Radiant Heat Panel suggestions?

Just wondering what brand/make people recommend on here....going to be for a GTP.

The ones I have from Reptile Basics work great.

I have one from Pro Products and it works great too :) the ones from Pro Products are a bit more expensive but it's worth the price. But you can't really go wrong with either Reptile Basics or Pro Products.


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I personally like the Pro Products. And if you email him, with what cage, house temps, and what you are putting In it, he will hook you up with the appropriate RHP. Left to my own, I would have gone overkill, he set me up with what I needed, and they have been working perfect. The Reptile basics rhps are not UL rated. Which is part of what steered me away from them.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

I personally like the Pro Products. And if you email him, with what cage, house temps, and what you are putting In it, he will hook you up with the appropriate RHP. Left to my own, I would have gone overkill, he set me up with what I needed, and they have been working perfect. The Reptile basics rhps are not UL rated. Which is part of what steered me away from them.

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UL rated?

I bought mine from Pro Products as well. Gave em a call, let them know dimensions of enclosure and how I liked to keep the ambient room temp at and they figured out exactly which panel I needed. Now hopefully I can get my enclosure this weekend and get it set up and figure out the temp and humidity.

'Nother one for Pro Products. I've had one for my carpet running for about a year and a half.

Reptile Basics will also provide a recommending size RHP based on your particular situation - size or enclosure, ambient room temperature, etc. I think you can't go wrong with either solution - Reptile Basics or Pro Products. I personally have all Reptile Basic RHP's. I've gone back to them because of good service. Again, I don't think either solution is a poor one.


UL rating is a board that certifies electrical components for safety and fire hazards. The following is conjecture, but I would imagine most all standard electrical components would be UL certified that make up the RHP's. So even in the absence of the official cert they may be just as safe, they just lack the official "stamp" stating so. As an example, when I used to do Controls work we would provide UL certified components for the Control Panels we designed. We didn't typically call in the UL board to certify the panel, because the components themselves were already certified. Only if a Customer truly wanted the UL certification did we go through the hoops of getting one - which cost extra. Just my small experience in the electrical world, obviously anecdotal only and again conjecture.

^^ This about UL, safety cert. This is part of an email I received from Pro Products when I was first inquiring-

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/bu2e6anu.jpg

Could it be a sales pitch? Quite possibly. But for me it was a selling point, as I feel more comfortable with them. And I've read nothing but good about Pro Products panels. I'm not comfortable with a heating element that has been banned somewhere due to fires. That being said, for anything else, I do love and use Reptile basics! :)

I use a 40 watt RBI RHP on my Chondro set up, and it has worked beautifully over 2 years now.

Not to go too far off topic, but for those of you using RHPs are you using any other heat source? I have used Helix RHPs for my Blueys and have found that I still needed to use basking bulb, because while they did bump up ambients they didn't create a hot spot at all, which is why I eventually returned them and am now just using bulbs.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Not to go too far off topic, but for those of you using RHPs are you using any other heat source? I have used Helix RHPs for my Blueys and have found that I still needed to use basking bulb, because while they did bump up ambients they didn't create a hot spot at all, which is why I eventually returned them and am now just using bulbs.

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My heat panel creates a perfect hotspot and gradient in my cage so I don't have to use any other heat source. I have my Herpstat set to 77.5 with the probe on the cool side. It makes it 80 degrees under the cool side hide and it's 89/90 on the hot side. So I'm very happy with the temps. BUT I did have to fiddle with the thermostat quite a bit to see what would give me the perfect gradient. But I finally got it just right at 77.5.


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Originally Posted by AlexisFitzy

My heat panel creates a perfect hotspot and gradient in my cage so I don't have to use any other heat source. I have my Herpstat set to 77.5 with the probe on the cool side. It makes it 80 degrees under the cool side hide and it's 89/90 on the hot side. So I'm very happy with the temps. BUT I did have to fiddle with the thermostat quite a bit to see what would give me the perfect gradient. But I finally got it just right at 77.5.


