Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I am getting ready to set up some new enclosures for a few of my rainbows who are getting ready to outgrow thier homes, and I am going to heat them using radiant heat panels. The enclosures look very similar to the oak enclosures that Dave has on his site. The gentleman from Helix said I shoud place the thermostat probe a few inches below the heat panel because he said this would be the best way to control the ambient temps, but I thought that it would be better to put it at the bottom of the enclosure, where the animals will spend most of thier time. I would appretiate hearing anyones thoughts on this.

Thanks
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Mike

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Peruvian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Argentine Rainbow Boas
1.1 Guyanan Rainbow Boas
1.1 Columbian Rainbow Boas
2.2 BCI
6.7 Corn Snakes
female Black Throat Monitor
too many geckos to count

Dave has radiant heat panels, so he can answer your question on placement of the probe. I would just like to state that no matter where the probe is that you will need to take temp readings from all parts of the cage and make any neccessary adjustments. Your snakes will thermoregulate thewmselves by moving to different areas, but you still want to avoid really hot or really cold spots in the cage.

My heat gun is one thing I use often to ensure temps are where I want them. If you do not already have a heat gun they have really come down in price over the last 5 or so years.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Mike,

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely be taking readings all over the cage. I do have a temp gun(best investment ever!) and will be checking the temps like crazy before they go in there.

Thanks
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Mike

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Peruvian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Argentine Rainbow Boas
1.1 Guyanan Rainbow Boas
1.1 Columbian Rainbow Boas
2.2 BCI
6.7 Corn Snakes
female Black Throat Monitor
too many geckos to count

Mine are probed just off the floor under the RHP. The floor i where they spend most of their time anyways.
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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 (05/26/2009):
36.51 BRB
29.42 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave,

Thanks for the input. Putting it on the bottom below the RHP is what I figured, but the Helix rep I bought the RHP's from was adamant about putting them up top, so I started to worry.

Thanks
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Mike

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Peruvian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Argentine Rainbow Boas
1.1 Guyanan Rainbow Boas
1.1 Columbian Rainbow Boas
2.2 BCI
6.7 Corn Snakes
female Black Throat Monitor
too many geckos to count