Radiant Heat Panels??? - Where Responsible Reptile Keepers Connect!

HotWheels301 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 12:02 AM

The more I read about the radiant heat panels, the more I think I want to go that route. I'll be heating a 48"LX24"WX24"H for a 30" BCI. Anybody know what size I would need? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Ray

danktat · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 12:09 AM

Can't give any adivce as far as size goes...I can tell you that they are really meant to raise ambients and not as good for direct basking for raising body temps. Bulbs and Belly heat (UTH's) are better for that. I have found that for larger cages it is a good idea, if your snake room is in the 70's as far as temps go, to use a combination of both a UTH and a radiant. I don't use the radiants because the temps in my snake room are always 78° to 82°.

Johnny Utah · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 12:12 AM

I use Radiant Heat panels for my Arboreal Cages because UTH don't do much for air temperature. I got them from Pro-Products and they work great. I can't remember the guy I talked to, but he was a lot of help and very knowledgeable. Be careful though, he's going to try to talk you into ditching your UTHs and using nothing but radiant heat panels. lol

http://www.pro-products.com/proheat.html

Revj0e · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2007, 02:36 AM

ive orded 3 panels for pro and couldnt be happier and yes... you shoud run at least a small UTH in the cage for belly heat. I run a combo of flex and RHP in my 4x2x16 cage and its worked great so far. if you email them and tell them room temps, cage size, material, bedding, animal they can tell you the panel that will fit your needs. I think they make like 200 sizes plus can custom make one I think if you fall in a gray area. for your cage... your prlly looking at a PH-3 panel and they run about ~ $110 shipped i think.

HotWheels301 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revj0e

ive orded 3 panels for pro and couldnt be happier and yes... you shoud run at least a small UTH in the cage for belly heat. I run a combo of flex and RHP in my 4x2x16 cage and its worked great so far. if you email them and tell them room temps, cage size, material, bedding, animal they can tell you the panel that will fit your needs. I think they make like 200 sizes plus can custom make one I think if you fall in a gray area. for your cage... your prlly looking at a PH-3 panel and they run about ~ $110 shipped i think.

You nailed it. Bob said I needed a PH-3 and it was $106.90 shipped. I received it today and will instasll it tomorrow or Sat. morning. My enclosure has a plexiglass bottom, can I put an UTH under it? How hot will the UTH get and how much heat can plexiglass handle?

Revj0e · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007, 01:26 AM

you dont want them laying on it so Id mount it on the roof. I thibnk you can back mount them too but dont quote me on it. I actually just installed one in a new cage today (for Kira).

HotWheels301 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revj0e

you dont want them laying on it so Id mount it on the roof. I thibnk you can back mount them too but dont quote me on it. I actually just installed one in a new cage today (for Kira).

I was actually talking about an UTH for belly heat. Will an UTH be too much heat for plexiglass? I was planning on mounting the radiant panel to the top. Yeah, the radiant panels can also be side (or back) mounted as well, according to Bob at Pro.

Revj0e · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007, 02:37 AM

just be sure to run a thermostat or dimmer on your UTH and you sould be fine. Run one on your RHP also. I buld all my own dimmers. they run about 5or 6 bucks. Ive never ran anythingon plexiglass.... I would assume that it could take some heat, but UTH can get really hot so some type of control is essential. good luck