How to set up a PVC cage (AP T8) With Pictures!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Hello all, new to the site and the bp world. This thread has been extremely informative and helpful! I haven't gotten my first bp yet but am planning on picking one up in the next few weeks at a local show and wanted to get the cage secured before purchasing. Im pretty sure I've decided on a T8 but had a quick question. I live in Chicago and in the winter months my house temp drops to around 66/67 every night and part of the day. Knowing that would you recommend RHPs as well as the flexwatt? If so, do I just turn off or lower the RHPs in the summertime?


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Just like the heat tape the radiant heat panel will need to be controlled by a thermostat. The thermostat will keep the RHP at the proper temperature year round.

You can always add a RHP later if you need one. Installing a RHP is very easy, all you have to do is drill a small hole in the back of the cage for the power cord to pass through, and then screw the panel to the ceiling of the cage.

To start out with I would get a T8 with heat tape and 2x fluorescent light fixtures. These will add some heat to the cage. Have them on 12 hours a day. You will need a good thermostat to control the heat tape. I would recommend the herpstat 1. Later on you can get a RHP and a second herpstat 1 if needed.

If you want to just get everything setup from the start then instead of getting 2 herpstat 1's you can get a single herpstat 2. A herpstat 2 has two separate thermostats in one unit.