Reptile & Amphibian Forums

okay im building some cages (eventually for breeding), they are 4 feet long, 2 feet high and 2 feet deep. im planning on just using RHP's and im planning to have the hot side around the 90's and the cool side around the 80's. what size RHP do i need to do this? thanks

I have not used the radiant heat panels, but I did look into them when I was setting up my cages. I opted to use an undertank heater pad made by exo terra size 11" X 17", and I just stuck it to the ceiling on the hot side of the melamine cage. I used the silver metal tape to seal the edges all the way around it, and put it on the helix thermostat.

I do not really know if boas need belly heat, maybe they do not if the air temps are always in the 85 F range and basking spots are in the mid 90's.

I choose to offer belly heat but do it in a way that works well for me.

I have a framed in rubbermaid box that sits on the belly heat and the box is filled with cypress mulch. The mulch aslo provides the needed humidity inside the cage. So when the snake wants to bask, it goes over to the cypress box climbs in and gets heat from the top and the bottom. That provides a good heated air condition for the boa and also humidity.

The cool side of cage has a large plastic vent to allow more air flow for cooloing or I can shut the vent to allow heat and humidity build up whan needed.

Andy