Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This winter in my garage I guessing it will get no colder than 30 degrees in the coldest of winter.I read that heat tape will heat up as much as 20 degrees more that the ambient air temp.So how is it this will keep at a constant 80-90 degrees without adding any other heat source.Is the rack system so efficient that it wont loose that much heat being its like a box in a box.Just looking at my options as now I'm thinking of energy efficiency as I will be having to make larger cages here soon as my bloods are growing.Using my 4x2x18" melamine cages I need to use a uth and a 150-250w ceramic heat emitter which after 4-6 of these, price and energy is lost.Any comments or ideas will be greatly appriciated. Thanks, Ethan

You might want to look into the Heat panels made by either "Pro-Products", or "Helix-controls", as they put out quite a nice amount of heat for less than half of the cost it will take for you to run ceramic heaters or any other type of heating device.
You should talk to them at either of these places and tell them what your needs are and figure out what size panel you will need for the cages you are using and possibly constructing.

I am using melamine cages too, and for my 45"x18"x16 1/2", I am using a 11"x 16" unit (65watt), and for the smaller unit: 35"x18"x16 1/2", I am using the smaller 11"x12" (40watt) made by Pro-Products. Give them a call, if you have the moneys for the first unit to work with.

Your temperatures in the garage are a bit extreme so I don't know that these will suit your needs so best to consult with them first and get the right answers. Best of luck. - Angel
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One man's fear is another man's fantasy!!

np