[Housing] Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

[motorhead1980]

Hello,

I will be moving my new 6' Boa into a PVC enclosure hopefully by next week(size is 48" x 24" x 16"H, and I have a few questions on heating it. The room that it will be in, ranges from 70 degrees at night to about 73 during the day. Right now in my 40 gallon breeder tank I have a UTH set at 88-90, and a CHE that keeps the ambient air on the warm side about 88, and the cool side about 78.

My question is, will heat tape be enough to heat the PVC enclosure to the right temperature ranges? Alot of people have said yes, I guess I find it hard to believe. Or will I need another heat source

Based on my understanding Boa's should be kept at the following, 88-90 right on the UTH, 78-80 ambient air temp on the cool, and 88-90 ambient air temp on the warm side?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks,

[sharudd30]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

You'll probably need a radiant heat panel as well.

[motorhead1980]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

That's what I figured, do my conditions sound correct though?

Does anybody know the best place to buy radiant heat panels in Ontario, Canada?

[Jrock23]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

you can try reptilebasics.com i know they have it for about 64 bucks or maybe animal plastic.

[sharudd30]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

I got my 3 from reptile basics. It came out to 240 for all 3 of them

[sharudd30]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

I keep my ambients at 85-88 on the warm side and 75-80 on the cool side

[motorhead1980]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

Thanks guys!

[pet_snake_78]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

I have an AP cage in a 75F room. I have to crank the heat tape to over 100F to create an 88F hotspot. I don't think it changes the ambient temperature much at all, though. However, I have a warm side hide and a cool side hide and in the hide box enough heat is trapped that they can sit in warmer air if desired. Mine really only use the warm side right after they've eaten.

[sharudd30]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

Heat tape is pretty much for belly heat not for ambient heat. It will do some good but if you're needing to raise ambients a rhp is the go to solution

[Sissysnakes]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

I got my radiant heat panels from Proheat, they are UL safety certified which is a wonderful peace of mind and the company was great to work with.

[DaChief]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

Heat tape is pretty much for belly heat not for ambient heat. It will do some good but if you're needing to raise ambients a rhp is the go to solution

Your are correct. But when you stack your enclosures that use heat tape the bottom of the top enclosure simulates above heat. The only enclosure that is only really belly heat is the very top enclosure. Doing it this way requires you to monitor your temps more often but it still works the same after you figure it out. I have my 4ftrs stacked and the very top one I keep my blood python in (lower temp than the boa's) and have it down to a tee. My bigger stand alone enclosures for my burms I use RHP.

[sharudd30]

Re: Heating my new PVC enclosure? Questions

It's easier to have rhp's they're made for that very purpose and I find that they work great and you don't have to worry about your heat tape Temps getting too hot trying to maintain the ambients