Opinions on only using a radiant heat panel?

[BigCeC43]

I'm getting a new enclosure and I thinking of just getting the RHP w/ no Belly heat. I like the idea of using both, but i don't like the idea of buying another thermostat to keep both under control.

I contacted Pro Products about their RHP and their take was that reptiles are used to having an above radiant heat source. They said that heat from the surface is foreign and isn't all that important.
Now... obviously just they are trying to sell their products, but it does make sense to me.

So I guess my question is does anyone have a tank adequately heated with just a RHP? Since It would be controled by my Herpstat the temp would stay consistent.

[JLC]

I think it's silly to say that heat from below is "foreign" to snakes and other basking animals. Many, many different reptiles will bask on a rock or roadside AFTER the sun has gone down that is still radiating heat after sitting in the sun all day.

That being said...If you can use a single heat source to get the proper gradient in your enclosure, I don't see a problem with that. I've seen plenty enough evidence of snakes thriving on nothing but an overhead source of heat. The critical thing is to make sure that proper temps are maintained consistently...not whether that heat comes from above or below.

That's my opinion on the matter, anyhow.

[SnakeBabe]

I use only radiant heat panel for all my pets. My husband has for over 20 years and we can’t say enough good things about them. Safe, gentle heat. We heat a 12x12 room for our birds with one.
Half of them we got from Bob at Pro-Products. He is the best!
Hugs and Hissessss,
Maria

[MarkS]

I think it's silly to say that heat from below is "foreign" to snakes and other basking animals. Many, many different reptiles will bask on a rock or roadside AFTER the sun has gone down that is still radiating heat after sitting in the sun all day.

I was thinking the exact same thing. It particularly seems silly to make that kind of a statement about an animal that is mainly nocturnal and wouldn't typically be out basking under the sun during the day.

I've wanted to try heat panels for some of my other snakes, but I've been leary about trying it because I've heard some reports that they can short out in a humid or damp environment, which I suppose could happen to any electrical source inside a cage.

My herp room can get really dry in the wintertime and I'll often spray down my tubs and cages with a garden sprayer in the winter so I've always been hesitant about putting anything electrical inside the cages which isn't well sealed. Does anyone know how well these heat panels are sealed against moisture?

Mark

[BigCeC43]

So now I'm starting to wonder what gradient I would get. I'm planning on getting a T3 from Animal Plastics (36x24x12).

If the panel was set at 92 on the warm side I would hope the other side would be about 10 degrees cooler, unfortuanetly I won't know until I buy the tank.

However, I was told by AP that their belly heat won't effect the air temp so my placement of the RHP would still have to be the same I guess.

[BigCeC43]

Anyone else

[invadertoast]

I use a RHP as my only heat source in a homemade wooden cage (approx. 40x20x18) and my temps stay right where they should. My hot side stays between 92-94 with the cool side at 80. It works great!