Radiant Heat Panels in Canada?

[Little Wise Owl]

Does anyone know of reputable Radiant Heat Panel distributors in Canada? What size would you recommend for a 4'x2'x12"H PVC enclosure in a room that's typically around 67-71F? I wanted one from Reptile Basics Inc. but I don't think they ship to Canada and I can't figure out if someone here distributes them.

Thanks

[Stewjoe]

Cornel's World Terrariums in Calgary has 40w and 80w heat panels. A 40 might work but I would go with an 80 to be safe. The cost difference is only around $30. There's a couple distributors in Ontario but I don't recall who.

[thawes]

I've used 40w in my 4' enclosures and they heated them just fine. I bought mine from Exclusive Snakes, and they're great to deal with. Pro Products in NY ships to Canada and they have a great product as well.
Cheers
Terry

[lady_bug87]

Sweet I was wondering this myself.

[Terranaut]

Not listed on their site but write to Jeff on this link and tell him you want a 80 watt. I got all of mine from Jeff.
Exclusive Snakes - Contact Us (http://www.exclusivesnakes.com/ContactUs.html)

[Little Wise Owl]

Thanks for the replies.


Not listed on their site but write to Jeff on this link and tell him you want a 80 watt. I got all of mine from Jeff.
Exclusive Snakes - Contact Us (http://www.exclusivesnakes.com/ContactUs.html)

Are you happy with your RHP? Do you use a thermostat with it? If so, which type?

I've used 40w in my 4' enclosures and they heated them just fine. I bought mine from Exclusive Snakes, and they're great to deal with. Pro Products in NY ships to Canada and they have a great product as well.
Cheers
Terry

Thanks, I'll shoot Pro Products an email.

[thawes]

You need to run your panels off a t-stat. I had 4 panels running off a VE-200, the only reason I don't use them anymore is I've switched my room to ambient heat.

[Little Wise Owl]

Why do thermostats need to be so expensive ):

I'd need to buy one VE-200 for each RHP, right?

[Mikoh4792]

Why do thermostats need to be so expensive ):

I'd need to buy one VE-200 for each RHP, right?

Or you can save money and get a VE or Herpsat that controls multiple probes.

VE-300x2(Controls two)

Herpstat 4(Controls four) or if you only need to control two than Herpstat 2

[Little Wise Owl]

Thank you. I'll look into a Herpstat 4

[thawes]

Any thermostat will have it's limits. The VE-200 for instance has a 700w capacity...so technically you could run 17 40w RHP's on one VE-200. I wouldn't load one t-stat that much, but you get the point.

Terry

[thawes]

Or you can save money and get a VE or Herpsat that controls multiple probes.

VE-300x2(Controls two)

Herpstat 4(Controls four) or if you only need to control two than Herpstat 2

These thermostats are for running multiple probes at different temperatures.

[Little Wise Owl]

Any thermostat will have it's limits. The VE-200 for instance has a 700w capacity...so technically you could run 17 40w RHP's on one VE-200. I wouldn't load one t-stat that much, but you get the point.

Terry

How do you run multiples on a single unit (such as one VE-200)?

[thawes]

How do you run multiples on a single unit (such as one VE-200)?

Plug a power bar into the back of the t-stat, then plug the cords from the RHP's into the power bar. As far as probe placement goes, I secure the probe near the floor of the enclosures...set the temp on the t-stat and you're in business!

You don't have to use a VE t-stat. You could use any type really...Herpstat, Helix, Johnson, Ranco, etc..just make sure you don't overload the wattage on them.

[Little Wise Owl]

Thanks! I figured that was how it was done but thought there was something more fancy and elaborate to it. haha

[thawes]

Honestly, the hardest part about it is finding the best place to secure the probe that works for your application.

[Mikoh4792]

These thermostats are for running multiple probes at different temperatures.

Thanks! I figured that was how it was done but thought there was something more fancy and elaborate to it. haha

No they are for running multiple probes for different heat sources no matter what temps you set them at.

It's not responsible to put multiple heat sources on one probe. What happens if the one the probe is on fails? The others overheat and you've potentially just lost a group of animals.

One probe for each heat source, no excuses.

[Little Wise Owl]

So, we're back to incredibly expensive. Awesome. lol

[Mikoh4792]

So, we're back to incredibly expensive. Awesome. lol

Yes I know but it is worth it in the long run, for the safety of your animals and your peace of mind knowing that each heat source is backed up with it's own monitor.

[Terranaut]

So, we're back to incredibly expensive. Awesome. lol

I use 1 panel with 1 hydrafarm. All toll less than $175 for both. Had them a couple years now with no issues.

[Little Wise Owl]

Herpstats don't run cheap here in Canada, apparently. Either buying from a distributor or importing is going to cost $500 then we're looking at $100+ per panel.

Ugh, why do I like reptiles so much? lol

[Little Wise Owl]

I use 1 panel with 1 hydrafarm. All toll less than $175 for both. Had them a couple years now with no issues.

Good to know, thank you.

[thawes]

No they are for running multiple probes for different heat sources no matter what temps you set them at.

It's not responsible to put multiple heat sources on one probe. What happens if the one the probe is on fails? The others overheat and you've potentially just lost a group of animals.

