Radiant heat panels

[green_man]

Hey, I am interested in purchasing a radiant heat panel but have a couple of questions about them.

How do they hold up in high humidity?

I've heard that they heat objects directly without raising the ambient temperatures around that object. If this is so how can you get an accurate temperature reading?

Do you use one with a combination of under tank heater or other heating device, or do you use it alone?

Which brand do you recommend?

Thanks for any input.

[Adam_Wysocki]

How do they hold up in high humidity?

A quality RHP will do well in a humid enclosure. They are designed with the conditions of all reptile habitats in mind. Be careful with the cheap knock off though, they might not hold up as well. With RHP's you really do get what you pay for.

I've heard that they heat objects directly without raising the ambient temperatures around that object. If this is so how can you get an accurate temperature reading?

They heat the objects which then release that heat into the air raising ambient air temps ... similar to how the sun heats object on the earth. Measuring temps is actually done the same as any other heating element.

Do you use one with a combination of under tank heater or other heating device, or do you use it alone?

If you purchase a RHP that is sized with your enclosure size and ambient room temps in mind, you shouldn't need any supplemental heating.

Which brand do you recommend?

In the past I've tried just about every RHP on the market and the Pro Heat panels from Pro Products (www.pro-products.com) are absolutely the best. Bob Pound at Pro Products will make sure you get the right heat panel for your application and you'll really be amazed by the quality of the product and how well it works.

Good luck.

-adam

[green_man]

Excellent, thank you very much for the info Adam. Exactly what I needed. Now to come up with the $$.
*searches under couch cushions*

[bg1906]

I agree with Adam 100%! I have a Pro-Products Heat Panel, which Adam also suggested to me, and it is the bomb! A'Kashja infact likes sitting on top of her half-log corner hide directly under the panel and absorb the heat.