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How tall is your tank. I am wondering if the added height of the tanks I used may have an impact. My blueys cages are 2ft tall and the one I am building for my Tegu is 3ft tall. When I was messing around with the 2ft tall cages I had hooked up some thermocouples to a temp sensor/recorder, monitored with an IR camera and noticed that anything past about 10 inches away from the RHP was not affected.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

How tall is your tank. I am wondering if the added height of the tanks I used may have an impact. My blueys cages are 2ft tall and the one I am building for my Tegu is 3ft tall. When I was messing around with the 2ft tall cages I had hooked up some thermocouples to a temp sensor/recorder, monitored with an IR camera and noticed that anything past about 10 inches away from the RHP was not affected.

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Ahhh that was definitely the problem. I have a Proline cage and it's only 1ft tall. But when you buy from Pro Products they make you answer questions about the dimensions or your cage, what your putting in it, the temps in your home, where the cage will be located so they can give you the exact heat panel you need for Your specific situation because they have over 200 panels. So I would try the RHP'S out again but go with Pro Products. They will get you one that will work perfectly for your specific needs 😊

That's what I personally think makes them better than the competitors, the wide selection and getting you the perfect heat panel but they are a bit more pricey like I said in my first comment but worth it. I see Pro Products like I see Spyder Robotics both top of the line. A bit more pricey for what you need but perfect for your needs.


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Originally Posted by DooLittle

^^ This about UL, safety cert. This is part of an email I received from Pro Products when I was first inquiring-

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/bu2e6anu.jpg

Could it be a sales pitch? Quite possibly. But for me it was a selling point, as I feel more comfortable with them. And I've read nothing but good about Pro Products panels. I'm not comfortable with a heating element that has been banned somewhere due to fires. That being said, for anything else, I do love and use Reptile basics! :)

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This was nothing but a sales pitch. Ive tried to do the research into Pro Products UL cert for the panels but never found one. If anyone can find it, be my guest. I tried to look up the company on the UL cert website and couldnt wven find that. I think it's odd that the company claims to be UL certified but does't provide the cert number.

In regards to the panels, I prefer the Reptile Basicis heat panels. I bought a used Animal Plastics T-10 (4x2x2) enclosure with a Pro Product heat panel. I ended up splitting the enclosure and getting a Reptile Basics heat panel for the other side. Even though everything is completely the same on both sides of the terrarium, my humidity is lower on the Pro Product heat panel side. I also dont like that the Pro Product heat pannels have "popcorn ceiling" kind of face so if the snake does stretch to it, it might scratch itself. The Reptile Basic panels are smooth in that regard.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

This was nothing but a sales pitch. Ive tried to do the research into Pro Products UL cert for the panels but never found one. If anyone can find it, be my guest. I tried to look up the company on the UL cert website and couldnt wven find that. I think it's odd that the company claims to be UL certified but does't provide the cert number.

In regards to the panels, I prefer the Reptile Basicis heat panels. I bought a used Animal Plastics T-10 (4x2x2) enclosure with a Pro Product heat panel. I ended up splitting the enclosure and getting a Reptile Basics heat panel for the other side. Even though everything is completely the same on both sides of the terrarium, my humidity is lower on the Pro Product heat panel side. I also dont like that the Pro Product heat pannels have "popcorn ceiling" kind of face so if the snake does stretch to it, it might scratch itself. The Reptile Basic panels are smooth in that regard.

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I can't imagine a company that has a good reputation like they (Pro Products) do would run around making false claims. And you'll notice Reptile basics makes no claims that theirs are UL certified. I have emailed Bob asking for proof that I can post. I'll let you know when I hear back from him.

And as far as the "popcorn", it is not rough at all. Nothing that could/would hurt your snake. They aren't so much popcorn as textured. Again, nothing that could hurt your snake.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

I can't imagine a company that has a good reputation like they (Pro Products) do would run around making false claims.

And as far as the "popcorn", it is not rough at all. Nothing that could/would hurt your snake. They aren't so much popcorn as textured. Again, nothing that could hurt your snake.

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I think a reputable company would have the UL cert number readily available on their website for everyone to see. If it's for the actual heat panels and not for another product then why wouldn't you put it for your costumers to see?

Regarding, the surface, I guess it's a matter of opinion. I believe that my snake can scratch itself against that sharp of texture.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

I think a reputable company would have the UL cert number readily available on their website for everyone to see. If it's for the actual heat panels and not for another product then why wouldn't you put it for you costumers to see?

Regarding, the surface, I guess it's a matter of opinion. I believe that my snake can scratch itself against that sharp of texture.