One probe for each heat source, no excuses.

Sure, any malfunction could prove disastrous when you're dealing with heating elements, but those units with multiple probes are designed to run a different temp at each probe. Whether you decide to use one probe per enclosure or not is entirely up to you. I recently revamped my whole room setup and went with ambient. I run a heater off a thermostat, and should that thermostat fail, there's a built in stat on the heater itself to back it up. I sleep easier now knowing that should there be a malfunction my animals wont experience the extreme heat that flexwatt or RHP's can put out.

[Mikoh4792]

Sure, any malfunction could prove disastrous when you're dealing with heating elements, but those units with multiple probes are designed to run a different temp at each probe.

So how exactly does this negate my statement that each heat source should have it's own probe?

No they are not designed specifically for heating different heat sources of different types or wattages set to different temperatures. They are designed to heat multiple heat sources individually whatever the temperatures are set to.

Again it's counter productive to have one probe for multiple heat sources. one with the probe fails, the others overheat. This alone should be the sole reason for having one probe for each heat source.

[Terranaut]

I read the comment about the power bar... just don't do this ever ok. Do I really need to explain why it's bad? No need to take this thread there.

[Stewjoe]

Again it's counter productive to have one probe for multiple heat sources. one with the probe fails, the others overheat. This alone should be the sole reason for having one probe for each heat source.

Not necessarily, if my herpstat 4 detects that the heat is not increasing when power is applied it alarms and shuts off that outlet. You would run into problems if the heat tape other than the probe one malfunctions and overheats. Running one probe per enclosure would shut down the overheating cage once it detects it.

[Mikoh4792]

Not necessarily, if my herpstat 4 detects that the heat is not increasing when power is applied it alarms and shuts off that outlet. You would run into problems if the heat tape other than the probe one malfunctions and overheats.Running one probe per enclosure would shut down the overheating cage once it detects it.

You just proved my point. Exactly why one probe per heat source is necessary.

Why are you using the herpstat 4 as an example? We are talking about one probe for multiple heat sources.

[Stewjoe]

I don't know if the other models have the same feature, I just have experience with the 4. I could just as easily run multiple cages off one probe. I only ever use one probe per enclosure too, multiple cages on one probe is asking for trouble. Even my rack will vary 5 degrees f from top to bottom.

[Mikoh4792]

I only ever use one probe per enclosure too, multiple cages on one probe is asking for trouble.

So what point are you making? I said you need one probe per heat source. What do you mean by not necessarily? All I've seen you do is argue my point for me which confuses me.

[reptocarl]

Hi, I'd like to throw my two cents in. I use an 80 watt reptile basics rhp controlled by a reptile basics ve300 proportional thermostat. The ve300 is worth the extra money because it has the night drop feature and warning alarms. My bull snakes cage is a proline 48x24x18 and has both day and night lighting which are on timers. When the day lighting shuts off so does the heat just like in nature. I bought too big of an rhp. A 40 watt would be fine for my snakes setup. For a 12 inch high cage i would go with reptile basics 28 watt unit.

[Little Wise Owl]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[KORBIN5895]

I would personally buy the biggest rhp you can afford. You never know when you may up size a cage or what not. for a $30 difference on something that last 15+ years its a better investment.

Secondly Mikoh is right. One probe, one heat source means minimal deaths if a t-stat fails. I have heard of 2 people losing most of their collection because of ONE thermostat failing. I also heard another person that hurt two boas because of ONE t-stat failing. Anything else is an irresponsible gamble. If you are too cheap to safely set up your animals I recommend a new hobby, like pet rocks, AaronS can hook you up as his breeding project is really taking off.

One heat source is an rhp, a heat pad, a heat lamp or a piece of heat tape. If you can use one heat source on multiple enclosures then one probe is fine. An example of this is a shelf holding three enlcosurea heated by on piece of heat tap or one rhp spanning two enclosures.

[Mikoh4792]

] If you can use one heat source on multiple enclosures then one probe is fine. An example of this is a shelf holding three enlcosurea heated by on piece of heat tap or one rhp spanning two enclosures.

Right, basically a racking system with one strip of flex watt heating multiple tubs can/has to be controlled with one probe.

[LoLzMachine]

just a quick note if your only a couple hours from the boarder just ship it to a parcel company like the ones in Pemina ND some will even bring your packages across the boarder for you if you dont have a passport or car

[Little Wise Owl]

Unfortunately the border is a 5 hour drive from here ): Thanks though.

[Little Wise Owl]

I would personally buy the biggest rhp you can afford. You never know when you may up size a cage or what not. for a $30 difference on something that last 15+ years its a better investment.

I thought about that but I don't think I'll be upgrading my 2 BPs to anything bigger than 4'x2'. Would you recommend a 40watt or an 80watt for this situation?

[Terranaut]

4x2x16" with an 80watt. Works great and I am sure you can get one Sunday. Jeff is at all the expos.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20131105_191221_HDR_zpsd96886a3.jpg

[Little Wise Owl]

Thanks :)

How much did you pay for the 80w if you don't mind me asking?

[Terranaut]

I don't remember exactly but I bought a few and they are fantastic. Did you call Jeff ? They are in GTA as well.