RHP Question

[gardenfiend138]

I am thinking of buying a plastic enclosure from either boaphile, ap, or pro line. The ambient temps in my home are in the low 60's, so I will be using a RHP in the new enclosure, My questions is if the RHP can give a 90* hotspot inside the hot side hide? Or if the temps will have to be hotter on the outside of the hot side hide in order to achieve the 90* inside the hide? Or would I need to use a UTH for the hotspot and the RHP for ambient temps? Any experience with colder ambient temps welcomed!

[Evenstar]

The important thing to do with RHPs is to get the correct wattage for your setup and room temps. I personally love RHPs and my pvc cage does great with that as the only heat source. But you need to talk to the experts at Boaphile, Reptile Basics, or PVCcages.com to determine what size wattage you should get for the cage you're buying for the room you're going to keep it in!

[gardenfiend138]

I've already talked with AP, and he said a 40W would be fine but an 80 W would work too. I am still wondering how well it heats inside the hide? What are your temps read directly above the hide and inside the hide?

[Vypyrz]

What size of cage are you planning on getting?

[Evenstar]

I've already talked with AP, and he said a 40W would be fine but an 80 W would work too. I am still wondering how well it heats inside the hide? What are your temps read directly above the hide and inside the hide?

I have a 3x2x2 foot PVCcages.com enclosure for my GTP. The hotspot is not where a hide box would be - it's up on the perch nearest the RHP. I have a hotspot there of 88 and the ambient temp is 78. I am using a 40 watt RHP but my room temps are higher at around 72-74. The RHP is the only heat source.

But the size of the cage is going to depend on which wattage you get. If your room temp is only 60 and if your cage is more than 18 inches tall, I'd go with the higher wattage....

[gardenfiend138]

Ahh I see, yeah my problem is it's going to be for a ball. I am still deciding between 12 and 18" high, but it will be 3'x2'. I am leaning towards the 80W too, they're not much more expensive. I'm just hoping I won't need to buy another thermostat to regulate a UTH and RHP. Thank you for the replies!

[Evenstar]

Ahh I see, yeah my problem is it's going to be for a ball. I am still deciding between 12 and 18" high, but it will be 3'x2'. I am leaning towards the 80W too, they're not much more expensive. I'm just hoping I won't need to buy another thermostat to regulate a UTH and RHP. Thank you for the replies!

Yes you absolutely WILL need 2 t-stats!! Unless your current t-stat operates dual zones. An RHP must be on a t-stat just like your UTH.

For a 12-18" high enclosure, I'd be worried that an 80 watt will put out too much for you - but on the other hand, your room temps are only 60 so I dunno... I would say, use a 40 watt if you are using it WITH a UTH, but an 80 would probably be good if your using it by itself (on a t-stat).

[gardenfiend138]

It is a given that any heat source must be regulated. I have never seen a RHP in action, so I have no idea of their actual output. My question is will a RHP be able to give an adequate hot spot inside a hide without overheating the enclosure? Or will a UTH probably be necessary?

[AGoldReptiles]

RHP's do not raise the ambient temps a whole lot. They work similar to how heat tape or a heat pad would increase ambient temps. So as long as you get a powerful enough RHP and regulate it with a t-stat you should be good. I use and recommend Helix RHP's.

[Evenstar]

It is a given that any heat source must be regulated. I have never seen a RHP in action, so I have no idea of their actual output. My question is will a RHP be able to give an adequate hot spot inside a hide without overheating the enclosure? Or will a UTH probably be necessary?

If your room temp is only 60 I think that you'll need a UTH as well. The RHP will create a hotspot just fine for you, but I don't think it would raise the ambient temps from 60 up to 78-80ish. An RHP is my GTP's only heat source, but again, my room temp is already about 72-74 so it only has to raise the cage's ambient temps by 4-6 degrees - not 20. You might think about bumping up your room temps if it's possible.....

RHP's do not raise the ambient temps a whole lot. They work similar to how heat tape or a heat pad would increase ambient temps. So as long as you get a powerful enough RHP and regulate it with a t-stat you should be good. I use and recommend Helix RHP's.

Yes, Helix are very good, and I use and recommend the ones from Reptile Basics. Rich is great to talk to about stuff like this too - he was a BIG help to me.