What type of heat?

[Jodi2950]

Getting an older animal plastics t3 cage. What type of heat should I put in it? UTH mat, heat tape or radiant heat?
Also, which thermostat? Will only be controlling the one cage. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Ranulf]

I don't have much experiences with their cages, but you will definitely need belly heat. Many really like the heat tape but I have only ever used UTH.

For ambient, Radiant Heat Panels are the way to go if you don't heat the entire room to temp. There is a way to buy a RHP and send it to them to install on your enclosure, but if I understand properly, you're buying used.

The VE-300 thermostat has 2 probes and allows for regulation of two different heat sources. Herpstats are good too.

[Craiga 01453]

You don't need belly heat. I don't run belly heat in my PVC enclosures.

If you can I would definitely pick up a RHP. They're easy to set up, easy to dial in to achieve a proper temp gradient and run efficiently.

Many people swear by HerpStat thermostats. I haven't upgraded to them yet but plan to eventually. I currently run Jumpstart tstats on my enclosures and they definitely work well.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I don't have much experiences with their cages, but you will definitely need belly heat. Many really like the heat tape but I have only ever used UTH.

Why? You know there are plenty of keepers that heat the whole room only, the only time my heat tape is running is during the winter months because that room has some leaky windows.


*** Your heat source isnt as important as a quality thermostat.

[Jodi2950]

This cage is 3' x 2' x 1. That is big enough for a male BP? If so, is the RHP is able to run two different heat gradiants? I have no experience with RHP..... I used belly heat previously. I am going to get either a Herpstat or a VE stat. Not sure which one yet. Still shopping.
Also toying with the idea of constructing my own cage from plastic sheets from Home Depot. Doesn't look too difficult and then I could make it the size I want as well as install heat that I chose.
Suggestions? I want to get the cage right before I add BP.

[Ranulf]

If they are in their hides, any heat source from above is going to be blocked by the hide, or at least, the warmest part of the enclosure will be outside of the hide.

Not having belly heat underneath the hide requires the snake to choose between the highest heat and security.

Radiant heat is also harder to regulate due to thermodynamics. The sun usually gives a higher surface temperature than air temperature. Same with any radiant heat source. Thats why I use my radiant heat sources to maintain ambient (78-80°) rather than as hot side heat, where trying to make the inside of the hide 88-92 could result in surface temperatures of 95-100+ in the enclosure. Especially if you have taller decorations in your enclosure.

[PitOnTheProwl]

A good ambient temperature trump all.

[bcr229]

This cage is 3' x 2' x 1. That is big enough for a male BP? If so, is the RHP is able to run two different heat gradiants? I have no experience with RHP..... I used belly heat previously. I am going to get either a Herpstat or a VE stat. Not sure which one yet. Still shopping.
Also toying with the idea of constructing my own cage from plastic sheets from Home Depot. Doesn't look too difficult and then I could make it the size I want as well as install heat that I chose.
Suggestions? I want to get the cage right before I add BP.

The T3 is plenty big enough for a male BP. With a 12" high enclosure I prefer using heat tape versus a RHP, unless the ambient in the room is in the low 70's or below.

[Waterman]

I stopped using belly heat over 10 years ago. Use only radiant heat panels. Never a single issue. And helps with the ambients. Sure it might make it a little
cooler in the hide. But do you think a ball python on the wild is going to eat then go bask itself in the wide open on a rock or somewhere similar?

[Jodi2950]

Our night temps get down to 65 so will need something for ambient temps as well