Heating choices

[Avsha531]

Hi guys, just wanted some opinions here. I'm working on deciding what I'm going to order as far as lifetime caging. AP's for sure, but deciding on heat sources for the BP and the BRB. Originally was planning on using heat tape and a Pro Products RHP for ambients with the BP, and just a RHP for the BRB. Room temps are usually 70-72 degrees. However I had a conversation with Bob from PP at the White Plains Expo this past weekend, and he was pretty adamant that under tank heat is useless, not UL certified, snakes have evolved to absorb heat from the sun and not belly, blah blah and I should use strictly RHP's without the belly heat. Now I'm thinking of only using RHP's. Plans are for 2 T10's, one divided for now. Thoughts/Experience/Help?

[Ax01]

i get the 'they evolved to absorb heat from the sun and it's more natural that way' argument, but snakes live in holes in the ground and are often found w/ parasites also in their natural environment. Lol that doesn't mean they need all that stuff in their enclosures as wee keep them as pets. we give our animals an advantage and the best lives possible compared to their wild counterparts. that means safety, security and the best husbandry including belly heat as needed.

anyways i don't even think Pro-Panels are UL certified either. there's a whole thread in the QT forum about Bob's rage against non Pro-Panel products: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-now-anti-UTH-! (u will need to ask a mod or admin to grant u permission to QT) there's more than one way to achieve ideal husbandry and folks will use what is best for their animals.

[Starscream]

As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

I don't really understand the rail against UTHs -- they don't typically work in setups with deep substrate layers or bioactive vivariums, but they do similar work to what a RHP does. Only, the RHP modifies air temperatures as well, not just a single surface. A RHP will heat up the area below it, creating a basking spot, or an area that provides belly heat. Same thing. One's out in the open preferably over a rock or other surface that can absorb a decent amount of heat (RHP), while the other can be placed under a hide and heat the hide's bottom, and probably some of the air inside it as well. Snakes absorb heat no matter which direction it's coming from -- just like if you have car seats that warm up, you'd absorb that heat too (and dang does it feel good lol).

For your specific room temperatures, you'd definitely need some way to raise the ambient temperatures (RHP). You may find you need the UTH, or you may not. I personally would say 'better safe than sorry' and purchase one of each, with the UTH as a back up in case one side is cooler than you thought it'd be.

[MissterDog]

Ah yes that's Bob for you. He's a good guy and his product is fantastic qaulity but is VERY uh, insistent on how his product is the best there is compared to all other options and you are making a dangerous mistake if you choose otherwise <_<

If you let him he'll write you a novel why all UTH's and competing RHP's are a hazard lol

Personally I've always been a fan of the UTH + RHP combo. Been working fantastic for me and many others who have gone a similar route. I just like being able to control the hotspot without compromising ambient temps.

When I used only a RHP I found my warm ambient temps were getting way too warm for my liking just to get the hot spot I wanted. Especially since I was starting with a 24 x 24 cage (a divided T12) which really didn't give me much room for a good horizontal heat gradient with just the RHP. The RHP itself was practically as big the top cage half so you can get an idea how things get a bit complicated.

Adding a UTH gave me more flexibility keep everything better balanced, and as pointed out earlier it's good to have a back up on hand. Plus you can go wrong with a Herpstat 2 :p

PS. Why is typing on mobile so hard

[MissterDog]

^CAN'T go wrong with Herpstat 2 omg. Herpstats are your best friend!

[Avsha531]

Ah yes that's Bob for you. He's a good guy and his product is fantastic qaulity but is VERY uh, insistent on how his product is the best there is compared to all other options and you are making a dangerous mistake if you choose otherwise <_<

If you let him he'll write you a novel why all UTH's and competing RHP's are a hazard lol

Personally I've always been a fan of the UTH + RHP combo. Been working fantastic for me and many others who have gone a similar route. I just like being able to control the hotspot without compromising ambient temps.

When I used only a RHP I found my warm ambient temps were getting way too warm for my liking just to get the hot spot I wanted. Especially since I was starting with a 24 x 24 cage (a divided T12) which really didn't give me much room for a good horizontal heat gradient with just the RHP. The RHP itself was practically as big the top cage half so you can get an idea how things get a bit complicated.

Adding a UTH gave me more flexibility keep everything better balanced, and as pointed out earlier it's good to have a back up on hand. Plus you can go wrong with a Herpstat 2 :p

PS. Why is typing on mobile so hard

Lol . Thanks everyone for all the feedback, please keep it coming. If I were to put the heat tape in the center of a divided, where would RHP go (UTH side, middle, etc), or would something like a 35-40 watt take up the whole divided top? Also, what is the consensus as far as the BRB (hotspot 85 max, ambient 80), just RHP or add the uth?

[Reinz]

Most of my caging uses both types of heating while not necessary. I like to give my snakes options.

Half of them rarely use the UTH. The other half use it after eating for a day or two.

When my next cage arrives it with have both types as well. Also at that time I will add UTH’s to two cages with only RHP’s.

Big thumbs up on Herpstats