rhp size questions

[snakekid6996]

I'm hoping to get my first amazon tree boa soon. I'm currently in the process of deciding on and buying the enclosure and set-up. I'm going to start with either a 70QT or a 116QT tub then sometime in the next year or so upgrade to a 2' cube pvc cage. Anyways, my question is should I get a 40W or 28W radiant heat panel? I was thinking I should buy a 40W, because they are the same price and my room has poor ventilation and gets cold in the winter (low 60's at times). However, it also gets hot in the summer and I don't want to over heat the enclosure. yes, it will be set-up with a thermostat, but I'm afraid the cool end will be to warm and there may not be enough of a temperature change for the snakes to choose from. I've never used a radiant heat panel, a tub, or a pvc cage before so I wanted to see what You guys think. Also, a baby amazon tree boa would be fine in this size enclosure as long as there is enough cover, right?

[marvelfreak]

A RHP would be to big for a tub or 2' cube pvc cage. I would use a UTH and just attach it to the side.

[Mikoh4792]

The 28 watt panel is perfect for a 2 foot cube. I use 28 watt rhp's in my 2x2x18" cages for carpet pythons.(in conjunction with heat pads for the winter)

[snakekid6996]

The 28 watt panel is perfect for a 2 foot cube. I use 28 watt rhp's in my 2x2x18" cages for carpet pythons.(in conjunction with heat pads for the winter)

Would it be to much for a 70QT tub? or a 116QT tub?

[Mikoh4792]

Would it be to much for a 70QT tub? or a 116QT tub?

What are the dimensions?

[snakekid6996]

a 70Qt is 13.5 " H x 16.25 " W x 26.13 " L
a 116Qt is 13.5 " H x 20.13 " W x 33.0 " L
I might also use a 110 qt which is 12.63 " H x 18.75 " W x 34.63 " L

[snakekid6996]

also, I'd prefer not to have to use a heat pad in conjunction with the rhp in the winter if I don't have to which is why I was leaning towards the 40W. However, I know they need a good thermal gradient and I'm afraid a 40W might not offer much of one.
If I did use a 28W and a heat mat in the winter how big would the uth have to be, where would it be placed, and could they go on the same thermostat?

[Mikoh4792]

Only if the thermostat has two probes to control two different heat sources independently of eachother.

A 40 watt might be a bit much as you say you won't have much room for ambient temps.

[snakekid6996]

Only if the thermostat has two probes to control two different heat sources independently of eachother.

A 40 watt might be a bit much as you say you won't have much room for ambient temps.

do You think that a 28W set at 90 degrees (at the basking spot) would keep the ambient temp up enough during the winter in a room that drops into the 60's? if not an I do have to purchase a uth with it I would also have to buy an extra thermostat as well?

[Mikoh4792]

Depends on what ambient temps you are shooting for. My ambient stays around 78F during the winter when the hotspot is at 90F(rhp alone). For this reason I use the UTH to raise floor temps just a bit.(This is for carpet pythons, not amazon tree boas)

All heat sources need to be controlled via thermostat. So if your thermostat only controls one heat source, yes you will need to get a thermostat for the UTH as well.

[snakekid6996]

Depends on what ambient temps you are shooting for. My ambient stays around 78F during the winter when the hotspot is at 90F(rhp alone). For this reason I use the UTH to raise floor temps just a bit.(This is for carpet pythons, not amazon tree boas)

All heat sources need to be controlled via thermostat. So if your thermostat only controls one heat source, yes you will need to get a thermostat for the UTH as well.

How cold is Your room temps in the winter? From what I've read the most common temperature gradient atb's are kept at are from about 75-90F (lowest and highest temps of each side I've herd of). However, I would like to keep the hotspot at around 90 with the ambient/cool side staying at about 77-82ish.

[Mikoh4792]

Then a 28 watt alone should be sufficient. My room gets to around 70F in the winter. On the coldest days it will get to around 68F.

[snakekid6996]

Then a 28 watt alone should be sufficient. My room gets to around 70F in the winter. On the coldest days it will get to around 68F.

okay, thank You so much for Your help. My room does drop into low 60's at the coldest I think, but the tub is also smaller than a 2'X2'X18" pvc enclosure so Hopefully it will suffice.

[Mikoh4792]

No problem. And just to add, my hotspot is about 5 inches under the RHP on a perch.

[snakekid6996]

out of the sizes I was looking at which enclosure do You think would offer the greatest thermal gradient while still remaining within the 77-90F range?
The sizes were:
70Qt -13.5 " H x 16.25 " W x 26.13 " L
92Qt-17.63" H x 16" W x 25.75" L
104Qt- 20.13" H x 18.63" W x 23.63" L
110Qt-12.63 " H x 18.75 " W x 34.63 " L
116Qt- 13.5 " H x 20.13 " W x 33.0 " L
I am starting to lean towards a 104Qt, but I think any of these could be acceptable as long as the entire enclosure has a good thermal gradient staying within the limits. Sorry for all the questions. I've just never used anything besides fish aquarium's and uth's for my pet snakes so all of this equipment is a new to me and so is the species of snake and arboreal species in general. Even with all the research I can do it's a bit hard to choose what to do with no experience. I just want to make sure I do the best I can for my new, and first, atb. :P

[Mikoh4792]

edit : wrong thread