Jeff,

For proper thermal gradient you should heat only one end of the cage.

If you choose to heat with both the belly heat and an overhead lamp, I would install the helix to control only the belly heat. I would also only run the overhead heat during the daytime hours on a timer, and a very low wattage bulb, 25-40 watts max. If your room is excessively cool you might be able to use a higher wattage light.

If I had this setup and my room temp was warm enough I would opt for only the belly heat and cover the screened cut out. My ap cages are over ventilated with no screen cutouts, I tape most of the ventilation slots off with black duct tape.

Lastly, you will just have to experiment with the heat and see what happens. I do not use helix, so I do not know what temp to set the stat to. I would start with it at around 90, and go up or down. If you do not have a infrared thermometer, then get one, they are cheap, and one of the most important tools you will need.

I have some 6ft ap cages that are tall, I use both belly heat and radiant heat panels in them. The heat is all on the end of the cage. Both of which are on seperate thermostatic control. It took me about a month to get the temps dialed in. If you have the ability, just set the cage up with no animals in it and fool around with the temp until you understand how it will work.

Hope this helps
Chris
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