Heat source

[Skits]

I'll be most likely picking up a coastal carpet python in a week, once we finish building the enclosure for it, and I was wondering what the best heat source for them would be? Or is it just a matter of preference to the owners?

[Lankyrob]

A lot of it is owner preference :) Me i prefer Ceramic Heat emitters for all my snakes as it provides the most natural heat IN MY OPINION :)

[earlw]

I use flex-watt belly heat in some enclosures and overhead heat panels in others. I do notice that the carpets with the overhead panels sit out and bask more. They also seem to maintain a better ambient temp. As I buy new enclosures to replace racks, I'll be switching everything over to the heat panels.

I don't know about ceramic heat emitters or lamps - anything that gets really hot scares the heck out of me. Like the man said - owner preference.

[USMCgunner11]

I prefer the panels as well. In my observations, my snakes have been basking less with them. Last longer and are cheaper on the electric bill. After panels, CHEs would be the next best IMO.

[jaleely]

hey lankyrob! Tell me more about the ceramic heaters...what kinds, how you have it set up, power usage, and how long you have it on for.
I'm unhappy with my UTH setups and have been thinking of expanding into something else.

[Lankyrob]

hey lankyrob! Tell me more about the ceramic heaters...what kinds, how you have it set up, power usage, and how long you have it on for.
I'm unhappy with my UTH setups and have been thinking of expanding into something else.


The bulbs i use are non light emitting ceramic heat bulbs, i use 150w bulbs for a 4x2x2ft viv, they are thermostatted with pulse proportional thermostats and they keep the hot spot within a degree of whatever it is set at. The are all caged so that the snakes cant get to the actual bulbs and run 24/7.

In the future i will hope to upgrade (i consider it upgrading anyways :)) to the radiant heat panels, hopefully in plastic vivaria rather than wooden.

Here is a pic of the cage around the bulb in my GTP viv

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/04012012201.jpg

It is my PERSONAL oopinion that these bulbs or the heat panels provide more natural heat as they heat the air and the top of the substrate like the sun does in nature.

[Skits]

Haven't checked up on the forum in a few days, I'd love to get a couple heat panels but I don't know much about those just yet. But from what I've heard about them it's most likely something I'd get. I'll have to put some money aside as I'll be needing about 14 of them and I doubt they're cheap. I might go with ceramic heat bulbs in the meantime until I can get them and see how I like those. :)

[KORBIN5895]

I found a place in Florida selling 50w - 100w che for $20 . Check into them and check for shipping cost

[shaunyboy]

with all my carpets,i use non light emmiting ceramic bulbs,bulb guards and thermostats,the same type as Rob's


cheers shaun