Quick heating question

Im looking into switching from a glass tank to a PVC/Boaphile type enclosure. My room temperature is colder (70F give or take a few degrees both ways)
How do I heat it? A heat mat on the cool side set to 80F and a heat mat on the warm side set to 90F (attached to a thermostat of course) Would that be an effective way?
Thanks for your help

That method probably would work if you had a double thermostat, but your ambient air temp might be too low in a 70 degree home. If the cage has a place for a heat lamp I would go that route first. A nice 75-100 watt red or blue lamp and then possibly a UTH underneath your cool side. Pics of the exact type of cage would greatly help narrow down the right heating methods.

I would actually suggest easier and safer try first a fluorescent light mounted inside the enclosure. They make about a ten degree lift to ambient air temps (surface of them run about 100ºF not a CFL just a liner tube one) So the temp is safe for momentary contact and most of the fixtures have a diffuser over the bulb dropping it down.

UTH are radiant heat sources and do not do much for air temps bulbs heat lamps and FL are convection heat so it heats air. The increase in air temps is more of what is needed rather than surface. i personally use a deep blue led over night it is a touch cooler but still in the mid 90s so it holds temps well. If you need more you can always buy a fixture for a heat lamp but typically a FL tube and fixture are cheaper than a heat lamp before you buy a bulb.

Really? I still have to use lights? Was really hoping to not have to.
Kitedemon I like your suggestion with the deep blue fixture I'll have to look into those.

Could I make something like this? http://www.cagesbydesign.com/p-506-m...enclosure.aspx Obviously with a couple modifications (guard or something on it of course and an UTH with thermostat, darken a couple sides) I guess my only concern would be where to plug everything in and not make a tripping hazard lol

If you don't want lights, a RHP has worked well for me. It creates a hot spot directly beneath it, and the enclosure as a whole is ~5 degrees warmer than the room it is in (note - have NOT tested this in winter yet).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

If you don't want lights, a RHP has worked well for me. It creates a hot spot directly beneath it, and the enclosure as a whole is ~5 degrees warmer than the room it is in (note - have NOT tested this in winter yet).

---

lol careful.....don't get Kitedemon started about RHP ! lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by norwegn113

lol careful.....don't get Kitedemon started about RHP ! lol

---

Lol, to each his own. I highly respect the info kite gives on this forum. All I can say is what works for me. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

Lol, to each his own. I highly respect the info kite gives on this forum. All I can say is what works for me. ;)

---

I hear ya. Im not trying to start trouble , im just trying to be funny! I do agree with you , whatever works for you . ( just a side note for you, I think you will be happy with the results of your panels this winter. At least I was.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

If you don't want lights, a RHP has worked well for me. It creates a hot spot directly beneath it, and the enclosure as a whole is ~5 degrees warmer than the room it is in (note - have NOT tested this in winter yet).

---

~5degrees warmer I don't think will cut it....especially here in Ontario in the winter time...as it can and sometimes will drop to 66-70F at night

I guess I will be going with Kitedemon's suggestion. Hoping to get started building this bad boy: http://www.cagesbydesign.com/p-506-m...enclosure.aspx cause I'm not paying $1700 for it!

Lights actually heat the air not the stuff in the enclosure more efficient/less cost. Of course there are some will tell you 60$ is less money than 9$ too...

Radiant heat tape (aka UTH, Flex watt, heat tape ext.) radiant heat panel, both heat things, not air. The most ambient air temp i have ever got from a panel is 5-6ºF, it might be ok I routinely get 10-14ºF from FL lights (twice the ambient air change for 1/6 the price and 1/10 the power=efficient), during the summer I have to turn them off too much air temps. I have never heard of a RHP being turned off during warmer months.

Increasing ambient air temps effects the humidity no matter what does it. The good news is higher air temps means lower RH is still fine for sheds.