Thermostat and flexwatt heat tape.

Okay so I finally ordered my AP T8. I ordered the flex watt with it. I am positive I will need the RHP for this winter as my upstairs gets chilly. I plan on using the divider. I already have two hydrofarm thermostats but will I need a proportional one to run the belly heat and two RHP (figuring I will need two of them). Thanks for any input here.

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Are you asking which brand?

If so id suggest Herpstat 2. IF running 2 of the Same RHP's you can just put them on a power bar and use 1 outlet on the back of Herpstat, then use 2nd outlet for the heat tape.

Well....I was asking if I needed to go ahead and get a proportional thermostat instead of using these hydrofarm ones I have now to use with both flex watt and the RHP this winter. And any idea what size wattage RHP I would need? In the winter I try to keep my room about 70 with an electric fireplace. As of right now I am not using any type of light to keep their cages at 80.......they are in separate rooms and range from 78-82 right now without the lights. I also have hot spots sitting at 90-92 with my UTH's.

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So you divided a T8 and want to run a RHP on both sides? Even the smallest RHP I have seen was 11x11 inches so that will cover close to half of each side of the cage, but that seems like it would be overkill IMO.

So what do I do for ambient temps then?

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Have you measured when your room is at 70 what the cages reach with the flexwatt? It is hard for me to say personally because my reptile room stays between 76-78 pretty much year round, but it seems to me that using 2 RHPs would not give you a hot/cold side. Do you have the ability to just use a small room heater to bump up the ambients in that 1 room over the winter?

**Just saw that you use an electric fireplace

I dont currently use flexwatt. I have UTHs for both. I know in the winter my cage could drop to 73 without the red/blue light easily. And the snakes will be in my bedroom and 76/78 is just too warm for me to sleep. In the winter I keep it about 70. I know I dont need anything now besides the belly heat spot.....but in winter...I definitely will need something extra.

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I did a quick search and the "off the shelf" heat panels by helix and Reptile Basics just seem to cover too much floor space. The if you dont want to use bulbs in the winter for supplimental heat or a small heater, you could try contacting pro products and give them the size of your cage and see if they make any custom sized small panels. http://pro-products.com/pro-heat/

Couldnt I set the RPH's to ambient temps of around 80 and use the flex watt for hot spots??

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Thanks for all the help with this too!

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

Couldnt I set the RPH's to ambient temps of around 80 and use the flex watt for hot spots??

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

Thanks for all the help with this too!

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No, problem. You probably could, hopefully someone that lives in a colder climate can chime in a bit, because I really don't know with the temp ranges. I do know that RHPs have the ability to creat a hot spot and that would be my main concern, but if you set them to 80 it may be fine. The guy at pro products is really really good and if you call him and give him the specifics that it asks for on his page, he will be able to tell you everything you want/need to know and more. I would say that he would be your best bet as far as information goes and making sure you do it right the first time around. Good luck.

What you could do is pull out the divider, and Cut it, so that the RHP can be on both sides, AP can do this if you ask, but its its already there you could do yourself, it shouldn't be to hard would just need a dremmel/jiggsaw.

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

What you could do is pull out the divider, and Cut it, so that the RHP can be on both sides, AP can do this if you ask, but its its already there you could do yourself, it shouldn't be to hard would just need a dremmel/jiggsaw.

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Ali from AP said the divider cannot be cut and I would need two different RHP's for each side. I just have to have something figured out before winter comes. Can anyone tell me if I were to buy them if I could set the temp to around 80 for each one and that provide my ambient temps??

Well i can say when i used my PVC cage, my basement was rougly, 70-72 was pretty chilly. And with a non led light fixture inside it was able to keep it up 3-4 degrees, giving it a ambient of 76+/- and they were good over the winter.

If you do feel the need to buy 2 that is possible, like i said with a Herpstat youd be able to use 1 Plug (with a power bar holding both) Set the prob up to 80 degrees and they should stay same % of heat. Im sure this can be done with others, but i trust herpstats! I have all 10 heat tape/pannels, (from ARS) connected to power bar and using 1 probe. Once i fully fill it with male/females ill use 2 probes, to give heat differences from breeders/non breeders.

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

Couldnt I set the RPH's to ambient temps of around 80 and use the flex watt for hot spots??

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Yep. That's the exact setup I'm running.

I have my T8 divided and I use two 40 watt Reptile Basics RHPs which works amazing to keep the ambient temps at a nice 80 degrees year round no matter how cool the room is. I also have heat tape which I use as a hot spot. It isn't necessary but if you already got it, might as well use it. I use a proportionate thermostat (Herpstat 2) to control the RHPs and use the Hydrofarm for the heat tape.

I have never used heat tape.....does it need to have a space like the UTH? I dont want to start a fire.....

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

I have never used heat tape.....does it need to have a space like the UTH? I dont want to start a fire.....

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I personally use THG heat tape which is pretty much the same as Flexwat and the guys at THG suggest to give about 2-4mm space from the bottom of the cage and whatever it's sitting on. I just went to Lowes and got those furniture leg spacer thingies.

Here's a photo:http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/py8ameru.jpg

Had to post photos here because the message wouldnt let me.

Anyways, so the red arrow is pointing at the probe which is going to the thermostat (Herpstat 2) in order to control the RHP temp. I double check the temps with the thermometer which is placed at the back of the terrarium. Sorry for my crappy drawings. Lol. Tried my best.

Let me know if that answers your question.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/de8utu7u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/sydepy7u.jpg

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So the herpstat probe is above the RPH? (Between the panel and cage)?

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Also looks like there is couple inches difference from the pro heat panels and this one..how did you secure the panel to the top? There isnt much of a price difference between the two companies.....and I think I would prefer the slimmer model that can be screwed right into the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

So the herpstat probe is above the RPH? (Between the panel and cage)?

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Exactly. Heres a photo in which I circled the actual probe:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/da2a6agy.jpg

In regards to the RHP, it's held by two screws that come with it. Yes, the Reptile Basics is a little taller but I prefer them over Pro Heat for personal reasons. Both pannels will work just fine though.

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Sweet! Thanks for all the help!!

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Originally Posted by BrandyL1193

Sweet! Thanks for all the help!!

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No worries. Hopefully I didnt confuse you too much.

Here's a really good thread about how to setup a T8 which has a lot of useful information and ideas. Ive been trying to get this stickied for a while now...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571


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In that other thread people were talking about having AP notch out a place for the probe.....is that something I need to ask for and if so would I have to be specific when I email Ali back about it?? I did get the divider....on a second note Rocky just shed perfect and Jack isnt far behind him!

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Well i think alot of them have it in bottom already, but some ask for prob cut outs on each side.. If its not there a dremmel tool can easily cut you our a little insert for your probe.