Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My gf ownes a "red tailed" boa. (Imp.) Due to household conditions we are now having issues maintaining the heat in its cage. It is in an enclosure by ConstrictorsNW measuring 48 x 24 x 15(iirc) with a heat pad on the bottom. We are considering switching to the Helix Radiant Heat Panels for heat. LLL reptiles has 3 sizes the small 11x16 seems to small, do you think the 11x30 would be too big and not allow enough of a cool side? Also we were looking into a thermostat for it as well. The Helix ones are great so I have heard but very expensive. They have one called Alife 1000 watt and its around 30 bucks instead of 130 like the Helix, is this because of brand name or is this a case of you get what you pay for? Any input on any of this would be appreciated. As it is the cage is running 94 directly on the pad, but just an inch or two away it drops to 84, and sometimes lower. The other side of the cage drops into the 70s pretty easily, around 72. I would appreciate input as soon as possible so I can get this ordered.

Is the room temp at least 70? If so, with your reported temps, you should be fine. Not optimal, but more than sufficient. That's more of a winter temp gradient anyway for those that do season their boas.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

room temp is 65 -70

You do get what you pay for with the thermostats. I think the one you mentioned is $40 now. I had 2 of those $30 thermostats with my first boas, and they broke within a year.

Check out Herpstats. Many more options, and better prices. Also digital proportional like Helix. They have a perfect track record as well.

Is this the only boa you have? Do you plan on getting more? If so, then you may want to look into the Herpstat PRO. It is $319, but is 4 in one. So it breaks down to $80 each. The cheapest option for top quality by FAR!

The features in the PRO are the same found in the ND, but that is $135. The ND is the single control version.

The regular Herpstat is only $109 though. Keep in mind boas live long lives, and a cheap thermostat will have to be replaced. So it is better to just invest from the start. Prevents wasted money in the long run.

As for the Heat Panels, they are good to raise ambient temps, but you can often do the same and for less money with a oil-filled radiator.

Still if you want to go the heat panel route, Pro-Products makes the best ones.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

Probably no more boas for a while. We have Kenya but in a totally seperate setup. The rest of the snakes in the stackable caging are corn snakes. Insulating the setup would be rather hard.

would still work to control those other cages. They are 10ft. long.

Just something to consider. I know you don't need fancy stuff for Cornsnakes, and Sand Boas are pretty full proof, but still.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

So where do I find their products that is reputable to buy from?

Sounds like you're dealing with the cool house/warm cage problem. The larger heat panel will provide a greater warm area. I'd rather not go over 24" but the 30" one could be OK. Do yourself a favor and check with pro products They have LOTS pof sizes and various wattages. The only way to get onbe from them is for them to select one based on your specific setup.

For T-stat, IMO you get what you pay for, the Helix is a very nice unit, I have a bunch. I also have several Herpstat Pro's...4 channel units with built in night drop, a little more expensive but less than the cost of two helix with night drop. If you have two or more adjacent setups to control, herpstat pro is the way to go. For a single cage, Helix.

One other thing to mention would be to insulate the cage to help retain the heat?? I've used a product called Reflectix, it's a heavy duty aluminuized plastic sheet of bubble wrap. Very effective at insulating. You could attach/fold/tape it to cover the top/sides/back of the cage?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

yea dont get the alife I bought two at the beggining of december and both broke within 3 weeks using well under max wattage and by broke i mean kept supplying heat , one cage was over 117f when i realized it was broke, i bought a herpstat pro its amazing each out let is linked to a dif. sensor and holds up to 400 watts so 1600 watts total i have six cages on it and it works great , has an alarm clock , night drop and to many other features to list.
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1.1 jungle carpets
1.1 sumatran bloods
1.1 het albino rtb

The cheap T-stats can break ON and cook your herps. The more expensive proportional are solid state and on fail are designed to shut off. Better cold than fried!!!!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I second this...Reflectix is a wonderful product...I insulate all my cages with it...goes on easily with aluminum foil tape...

I had trouble keeping decent temps as my snake room is around 68-70...Reflectix solved all my problems...it insulated so well I had to turn all the thermostats down...I highly recommend it...

it will save you on your power bill in the long run as well...
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Heather Martin
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Another option for a panel, so you can pick and choose.. ReptileBasics
It's their own design, easy install, and haven't heard of anything bad about them.

I agree, you get what you pay for with a thermostat. I've used those $30 dollar ones. Some last, some don't. Better to pay the little extra and never have to buy one again.