Quote Originally Posted by DutchHerp View Post
You really think so?

I just like heat panels because they heat a big area very well w/o any hot spots, and because they last for 35+ years, and because they're the only heat source I have to use and they can be on at night too.


I don't like UTHs because I like to use bark as substrate, and the amount of substrate really affects the temperature, so I have to check it everyday if there's not too much substrate covering the UTHs.

RHPs are just my thing.
I'm one of a few who think so. Like I said, it's just my opinion. The cost for a radiant panel for my cages would be around $100. My bulbs are around $1 ea. and last about 8 months with 12 hours of light per day. I've seen them gutted and they are nothing more than a heat cable, or heat tape, with insulation on one side to "radiate" heat to the other side.

My only other argument is that snakes don't get an 85 degree basking spot at night in nature. I know living in a cage is not natural, but why not try to duplicate nature to the best of our abilities. I don't give my chondros any night heat at all and my room in the winter gets down to 65-68.

Again, I've tried them and I think they are overrated and too expensive when compaired to other alternatives. And as mentioned in another thread, the largest producer of chondros and emeralds in the U.S. uses only lights for heat, with no night heat.

Use what works best for you and more importantly, your animals.