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Have you EVER seen anyone claim their snake got hurt by a Pro Products panel? No? Me neither, and I've been very active on this forum for almost 3 years. Not one injury to due to their panels, or problems with their panels have I ever heard. You just seem to have a problem with Pro Products for some reason.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

Have you EVER seen anyone claim their snake got hurt by a Pro Products panel? No? Me neither, and I've been very active on this forum for almost 3 years. Not one injury to due to their panels, or problems with their panels have I ever heard. You just seem to have a problem with Pro Products for some reason.

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Im not claiming that my snake got hurt by the Pro Products heat panel. However, I have noticed a lot more bent scales than my other snakes. Also, as I mentioned before, the humidity is also lower on the Pro Products side than the Reptile Basics side. Considering I have both of these heat panels im posting my experience.

Not sure why you're taking my posts personally.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

Im not claiming that my snake got hurt by the Pro Products heat panel. However, I have noticed a lot more bent scales than my other snakes. Also, as I mentioned before, the humidity is also lower on the Pro Products side than the Reptile Basics side. Considering I have both of these heat panels im posting my experience.

Not sure why you're taking my posts personally.

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I didn't say your snake got hurt. Just saying I've never seen one hurt, and you throwing out there that your snake could get scratched by them. Not gonna happen. Don't want other people (that haven't experience with them) to read that and be worried. And it seems every time there is a heat panel discussion, and I recommend Pro products, you single out my posts to knock the Pro Product panels. And I think they are great. You use what you like, I'll use what I like. And I will continue to recommend them.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

I didn't say your snake got hurt. Just saying I've never seen one hurt, and you throwing out there that your snake could get scratched by them. Not gonna happen. Don't want other people (that haven't experience with them) to read that and be worried. And it seems every time there is a heat panel discussion, and I recommend Pro products, you single out my posts to knock the Pro Product panels. And I think they are great. You use what you like, I'll use what I like. And I will continue to recommend them.

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My suggestions are based on my experience. If the snake rubs against the Pro Products panel there's definitely a chance of them getting scratched. Again, that's my opinion from my experience.

I apologize if you think I single out your posts. If that is the case, I don't do it intentionally and again apologize. Just like you, I want people to make the most informed decision.

I do however have a caution towards their UL cert. I don't belive something a company just claims. If you claim something as big as a UL certification, I expect the company to display it or at least have it on their site. I think it's strange that no one can find this mysterious UL certification or for what product it's actually available for.

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I don't think any animal is supposed to come in contact with the heat panel. So the texture doesn't really matter. I thought the point was once they felt the heat on their nose/heat build up they would turn away from it. So I don't think anyone's snake would reach up and touch their face to the panel. The heat is supposed to deter them from doing that. Personally my snake doesn't even get close to the panel, he may look at it but he never tries to touch it. That's just my 2 cents though. All in all either way you can go with Reptile Basics or Pro Products whichever one your prefer or suits your needs.


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This is from Reptile Basics Radiant Heat Panel FAQ:

What about fire safety?

The Reptile Basics RHP now incorporates a thermal fuse, something our competitors do not. Should the panels internal temperature exceed safe levels encountered in normal operation it will automatically shut down. While the element itself and the insulating material/lens are all fire resistant consumers have expressed concern over the safety of heating devices used in their caging for some time. While many types of cage heating, heat tape for example, do not lend themselves to this type of safety device we have found RHP's to work very well with them. For this reason we have incorporated it into our design. One of the advantages of producing the panels "in-house" as opposed to repackaging/labeling a product designed for use in other applications and manufactured by others!

To properly use this RHP with the thermal fuse you must take a couple of small precautions to ensure proper operation-

•Do not mount the panel in such a way that the lens is closer than 6 inches from a cage surface
•Do not set the panel lens side down on any surface while it is plugged in (don't know why you would do that??)

Either of these will cause the internal panel temp to potentially exceed the operating temp of the fuse and potentially void your warranty and incapacitate the panel!


So there appears to be a safety measure in there to prevent issues. As others have noted, both companies have solid reputations and good products. Go with the one that you feel most comfortable with. In the case of electrical components, your biggest concern is that the system is a "fail open" type of system. What this means, is if it fails, power is lost (open as in the contact is opened so no power can be transmitted) and the apparatus can no longer produce heat/energy. Its good to confirm this when purchasing any product be it a heat panel or a thermostat.