reptilebasics heat tape issues

[Mojo9120]

hey everyone, i just finished setting up two 3'Lx2'Wx1'H reptile basics PVC cages, i also purchesed the heat tape they offer to fit the bottom of the cages.

i set the thermostat probe floating to read the ambient air temp, it was saying that it was about 75° so i felt where the heat tape was and it was extremely hot, i set the probe on it and the temp shot up to 163°(way to hot for my hognose's) now i have the thermostat probe sitting on the bottom of the tank where the heat tape is, i have it set for 90° but the air temp is sitting at 65-70°.

my question is how can i heat the cage without dropping another $200 on two RHP and without drilling into them...

[bigsnakegirl785]

With heat tape, you either heat the entire room to the minimum ambient temperature, or you will have to buy an ambient heater like an RHP or CHE. There's simply no way around it, heat tape is not designed to heat the air and does not do it well. Especially in a full-sized viv.

With a 3' enclosure you should only need a single 40 watt RHP, especially since it's only a foot tall.

[Mojo9120]

With heat tape, you either heat the entire room to the minimum ambient temperature, or you will have to buy an ambient heater like an RHP or CHE. There's simply no way around it, heat tape is not designed to heat the air and does not do it well. Especially in a full-sized viv.

With a 3' enclosure you should only need a single 40 watt RHP, especially since it's only a foot tall.

okay then am i going to need a second thermostat? one for the heat pad and one for just the air temp?

[bigsnakegirl785]

okay then am i going to need a second thermostat? one for the heat pad and one for just the air temp?

If your thermostat only has one output, yes, you'll need a separate thermostat to control each heating element. Some people do plug multiples up, but I myself am very wary about doing that, especially when the heating elements are two completely different things.