my cages. Before I go any further, I wanted to mention that I do have one of their "stands" which is completely hollow inside. I have 2.5' of 11 inch flexwatt underneath both cages.

On the first cage, the cage that is sitting on the stand, I have the thermostat at 115 degrees to maintain 92 degree hot spot inside the cage.

The second cage, I have the thermostat set to 105 degrees to maintain 91 degree hot spot. The second cage literally sits on top of the first cage which is why, I think, it is easier to regulate the heat because the heat does not have anywhere to go but through the PVC.

My question is this, is it safe to keep the thermostat at 115 degrees? I'm kind of puzzled because I live in San Diego, CA so it is not THAT cold here. I thought about getting a radiant heat panel but I feel that I shouldn't need one.

Another thing I did differently is the placement of the heat tape. Most people place the heat tape from back to front while I have mine placed from right to left. I don't think this should make any difference? Besides, I can fit more flexwatt (2.5' than 2.0') from right to left than front to back.

What do you guys think?

M

what are the ambient temps in the room that the cages are in and in the cages?

I have and animal plastic enclosure also. I have a radiant heat panel installed in my enclosure mainly to just help with the ambient temp. And flexwatt underneath.

The room is at about 68 degrees. The ambient temp of the cage is between 75 to 78 but if I dig under the substrate (where the heat tape is located), it is at 88 degrees.

The easiest thing to do would be to bring the ambient temps in the room up and that should bring the ambient in the cages up as well, along with helping the heat tape not have to work so hard. As long as the ambient temps in your cage are good though, it shouldn't hurt the flexwatt to run at 115f.

Well, the cages are in the living room. The only way I can raise the temp is by turning on the heater. I bought an oil filled radiator and that thing spiked up my electricity bill (a little more than double). It looks like radiant heat panel might be what I need. I just find it odd because I'm in San Diego so it is not that cold here.

RHP's don't heat the ambient air directly. They are radiant heat that is emitted from above the substrate rather than radiant heat from below the enclosure (flexwatt). Just wanted to mention that any boost to the ambient heat comes as a byproduct of heating objects below the RHP that then cast off the heat. To keep my cool side ambient temps at 80 required the RHPs to stay on for a long time and the aspen reading 104 with my IR thermometer. I put concrete skulls inside there to help soak up heat and that seems to help as well. Good luck.

Do you think it would help if I put some large, smooth rocks in the cage?