UTH's and RHP's

[mrmertz]

Running off of my previous post concerning AP cages and ambient air temps, I'm taking this one step further.

Here's the planned set-ups;
Animals: one Blood Python, one Colombian Boa
Tanks/Cage: two Animal Plastics T-25 (72Lx30Dx18H) stacked
Radiant Heat Panel: Reptile Basics, 80W placed off to one side in each tank

After reading quite a bit of information regarding in particular the Reptile Basics radiant heat panel, if I coupled that with a TOP NOTCH thermostat to regulate the temp coming off of it, would I even need a UTH at this point? Placed on one side, the overall ambient air temps would seem to be very reachable from what I have read, plus being radiant heat they would be able to heat the snake much more efficiently (objects, i.e. tissues) causing it to warm more so than the surrounding air if need be on the warmer side of the tank.

Seems like adding a UTH on top of all of this would be driving the warm half for basking even higher as it would introduce more heat directly to the snake via belly heat (when they are already gathering heat from the panel).

Right now, they are kept warm through a UTH (no thermostat) and an oil filled heater in the den and are doing fine. I think if during all of this time they have been okay, stepping up to the AP's and a really good RHP and thermostat would be a huge leap forward as it is.

Let me know if I am off-base here! Anybody use the Reptile Basics RHP's? Feedback would be appreciatted!

Thanks again!
Jeff in Tucson AZ

[Vypyrz]

Running off of my previous post concerning AP cages and ambient air temps, I'm taking this one step further.

Here's the planned set-ups;
Animals: one Blood Python, one Colombian Boa
Tanks/Cage: two Animal Plastics T-25 (72Lx30Dx18H) stacked
Radiant Heat Panel: Reptile Basics, 80W placed off to one side in each tank

After reading quite a bit of information regarding in particular the Reptile Basics radiant heat panel, if I coupled that with a TOP NOTCH thermostat to regulate the temp coming off of it, would I even need a UTH at this point? Placed on one side, the overall ambient air temps would seem to be very reachable from what I have read, plus being radiant heat they would be able to heat the snake much more efficiently (objects, i.e. tissues) causing it to warm more so than the surrounding air if need be on the warmer side of the tank.

I know generally, for the cages that are 12"-14" tall, a RHP works well by itself, but for the 18"+ tall cages, I'm not sure. I was reading Reptile Basics RHP FAQ page and for that size cage, you may need to get the 120w RHP. The best thing that I can suggest is to call them and discuss it before ordering. Here are a couple of other places who sell RHP's, in case you want to compare.

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/radiant.html

http://www.pro-products.com/index.ph...d=55&Itemid=59

[mrmertz]

Thanks Vyperz! Yeah, I guess that the best way to handle it. Never used an RHP before. The tank being 18" draws it into question.

Also, thanks for the links also! Perhaps it's time for another pole concerning RHP's????

Jeff in Tucson aka Mrmertz

[SnakeKB]

The higher the cage, the more watts is needed to create the heat to reach the floor. Im in the same boat as you. I think you can also attach it to one end of the cage which would let you run a lower watt and the snake can get closer to it to heat itself without getting burned. So far ive just been using flexwatt in the cage and have all the edges taped down with gorilla tape. Snake cant get to any wires or anything. Been working flawless that way for 3 months now. Gorilla tape holds strong too.