in a sealed box with fans circulating air, im sure 20 watts spread over 3 sq ft vs 1 sq ft wouldn't make one bit of differencehis temps are swinging a whole 2 degrees... oh no!
what makes 3 feet "correct" than anything else? is this another "you must have two hides or else" thing? I just don't see what your basing this off of. It appears what he has works, so why fix it if its not broke?