RHP for monitor tank

[jpsteele80]

I know people have used radiant heat panels for snakes but has anyone used one in a monitor tank, not talking for the basking spot (I'll probably use 2 60 watt halogens for that) but to heat the rest of the tank? I've never used one but been reading a lot on them and I think it may be a really good option?

[Pirarucu]

I have heard of people using them, especially in very large enclosures which make it hard to keep the ambient temperatures where they need to be. In a smaller cage though they aren't needed.

[jpsteele80]

Yeah it's going to be at least 6 foot long 30 inches wide and 5 to 6 feet tall, don't know much about them and the area they could heat

[Mikoh4792]

I think a radiant heat panel would do well to heat the ambient temps.

[smy_749]

I don't think its necessary / useful. I find much more benefit in adding more bulbs, and creating more basking areas. If you have a large species, he will require more bulbs to create a basking area. This will be enough to heat your ambients. If you have a large enclosure and small species, you probably will house a few, in which case you will want numerous basking spots. The bulbs are enough to keep the cages heated and give the proper ambients. With very large enclosures, I don't think a radiant heat panel would do enough to make a significant dent in ambients anyways ? Moral of the story, you will benefit from simply adding more bulbs and more basking areas.

[jpsteele80]

It would be for a trio of ackies, I wouldn't think that having 2 different basking spots with 2 60 watt halogen flood bulbs at each basking site would heat that much area, I could be wrong but just doesn't seem logical

[formica]

for a trio, you want 3 basking spots ideally - 2 halogens at each will be more than enough to heat a 6x6 enclosure properly, unless you live in a particularly cold house and the enclosure isnt well insulated.

for night time ambient temps, RHP's are ideal, if you do not leave basking lamps on 24hrs a day

[jpsteele80]

No I leave them on 24/7 and my house stays between 76 and 78 degrees, I just didn't think the halogens would do the trick in heating that much space, I'll try it and see what happens, thanks

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by jpsteele80

No I leave them on 24/7 and my house stays between 76 and 78 degrees, I just didn't think the halogens would do the trick in heating that much space, I'll try it and see what happens, thanks

You would be surprised how well halogen bulbs heat when there is a few of them running, especially 24 hours. I don't do 24 hour lighting, and I let temps drop at night all the way down to 69-70 without any issues. Between 6-8 hours each night its lights and heat off for me.