KIte, I AM NOT ARGUING any fact. Yes heat rises yes, yes it does , you are correct ! yes the top of my cage is hotter than the bottom but without cross ventilation heat does not move horizontally. That is why we have to have forced air furnaces of some type of fan in the room to circulate air if you heat your home with a radiant heat source. Without a breeze the room will have " hot spots " which is exactly what I created in my cage a thermal hot spot under the panel. You are the one arguing not me, I say the panels work in my situation you say its highly unlikly, Geesh! Dude I want to like you but with you its always constant drama!! I guess my point is if you do not prefer RHP for terrestrial animals , then dont use them! I personally like them. If they were bad or hurting my animals I would not use them, there are two ways to do the same thing and get good results. Your way works for you and my way works for me! Thats all.