Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've considered getting one for backup heat in case of winter power outages to heat my herp room. Has anyone tried these? Is there too big of a risk to the snakes due to the possibility of fumes leaking?

Propane is much safer than kerosene, and that's just about your only alternative. That, or starting a fire in the middle of the floor. About two years ago, we had a kerosene fire in my dad's business, and it almost ran us bankrupt.

Fumes are bad, but you'll smell them immediately if it leaks. We have propane heat here as our furnace, and we've never had a problem with it. I know that's a bit different than a portable heater, but eh..

The propane heaters that are basically a heater head that mounts on the propane tank use to burn a bit better (less fumes) than the jet propulsion type. But that was several years ago, they might've improved a lot since then.

Like redmoon said, propane is safer than kero, at least, IMO, as far as handling, filling, etc... goes. The propane jet propulsion types burned cleaner than the kero jet propulsion.

Today's round kero heaters that use wicks (aprox. 22,500 BTUs) burn pretty clean with little to no fumes.

Propane might be a bit cheaper than kero, per unit, but I don't know about burn rate.

Good luck!
HH
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Thanks for the responses.

I just picked up the Mr. Heater "Buddy" indoor heater. Hopefully I'll hardly ever need to use it but the power does seem to go out quite a bit here. That could spell trouble if it happens in Dec. to Feb.

Last year, at my old place, the power only went out once when it was really cold. I bought a few dozen of those little packets they sell for camping, the ones you shake and they heat up for a few hours. They did the trick but barely. My "kids" were desperately clinging to the heat packs by the time the power finally came back on.

Just a fair warning they are both considered an open flame device which in most areas are against the law for use indoors, I could be wrong.

Also aren't you in an apartment, I would think the fear of a tataling neighbor would keep me from using it.

Just keep in mind that both represent a serious fire hazard and should be used with extreame caution.

Best of luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child -coming soon-

Hopefully it's legal. I haven't fired it up yet but it looks pretty well constructed. It is sold openly as an "indoor heater", although it clearly says to never use a refillable propane tank indoors, only the 1 lb disposable canisters.

Of course I'll only use it in emergency situations. As for the neighbors, I don't even let them know I have the snakes, much less the heater! Although I do have permission from the landlord for the snakes.
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0.1 Hog Island/Argentine Boa (Fluffy)
0.0.1 Ball Python (Grumpy)
0.1 Gopher Snake (Katrina)
1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake (Snowy)
1.0 Mexican Milksnake (Tiny)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Ken & Pat)

Hey, I am not saying I wouldn't use it in your situation. I am just sayin be careful, real careful.

Best of luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child -coming soon-