Heating enclosure questions

TroyL · 12-14-17, 05:21 PM

I recently acquired a 48x30x13 snake cage. its 1/8" plastic material. I am planning on putting my Brazilian in it.. My question/issue is how do I get this thing up to 80° F. My house is usually set at about 67 in the cold months. I have several options for inside the box.. newspaper, aspen or even mulch.. Guessing for what I am doing newspaper would prolly be best option currently.. I also plan on putting damp aspen or much in a box in it to raise the humid to the 90-95$ point. Any suggestions would be great.. I do have a lighting bulb socket in the unit.. Was hoping to do a heat panel but not sure that is going to be the best option as I don't really know how they work.

Posted pictures to get an idea of what I am working with.

Thanks in advance

Troy

Scubadiver59 · 12-14-17, 05:36 PM

User Cypress or Coco Husk mulch--they retain water longer and they're less susceptible to mold/mildew activity. You'll end up watering less. Besides, Aspen is too dusty.

Due to the height of the enclosure, I'd suggest a reflective heat panel (RHP)...an 80w from Reptile Basics would work well. I use RHPs in my 4'x2'x19" enclosures and have my thermostat probe coming in from the side, looping over the RHP power cable (at 90º angle) and hanging down onto the top of the hide. You could always drop it directly down from the top, unless you plan on stacking another enclosure on top, but it's your choice. It might be a chore to secure it--two screws at the ends of the RHP that will have to be secured from the inside of the top-- and then you'll have to worry about routing the power cable out either the back holes or cut a new hold in the back and/or top.

My RHP setup keeps the one side rather toasty during the day, and comfortable at night when I ramp the temp down, and the snake can bask on top of their hides if they want to get warmer. They'll end up pushing the probe over, but it will still work and not get too hot, and the probe should return to the top of the hide when the snake moves.

For lighting you could put a light in the back holes or you could install an LED light inside the enclosure as I did with a 24" 3500k LED (under-the-cabinet) light strip. I run a basic ZooMed timer/power strip to turn the lights on and off. This is another cord you'll have to route out of the cage unless you go with a lamp at one of the back holes.

I'm sure you'll get some other comments and or suggestions...good luck!

TroyL · 12-14-17, 06:37 PM

I thought that the ones Reptile basics sold were RBI Radiant heat panels? I was told those only heat whats under them not the air temp.. I was emailing them the last couple days about a RBI radiant panel..
not worried to much about putting in another hole.. I was planning on using belly heat for the hot spot.. But the more I read the more confused I become. I have had her a week tomorrow and it still hasn't eaten.. Thats more of my concern atm. Yeah I know its only been a week but this is the most I have ever spent on a reptile.
I will try the much or coco husk mulch in it for the humidity.

Troy

Jim Smith · 12-14-17, 10:51 PM

I recommend the RHP from ProProducts Pro Heat They're super easy to install and they do a great job of keeping the temperature nice and even in the enclosure. When used with a good thermostat like HerpStat from Spider Robotics, you can keep it within 1/10 of a degree. Great for peace of mind.

TroyL · 12-15-17, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I recommend the RHP from ProProducts Pro Heat They're super easy to install and they do a great job of keeping the temperature nice and even in the enclosure. When used with a good thermostat like HerpStat from Spider Robotics, you can keep it within 1/10 of a degree. Great for peace of mind.

How do you go about ordering them?

Jim Smith · 12-15-17, 08:22 AM

The best way go to their website and fill out the form. Pro Heat They will ask you several questions about the enclosure you're using (size, material etc.) and what species of reptile or snake that you will be housing and then recommend the right sized product for your specific needs. Then you simply order it. They are not a one size fits all since there are so many variables. They make the correct sized RHP for your application. Great folks to do business with. You can also call them directly if you want to talk through your specific needs. (845) 628-8960 Their RHP are a bit more expensive than heat mats etc. but IMHO far superior products that help protect your valuable snakes.

Scubadiver59 · 12-15-17, 01:58 PM

RBI = Reptile Basics, Inc.

Just like a UTH only heats what's directly above, the RHPs for the most part heat directly what's below--the hot hide--which is what I buy them for.

My rooms are kept at 71º-75ºF, so the RHP gives me enough of a gradient for the snakes to move from the hot end, below the RHP @ ~80º-85ºF, to the cooler end (ambient air temp).

I can see no reason to heat the entire cage w/o destroying the temp gradient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyL

I thought that the ones Reptile basics sold were RBI Radiant heat panels? I was told those only heat whats under them not the air temp.. I was emailing them the last couple days about a RBI radiant panel..
not worried to much about putting in another hole.. I was planning on using belly heat for the hot spot.. But the more I read the more confused I become. I have had her a week tomorrow and it still hasn't eaten.. Thats more of my concern atm. Yeah I know its only been a week but this is the most I have ever spent on a reptile.
I will try the much or coco husk mulch in it for the humidity.

Troy