New enclosure / RHP heating issues...temps too low

[HanabiraAsashi]

I dunno if im unusual, but i use the UTH for hot spot and RHP for ambient. Its sitting over the hot side to heat it up a bit more, but its primary function is to keep my tank at 80 so I could use app controlled LED lights instead of a lamp for heat/light.

[chrid16371]

It doesn't matter if the cage is 2ft 3ft 4ft 5ft or 6ft long.if a 40w rhp gives a hot spot of up to 40c in a 3ft x 1ft viv then it will give a hot spot of up to 40c in a 5 ft x 1ft viv because it's the same distance away from the floor. I've never used a 40w but I would have thought that it isn't working properly if it's not heating enough to give a Good hot spot.

Yes the 40w would give the same hot spot temp in any cage that is the same height but the issue was he couldn't get his hot spot to temp with the 40w on full power so he needs a more powerful 80w to reach the desired temp. Also if the 40w can't get the hot spot to temp there is a good chance it won't get the cool side to temp either.



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[chrid16371]

I dunno if im unusual, but i use the UTH for hot spot and RHP for ambient. Its sitting over the hot side to heat it up a bit more, but its primary function is to keep my tank at 80 so I could use app controlled LED lights instead of a lamp for heat/light.

Yes led would be the best choice, no reason for a light that gives off heat. I also have one of my setups that I use rhp with a Kane heat mat but now that I have 2 other setups with rhps I realize it is unnecessary and just takes up a spot in my Herpstat 6. Having the rhp over the hot spot and set so the ground is 90 radiats plenty of heat to the cool side keeping it between 78-80. Radiant heat I hear is also healthy and therapeutic for reptiles so rhp may be the best way to heat without additional heat sources.

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[Scottywelsh]

Yes the 40w would give the same hot spot temp in any cage that is the same height but the issue was he couldn't get his hot spot to temp with the 40w on full power so he needs a more powerful 80w to reach the desired temp. Also if the 40w can't get the hot spot to temp there is a good chance it won't get the cool side to temp either.



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Alot of people use the 40w with no problem so it surely has to be able to get hot enough to get a good hot spot. That's the way I've been looking at it anyway and what brought me to the assumption that it's likely to be not performing as well as it should be

[Captainsloose]

my lighting is LED...

unfortunately i am forced to buy another 40W, since I mis sized it and its not on RBI, it's on me, instead of returning it and getting an 80.

The paving stone helped a LOT in keeping the temps higher... but it's still running pretty much uncontrolled non stop with few "off" intervals. The temps outside have been all over the place with a cold snap we are having (i even had to turn on the heat again yesterday morning because it was 55F outside and like 65F inside) ... When the temps are dipping at night the 40W cant keep up. This will CERTAINLY be an issue when winter hits.

Anyway, the paving stone helped a lot. I may put his hide on top of the stone to give him belly heat from the RHP. if that's still not enough from having 2x40W RHP i will be forced to put an UTH under the paving stone and keep a temp probe on the stone itself. I may add some reflectix insulation to the walls as well to reflect some of the heat inwards and not let the plywood absorb it.

i'm going to stick with the VE100.