Radiant Heat Panels

[Exotic Ectotherms]

I just do not see why you would want a RHP for a Beardie, no matter what there has to be lights in the cage, so why not heat it with cheap ones?

Radiant Heat Panels are similar to ceramic heat emitters in how they put off heat. The difference is the RHP do not get scorching hot like a CHE or bulb. Also, the RHP will last 35 years +. Yes, they are expensive at first, but you don't have to worry about them burning out like a bulb. They are low profile and go inside of the cage, consequently there is no need for those dome lights. I plan on stacking a few cages, so this is a very good selling point.

[Skiploder]

I just do not see why you would want a RHP for a Beardie, no matter what there has to be lights in the cage, so why not heat it with cheap ones?

Define cheap - you spend $65 bucks on an RHP and that RHP is good for the life of your animal.

You don't have to worry about replacing them - and you don't have to worry about them cutting out, possibly burning the animal, breaking, etc.

Depends on how often you need to replace a heat bulb...........but factor in the life of the animal and the cost may be close to a wash.

[DutchHerp]

Whenever a bulb burns out, you buy a new one. Add the price of the bulbs up for about 10-15 years and you'll have your RHP together

They're just a much better, gentler, and longer lasting heating element.

I have a 36x24x24 AP cage with an RHP, and w/o the thermostat, it heats the basking shelf (halfway down the cage) to about 110!

[Beardedragon]

Define cheap - you spend $65 bucks on an RHP and that RHP is good for the life of your animal.

You don't have to worry about replacing them - and you don't have to worry about them cutting out, possibly burning the animal, breaking, etc.

Depends on how often you need to replace a heat bulb...........but factor in the life of the animal and the cost may be close to a wash.

So your telling the millions of people out there who use light bulbs... that they are dangerous and use RHPs? But hey... as long as it works and you have the proper uvb bulbs too, then go ahead.

Its not like they would help me any, my mvb bulbs that provide uvb adn heat have to be replaced once a year anyways.

[Beardedragon]

Whenever a bulb burns out, you buy a new one. Add the price of the bulbs up for about 10-15 years and you'll have your RHP together

They're just a much better, gentler, and longer lasting heating element.

I have a 36x24x24 AP cage with an RHP, and w/o the thermostat, it heats the basking shelf (halfway down the cage) to about 110!

I did a little math... When I use Reptisun 10.0s I buy my heat lamps from the dollar store for... well, a dollar... They last anywhere from 6 months to a year ( Lets say 6 months...) Thats $2 a year, beardies live on average 8-15 years... so lets say 15, thats $30 I would spend on bulbs its entire life, and so far ive no blow outs ( I like to replace them once they hit 8 months) SO... you could buy 30+ years worth of bulbs for the price of a RHP... cheaper? Yes...Safter? ?No problems so far! Beardies ( Who is an australian lizard, they like the sun...) love them! but again like my above post if it works why not? I just like to stick to the book and keep everything...ordinary.

[DutchHerp]

I did a little math... When I use Reptisun 10.0s I buy my heat lamps from the dollar store for... well, a dollar... They last anywhere from 6 months to a year ( Lets say 6 months...) Thats $2 a year, beardies live on average 8-15 years... so lets say 15, thats $30 I would spend on bulbs its entire life, and so far ive no blow outs ( I like to replace them once they hit 8 months) SO... you could buy 30+ years worth of bulbs for the price of a RHP... cheaper? Yes...Safter? ?No problems so far! Beardies ( Who is an australian lizard, they like the sun...) love them! but again like my above post if it works why not? I just like to stick to the book and keep everything...ordinary.

WOW! I didn't know they were only $1! That's pretty cool.

I just like RHPs for their fire safety, reliability, and capability. They can create a 90F hot spot when the room is 65.

I also like them because they're the only heat source you'll ever need (for most animals, at least) and they heat a great area of the cage.

It comes down to personal preference... and as to keeping everything ordinary, I think RHPs are a great new addition to the heating elements.

[juddb]

If he can afford the rhp, and they are safer to use than bulbs then i think he should go for it! They are a superior product and RHP's are just sweet!

[Beardedragon]

WOW! I didn't know they were only $1! That's pretty cool.

I just like RHPs for their fire safety, reliability, and capability. They can create a 90F hot spot when the room is 65.

I also like them because they're the only heat source you'll ever need (for most animals, at least) and they heat a great area of the cage.

It comes down to personal preference... and as to keeping everything ordinary, I think RHPs are a great new addition to the heating elements.

Yup! People buy those $15 bulbs you get at petcoThe only problem i still see is getting their basking platform up to 105

[DutchHerp]

If he can afford the rhp, and they are safer to use than bulbs then i think he should go for it! They are a superior product and RHP's are just sweet!

I agree!

[Skiploder]

So your telling the millions of people out there who use light bulbs... that they are dangerous and use RHPs? But hey... as long as it works and you have the proper uvb bulbs too, then go ahead.

Its not like they would help me any, my mvb bulbs that provide uvb adn heat have to be replaced once a year anyways.

Where did I say they were dangerous?

How about we stop worrying about defending our heat source of choice?

Radiant heat panels have significant safety advantages over light bulbs. DutchHerp and others have outlined them. If you want to infer from that that light bulbs are dangerous - well, go ahead - just don't attribute that view to me or anyone else on this thread who is rationally discussing the potential viability of using an RHP for a beardie set-up.

How many watts are those heat bulbs? Radiant heat panels can not only heat a spot, they can also raise the temperature of an entire enclosure.

So while we're factoring costs, we need to factor in the potential (if any) cost savings associated with using a more efficient product.