Quote Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy View Post
I currently have a T8 setup with an RHP in the enclosure, mounted to the ceiling and heat tape mounted to the bottom outside of the enclosure. Both run on a Herpstat II thermostat. I have played around with both heat sources. Here is what I have found....

1. The RHP is awesome. If you go with a divider for whatever reason in a T8, two 40w RHP's are great. If you don't use the divider, one 80w will work. I've had mine about a year with no issues.

2. Heat tape alone would be disappointing. I found that in my house (usually around 68 degrees F), my 24"x12" heat tape has to work pretty hard to keep the surface temp where I want it. This makes sense, as there is a lot of surface area, and the heat tape has to heat through 1/2" of pvc.

3. Like you, I like having a "backup", so I chose to run the RHP and the heat tape. I have heat tape only under the warm side, and I have it set so the surface temp would have to drop to around 85 degrees before it will kick on. My RHP runs about 30% most of the time and keeps the entire cage pretty spot on.
I'm looking to get the exact same setup as you (T8 with no divider and my house is kept cool too). Do you bias the placement of your RHP to one side or the other, or is it centered? What are your warm side vs cool side temps and so you take temp readings inside the hides?


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