Heat Panels?

[Charles8088]

I have 2 enclosures with Pro Products panels, and 2 with Vivarium Electronics panels (which is what Reptile Basics sells). Both brands have worked well for me. All my enclosures are black PVC (2 are from Animal Plastics). I think the heavyweight champion of the panels is Pro Products heat panels.... that's just my opinion. The Vivarium Electronics "looks" nicer in a black enclosure because the panels are black. Pro Products, their panels are white (though, depending where the enclosure is placed in the room, you might not necessarily see that). If color is no issue, between those two, I like Pro Products better. And, Bob from Pro Products is great for support if you need to ask him anything.

The two Vivarium Electronics panels I purchased were purchased because I needed them quick, and I bought them from pangeareptile.com. Purchased at different times. Both times, I purchased on a Wednesday, and received it on that coming Saturday (3 days). Between Reptile Basics and Pangea Reptile, the latter was cheaper with shipping overall, and got to me faster. Pro Products, by contrast, they make them to order. Takes about 2-3 weeks, if not more.

My ball python is in a 4'x2'x15", with an 80 watt panel. All my enclosures are kept in a room that can get as low as the low 60's (sometimes with A/C, has reached high 50's). A/C is for the house, but the basement gets the brunt of the cool air. Both brand panels have had no issues keeping the temps right. All the panels I have are 80-watt.

Last note... I saw for the first time the Wilbanks brand. Never has one, but the few reviews I've read have been good. The same 80 watt panels are shorter and thinner... and I think they look nice. But, they are a bit more expensive. You can look at those as well. I was considering getting one of theirs this week. (www.wilbanksreptiles.com).

I think you probably already know this, but any of these panels are going to need a dimming or pulse proportional temperature controller.

Hope this info helps... let me know if you need any more specifics.