Adelita - 2019 Hypo Sonoran

[dakski]

First, she looks great! Glad she's eating and calm when handling.

Secondly, getting a PVC cage makes all the sense in the world. I have Boaphiles and many people here have AP cages.

Get a good cage that's well insulated, especially if you are going into the low 60's in your apartment in the winter.

Also, go overkill on the heating elements and get a good thermostat, preferably a redundant one.

If you put enough hides in there, she should be ok. I moved Feliz into his 4X2X1' Boaphile at about 180G, if that. However, hides, hides, hides. Make the tank feel cluttered.

PVC cages will also hold humidity well, especially if well insulated. I use paper and in the winter, when it's 25% in basement and 66-68F, I big bowl and occasional misting does the trick.

I would get a RHP and Heat Tape. I would do the heat tape on both sides of the tank if it's bigger than a 3X2'. If it is a 3X2', I would definitely consider very mild heat tape for the cool side.

My 4X2' tanks have an RHP and heat tape on one side and then lower wattage heat tape on the other side (cool side). They all run off the same thermostat and it keeps the hot side/hot spot about 88F and 78-80F on the cool side even in the winter.

I would consider a lower tank - like a 1FT high tank also. Easier to heat.

I never let my basement/reptile area get below 65F, however, I would not worry if it did, as I know I have put more than I need in terms of heating elements. I would rather have them barely run in summer and less in winter, as opposed to running all the time to try to keep up.

For what's worth, I recommend Jeff Ronne and Boaphile because he knows his tanks in and out and if you tell him what the temps get down to, and what size tank, etc. he will customize it for you.

Remember, Radiant Heat Panels (RHP) create a hot spot, but also warm the tank air. Heat tape/heat pads only heat the area they touch.

Additionally, RHP's do not dry the air as much as lamps do.

Please let me know if I can be of any help.