Help please! Problem with heat...

[Saml8]

We built an enclosure for our common boa (5' long 2' deep 30" high). We built it this high to give him a little climbing room but the heat panel I purchased is not pushing heat to the bottom of the cage. We purchased a pro heat 125 (125 watt). If I run it nonstop (never shutting off) I might be able to get the top of a black hide to around 88/89° but the inside of the hide which is where he likes to go after he's eaten a meal is not getting up past 80/82. The upper part of the cage is plenty warm…
I need a solution!!!

I thought about building a shelf about half way down so that I can put the heat panel under the shelf and make it lower to the bottom. Does anyone have insight as to whether or not this would be a good idea or any other solutions??!?

Thanks in advance

[dangernoodles]

Get a UTH. It heats the tank from the bottom and from what I am guessing it only needs to cover the size of the hide. Set it on low or to a comfortable temp. (You´ll need a thermostat to do this.)

[Saml8]

Thanks for the reply. We've always used UTH with our glass terrariums but this is a wooden enclosure and probably will not be using a heating mat under it.

[dangernoodles]

Ohh. I don´t have any experience with wooden enclosures, not sure how they work but is a uth not wood safe?

[dangernoodles]

The problem is the heat panel not producing enough heat for the height of the enclosure, is there any panels you can find that produce more heat? 125 watt is pretty hot.

[chairman]

They make heat pads for reptiles that go inside the enclosure. Zoo Med Reptitherm Habitat Heater, Stanfield Heating Pad (made by Osborne Industries), Kane Pet Heat Mats. They come in a variety of sizes, especially the Stanfield and Kane ones. They all work best with proportional thermostats. Such a pad might get you a good hot spot on the floor.

That said, installing a shelf should probably suffice. As long as the bottom isn't dangerously cold, the snake can bask in the shelf and explore other areas to thermoregulate.

[dangernoodles]

They make heat pads for reptiles that go inside the enclosure. Zoo Med Reptitherm Habitat Heater, Stanfield Heating Pad (made by Osborne Industries), Kane Pet Heat Mats. They come in a variety of sizes, especially the Stanfield and Kane ones. They all work best with proportional thermostats. Such a pad might get you a good hot spot on the floor.

That said, installing a shelf should probably suffice. As long as the bottom isn't dangerously cold, the snake can bask in the shelf and explore other areas to thermoregulate.

Great idea- I have not heard of that before.

[Saml8]

Thanks for the ideas!