Rhp wattage

Mayj12 · 01-08-20, 07:43 AM

Hello everyone, just signed up 5 minutes ago lol. I've been researching for the past 2 weeks on boa care. My little girl has been fascinated with snakes since she was 3. She's 15 now and has been asking for one almost ever since. So taking the plunge. I just built a 4x2x 2ft high cage out of melamine. Trying to get everything right before we go to a show in a couple weeks to pick one up. The question is, what wattage of a heat panel would suffice for this? I've seen people say 40 then others 80. Most cages they talk about are only either 12 or 15 inches high. Will those still be enough on a 2 foot tall cage? I just want to make sure I get this right to make it easy on the snake and on me Haha.

toddnbecka · 01-09-20, 01:11 AM

Depends on your average room temp, but 80w should be sufficient. That size enclosure will also fit a 120w panel, I use those in all my 2x4 enclosures regardless of height. Just use a good quality t-stat to regulate it, and it will only draw the necessary amount of electricity in any case. I use herpstats for all my individual enclosures, and Helix DBS 1000's for racks. They're proportionate, not on/off operation.

Mayj12 · 01-09-20, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the reply. The average room temp is around 72 degrees give or take a couple either way. I just went ahead and e-mailed the guy from pro products with my dimensions and room temps and he gave me told me what I would need. Pretty much what you said with a 100w panel.
Don't know why I built it so tall. I guess since I read boas like to climb I just wanted to give it some room upwards. Probably too much I guess. Good thing is he said it would also work in a 2x6 as long as I kept it to 15 to 18 inches tall. So if needed, I don't have to buy another panel if it outgrows this cage.

toddnbecka · 01-11-20, 02:52 AM

I have some pro products heat panels, but most of mine are from reptile basics. Less expensive and I haven't had any problems with them.

Whitefang · 01-11-20, 11:37 PM

Inkbird ITC-306T Pre-Wired Electronic Heating Thermostat Temperature Controller and Digital Timer Controller for Seed Germination Reptiles Hatching https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01486LZ50..._UaRgEbZVQHAH4

I use one of these for my ball python and got one for a chameleon I have. I’ve been really content with them and that brand in general