Alternative ways to heat a tank

[Bogertophis]

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Bogertophis:: Both times when this has happened this winter (didn't happen all summer at all) there was a good bit of concensatiom and general wet under the dome around the light. Both times happened after upping the humidity for a shed (which is happening now as well)

You could instead use a "UTH" on the top as well, with a reflector over-top (for ex. a rectangular UTH with a rectangular metal baking pan over it to help deflect heat
downward into the cage). I've done this before with some old ceramic UTH that put out high heat at low wattage...works just fine & no light output. In combination
with UTH from underneath, it should be warm enough...esp. if you insulate the glass part-way, & depending on your ambient room/house temps. as well.

[MeerkatLyndz]

Hannahvh:: Sorry I didn't give certain details. I actually do use Repti Bark for the substrate because I was told it held moisture so well.

I also already have a device that reads humidity, a hygrometer, it's the whole reason why I began having to add more humidity to the tank overall. And even misting two or three times a day didn't boost the humidity. As for the lamp it sat on top of the lid with the wet towel sorta around it and the humidifier below it.

The dome light, I'm not 100% sure on the brand name but I know it was a big one and considering the well known and abundance of Zoomed it wouldn't surprise me that that is the brand.

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What I'm thinking of doing is buying another dome and bulb along with completely new bedding, as the old stuff just needs a changing, and seeing how the UTH does on its own for warmth and then if I need to I can move the humidifier to the other side of the tank away from the lamp and see if that helps if the ceramic heater needs to be turned back on.

This is only a winter problem it seems cause during the summer when we first got her we had zero humidity or light issues.

[MeerkatLyndz]

Bogertophis:: OMG I didn't even think about that! I've got at least two extra big UTH I can do that with. One on top and bottom. And can easily "sacrifice" a cheap pan for the top to reflect. Would tinfoil work good as a defector or do you think a pan would be better? That's def worth a try!

[Sonny1318]

Just some random thoughts. A forty breeder would be a lot better. I too, am a tank guy, I use a very large humidifier (for my whole home). It helps greatly, add some some moss and perfect sheds every time. I use ZooMed mini domes and ZooMed infrared bulbs on a dimmer, they last a really long time that way. I’ve personally tried UTH’s mounted on the side, doesn’t do anything. It’s like when people say CHE doesn’t kill humidity like a light, not true in any tests I’ve ever tried (both are producing heat. Zap humidity). I’m in Chicago, so no humidity in the winter, not so bad in the summer. You are also aware you can soak the reptibark in water before use and it will also help greatly. Just trying to help. You got some pretty decent advice already. Best of luck.

[CALM Pythons]

It depends on what your budget is....

A lot of people like myself who were sick of replacing bulbs and dealing with humidity problems in tanks (for adult BP's) will order an animal plastics T8 or T10, and run a Radiant Heat Panel (RHP) for the heat source along with a reliable thermostat.

AP T8 - $165 + $48 shipping
RHP - $120
Therm- $100ish

Figure on $450 at the worst for the complete setup, some people like to add flexwatt underneath as well, but I personally don't find it to be 100% necessary. Just a very nice addition. It's like a Chevy vs a Cadillac comparison haha.

I haven't ordered from them in year but I've heard Animal Plastics has quite the waiting list now for their cages, so keep that in mind. They're busy for good reason however...

What I just listed is the care free... but expensive option for sure, but it's a proven one and a lot of people like it. I'm going on nine years of the above setup without having a SINGLE hiccup. No bulb replacement needed, no covering of your cage, no damp/wet substrate needed to keep humidity (paper products work fine in AP cages, as they hold humidity VERY well from your water bowl alone)

This All Day


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[Bogertophis]

Bogertophis:: OMG I didn't even think about that! I've got at least two extra big UTH I can do that with. One on top and bottom. And can easily "sacrifice" a cheap pan for the top to reflect. Would tinfoil work good as a defector or do you think a pan would be better? That's def worth a try!

You can use a foil pan, just thick foil, a small cookie sheet...whatever. Thicker is better, IMO, & you can insulate over top of that since the UTH has "breathing room".

It has worked well on my Spotted Python's cage...she likes to bask on branches under warmth, & she has 2nd UTH with a hide over it, but she spends half her time on the driftwood above...it's her "look-out tower".