Need help with heating options

[Theo Pythagorean]

I’m currently preparing to purchase a new, larger tank for my bp. I haven’t bought it yet because I was trying to figure out what sort of heating I should get for it.

This is the one I’m looking at: https://dubiaroaches.com/products/co...42116809719999

The current tank I use now is glass but this one is pvc. Should I use a heating pad? If so, would it go inside the enclosure or stick to the bottom/be placed below it? Or do I use overhead heating, if so what type? Or do I use both?

Thank you for any help!

[Bogertophis]

I’m currently preparing to purchase a new, larger tank for my bp. I haven’t bought it yet because I was trying to figure out what sort of heating I should get for it.

This is the one I’m looking at: https://dubiaroaches.com/products/co...42116809719999

The current tank I use now is glass but this one is pvc. Should I use a heating pad? If so, would it go inside the enclosure or stick to the bottom/be placed below it? Or do I use overhead heating, if so what type? Or do I use both?

Thank you for any help!

Heating pads for reptiles are generally referred to as "UTH" (under tank heating) & they never go in any enclosure- they go underneath. Safety depends on correct installation (they need a small air gap to prevent overheating; also you don't want anything resting on the power cords). UTH will not usually be enough heat, especially for a large enclosure, unless your room/home is kept very warm (like 77*) year-round, because BPs need about 90* at one end of their home, 24/7. (or just under 90*) The larger the enclosure, the harder they are to heat adequately- especially for snakes like BPs.

It's generally impossible for any of us to tell you exactly what you'll need to heat a new enclosure. Why? Because it depends on how warm or cold your room (or house) is allowed to get- and it depends on what kind of heat sources you're using too. Insulation on a tank can only do so much. A larger tank or PVC enclosure will likely need more heat- likely 2 heat sources.

Many here use a combination of a UTH (aka "heat tape") and overhead heat source- usually an RHP (radiant heat panel). You can look at various options here https://www.reptilebasics.com/heating & other sources/brands, that's just an example of one source for reptile products. Here's another: https://beanfarm.com/collections/hea...EaAu6MEALw_wcB

No matter what you use, please (!) set it up for at least a week to test out all your equipment BEFORE you put in a living pet. It can take a while for UTH & other heat sources to heat up all the substrate & all the other furnishings, so if you take temp. readings too soon, you'll likely get it wrong, & it can be very unsafe for your snake (the heat will keep rising gradually). Also, it's essential to control every heat device with a quality thermostat, & stay vigilant- take temp. readings.

[Malum Argenteum]

I'd use an RHP (I do on all my PVC cages), and I'd email Bob at Pro Products to figure out what size you need, and then I'd order from him what he recommends.

https://pro-products.com/pro-heat/

I'd run that RHP with a Herpstat (hey, they're on sale!):

https://spyderrobotics.com/

[Homebody]

Pay the extra $10 and get 6 more inches of height. You'll be glad you did. I hear working in a 12 inch enclosure is awkward and frustrating. I'd heat with an RHP and heat tape.
https://dubiaroaches.com/products/48...tile-enclosure

[Homebody]

Oh! And wow!



That's fast.

[Homebody]

Pay the extra $10 and get 6 more inches of height. You'll be glad you did. I hear working in a 12 inch enclosure is awkward and frustrating. I'd heat with an RHP and heat tape.
https://dubiaroaches.com/products/48...tile-enclosure

Ugh! Just noticed that it has a screen top. I hate screen tops for ball pythons. Lets all the heat and humidity out. If you go with this enclosure, be sure to note the following advice from Dubia's assembly notes:

To increase humidity in the enclosure, you can purchase a 1/8” or 3/16” sheet of acrylic or PVC from your local hardware store to set on top of the screen. However, we don't recommend interfering with your enclosure's built-in ventilation system. Instead, mist more frequently and/or add a reptile fogger to maintain humidity.

[55fingers]

Yeah, I think those PVC enclosure from Dubia all have screen tops, which is unfortunate because they seem fairly decent for the price otherwise. They are definitely better for BPs than tanks/aquariums, but OP if I were you I would put that money towards saving up and look at buying a higher quality one without a screen top elsewhere.

[Malum Argenteum]

I didn't notice the screen top (I didn't think any manufacturer would make such a product, so didn't think to check the description). Ignore my recommendations for that enclosure (though I stand behind them if you go with an Animal Plastics enclosure or similar).