Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading post on other sites and doing some searches and of course i come up with diff opinions. As of today what do you all think is a good way to heat a 4x2x2 wood cage and get sufficient heat? I just read another post about heat tape burning someones rack so I dont want heat tape and Im not looking for bulbs or expensive panels. These are some choices im looking at BA radiated heat panels, Bean farm ultra thermal pads with these ultra thermals I read that they do not heat enough depending on temps outside of cage. Im also looking at ceramic heat emitters and Kane heat pad maybe someone will list some more that I may have forgot. I will be using a ESU thermostat. This will be for my boas im looking to breed. I noticed on boaphiles site he keeps his boas with no light will I have to do this or will I need the light? The cage is in the basement and I will need to have a hot spot of 90 or so

Well I have several wooden cages that are 4x2x2 and I heat them using lights and heat tape with good results. I would get some 11" wide low wattage heat tape and either use a light or the ceramic heater on the hot side hooked up to a dimmer swith(like I have done) or a thermostat to control the hot side. If you do use a ceramic heat emitter you MUST make sure the snake cannot come in contact with it as these get super hot! I do use these as well on ocassion but I have a guard around the fixture to ensure no contact with the heater or the bulbs. Jeff R. uses heat tape :ie flexwatt with his cages but in a heated room as well. The snakes get ambient light from the room. You can be successful in breeding using either method. I have bred boas in lit cages as well as in unlit with light from just the room from the windows. Hope this helps some.
James C.
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Voices in the darkness... scream away my mental health. Can I.. ask a question.. to help save me from myself? Enemies fill up the pages, are they me?... Monday till Sunday in stages, set me free!!! " Diary of a Madman " Ozzy Osbourne