[Radiant Heat] RHP Installation

[Morrisr]

I just installed an 80 watt RHP in my custom enclosure and took out the CHE. As of now I mist about once or twice a week to keep the humidity around 60%. Who wants to take a guess on how often I will be misting from now on????

[jOHNNY t]

Re: RHP Installation

Once every week or two. Your set up look very nice.

[Morrisr]

Re: RHP Installation

Once every week or two. Your set up look very nice.

Thanks!
Should the RHP BE HOT TO THE TOUCH? I checked the temp with a heat gun and it says 194 degrees. I can't leave my hand on it for very long. My snake can't lay on it or nothing I know. A bump or touch would not hurt and I don't think she would just hold her head on it!!

[tsblair]

Re: RHP Installation

Thanks!
Should the RHP BE HOT TO THE TOUCH? I checked the temp with a heat gun and it says 194 degrees. I can't leave my hand on it for very long. My snake can't lay on it or nothing I know. A bump or touch would not hurt and I don't think she would just hold her head on it!!

Where is your heat probe. It shouldn't be running that hot. as with any heat source, you should try your best to limit the opportunity of your pet to come in contact with it.

[Morrisr]

Re: RHP Installation

Where is your heat probe. It shouldn't be running that hot. as with any heat source, you should try your best to limit the opportunity of your pet to come in contact with it.

The heat probe is 4" above the floor against the wall on the warm side. The ambient air temp is 81 after running 8 hours.

[Elizabeth94]

Re: RHP Installation

Heat panels are supposed to be hot to the touch. It is made so that you can touch it without being burned, but hot if you hold your hand on it for an extended period of time. I am not sure what brand your panel is but I have called about my Pro Products panel that was running at a surface temp of 180. They told me it was normal and that they are made to run 24/7.

I would not worry. Your snake is not likely to be burned since it is on top of the enclosure.

[Morrisr]

Re: RHP Installation

Heat panels are supposed to be hot to the touch. It is made so that you can touch it without being burned, but hot if you hold your hand on it for an extended period of time. I am not sure what brand your panel is but I have called about my Pro Products panel that was running at a surface temp of 180. They told me it was normal and that they are made to run 24/7.

I would not worry. Your snake is not likely to be burned since it is on top of the enclosure.

Thanks a bunch!!! I feel better now!
I also contacted Reptiles Basics this morning and they told me the same thing. This is my first RHP and I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. I also have a Boaphile on the way with an RHP installed in it. waiting, waiting, waiting...., but well worth it!! I will be using these for all of my heat from now on! My humidity seems so much better after only 12 hours!!!

[chiflyer]

Re: RHP Installation

That temp is definitely normally. They are hot too the touch, but as you said there's no way for the snake to do more than temporarily bump or touch it.

I keep a big water bowl directly under the RHP and almost never mist. Maybe sometimes in the winter if the snake is in shed. Otherwise, I have healthy and happy snakes who consistently have good sheds with no additional misting.

[Morrisr]

Re: RHP Installation

Once every week or two. Your set up look very nice.

Well, it's been over a week since I changed from the CHE to an 80 watt RHP and as of today the humidity on the warm side is right at 60% and the cool side is 68% and I have not misted the enclosure since I installed it! We will see how the end of week two looks!! I still have the habit of looking at it twice a day because I also check temps on ambient air and UTH as well, but I'm not having to spend time to get the misting bottle out!
Anyone need a used mister and CHE?? LOL!!

[Elizabeth94]

Re: RHP Installation

Great to hear! It is my first time using animal plastics and a RHP and I can say that the heat panel is awesome! I still have to spray, but I think its because my humidity gauge isn't reading right.

What are you using?

[Morrisr]

Re: RHP Installation

I have two different ones I use right now. I have one made by Fluckers and another made by Zilla. This is until I can save a little more and purchase a Herpstat 4!

[Reinz15]

Re: RHP Installation

Nice setup, and congratulations on your successful conversion!

[dumboa]

Re: RHP Installation

Looks very nice. RHP's do not zap humidity so you will probably be "misting" less. Nice enclosure to really show off your snake.