Episode 125 Reptile basics heat panel

Short review on install and impressions of the vivarium electronics radiant heat panel

[@XxKuSHxM4ST3RxX]

Did you put anything on the end of your probe for your thermostat? Or is it pretty much ready to go right out of the box? And I know this video is old, how is it holding up? How long did it last??

[@VetiExotics]

The probe is good out of the box, VE has rubber over it and spyder robotics is metal. I dont have this set up anymore so for longevity i cant comment on but it should last a long time from what ive seen. Just have to figure out how far to dangle the cord down depending on species

[@CozyCoyote]

I have one of these, Need advice- My temp gun is clocking the 40 watt panel on it's surface at 103 but the ground below it, isn't warm. I need it 90*f Is it okay to keep pushing it? I have it set to 83*f, I need it to be a 90*f hotspot. Kinda scared to over heat it. I just switched from a heat matt. Soo???

[@VetiExotics]

103 surface temp on the panel isnt much at all. The animal wont burn itselt if it touches it. Turn your thermostat up until you reach 90 for your hotspot. How high is the cage its mounted in? and where is your probe located?

[@CozyCoyote]

@@VetiExotics The cage is 12" and the probe is about 2" below the panel. How high can the surface of the panel go before it becomes a burn hazard?

[@VetiExotics]

@@CozyCoyote ok, you shouldn’t have much problem bringing the temp higher then. First thing I would do is just have the prob hang much lower, maybe 6 inches above the floor . If I remember correctly 140 plus surface temp on the rhp.

[@rundan8620]

There’s a 40W and 80W model. Which version do you recommend for snakes? Also, does this have to be mounted vertically or can I place it on the bottom and cover it with substrate for belly heat?

[@VetiExotics]

The wattage you need will depend on the size of the cage and its location.. I believe it needs to be mounted vertically. The surface gets to hot to have an animal laying on it. temps of 145 -160 plus. I used a 40 watt in a 4x2 cage thats in a room heated to the uppers 70s. If you put to large of a rhp in cage the animal wont be able to get away from the heat.

[@rundan8620]

The Boa Lair I have a cage that’s 4x2x2 and trying to heat a green anaconda about 9 months old. I don’t like the heat Matt I’m currently using

[@MG3Angling]

@@rundan8620 if its 4x2x2 you might wanna go with 80 watt.

[@VetiExotics]

@@MG3Angling i would agree, the height of the cage would be the issue. I dont see a need for cages to be higher than 18 inches.

[@Emma-wi8ri]

@@VetiExotics there is very much a need for enclosures taller then 18 inches 😅 especially for certain species 24 inches tall and up is good for

[@ibrahimanderson1172]

I have a 24" x 22" x 14" vision cage that I'm looking to move my Brazilian Rainbow Boa into, would a 40 watt provide sufficient heat for a comfortable warm side without trickling over to the cold side? How fast would it zap away the humidity in your opinion, and what is the max temperature I can expect from these panels? Thank you.

[@VetiExotics]

Hi, the 40 watt would certainly provide enough heat. They actually do a good job of keeping the humidity in but you still need to mist, depending on where you live , in winter you may need to mist more. max temp on the panel is around 160. Depending on where you place the probe is going to dictate how much the rhp is running to maintain that temp.. Rainbows like it a little cooler than other boas. I would probably shoot for 85ish for the hot spot..

[@dm1660]

Hello, great video. What would you recommend for me? I have a 8Lx3Wx2H for my reticulated python. I keep my house in the 72-74 range. Should I go 120watt or 80watt? Thanks.

[@VetiExotics]

Thank you. Well retics like it a little cooler. I noticed once it got up over 85 degrees they got restless. However, 8x3x2 is a large cage. I think i would go with the 120 watt and shoot for 88 on the floor beneath the panel. I would expect your retic to not spend alot of time under it lol

[@DawnEntirely]

What size heat panel would you need for a pvc enclosure that's roughly 4x2x2 ? I'm thinking 120, but worried that's too big (cold ambient room temp in the winter).

[@VetiExotics]

DawnEntirely If you use a 40 or 80 watt you can create an elevated basking spot. What kind of animal is in there?

[@DawnEntirely]

@@VetiExotics Oh duh, sorry forgot to mention that - ball python.

[@VetiExotics]

DawnEntirely tbh you may do better with a cage thats shorter! Bp’s like it tight and it will be easier to heat. However, if you use your current cage i think using the 80 watt will be better. How large is your bp?

[@DawnEntirely]

@@VetiExotics He's 7 years old so I graduated him to the only larger enclosure I had... but I agree. I wish it were lower because there is so much open space above him (He has two hides, lots of greenery to hide even more and cocoa husk substrate. I'd like to change to something less tall, but for now, would you still recommend the 40 or 80?

[@VetiExotics]

DawnEntirely I would recommend the 80 watt. Good luck. Let me know.

[@MG3Angling]

what do you have your thermostat set at to get a 90 hot spot with the probe that close. thanks

[@VetiExotics]

91 its set to. The cages are only 12 inches tall, so you dont loose much heat to the floor at all. Plus my room is heated as well. In the summer it can be 85 on cool end.

[@MG3Angling]

The Boa Lair yeah i just switches from 80w in my 4x2x12” cages i thought they were too big but even these 40w panels now get my cages heat up to 85 on the cool end hahah!

[@VetiExotics]

@@MG3Angling nice man!

[@supermotovtec8550]

I live in Ireland so the weather is usually cold and I often have to put the heating on in my house to keep my temps up, anyway what wattage would you recommend for a 6x2x2 the animals are boa constrictors so the hotspot should be 31-32c ?

[@Michael-wr9kf]

I would think the 120watt. Thats a big cage, especially height wise.. 90-92 degree hot spot would be good if your able to keep ambient around 80.. Are you keeping more than one boa in this cage?

[@supermotovtec8550]

@@Michael-wr9kf ill probably go with the 125w from retics & reptiles, no just 1 boa per enclosure, I have 2x bcc's and a bci so will be buying 3 of the heat panels, I want to make sure they will be able to meet the temperature requirements considering ill be buying 1 for each 6x2x2 vivarium

[@VetiExotics]

Alright, ya I think that’s your best bet bud! The 80 watt might be fine to, like i said the ambient temp has alot to do with it. Best of luck!

[@justinduttonduttonreptiles6146]

Do you still recommend this panel? I have 3 - 36x18x12 pvc enclosures coming and need a panel

[@VetiExotics]

I do, I think its done a great job... I wouldnt worry about all the gossip..

[@justinduttonduttonreptiles6146]

@@VetiExotics Awesome, and yea there is so much info out there both ways , people tell me anything but pro products will catch my house on fire lol

[@VetiExotics]

@@justinduttonduttonreptiles6146 Ya, dont listen to that lol

[@mataroz8032]

Hey man i noticed you said it doesnt really let iut a lot of heat on the top of the inclosure, would it be ok to screw into timber as my enclosure is timber but i was worried the heat panel might burn it, thanks

[@VetiExotics]

I believe wood doesnt combust until several hundred degrees, like appraoching 1000. So i would think you would be fine. That is a question you can directly ask rich at reptile basics for confirmation.

[@ghostryderz1000]

Hey bud how’s your radiant heat panels working???

[@VetiExotics]

I cant say. I have since sold that set up. But it worked great until the day I sold the cage.

[@ghostryderz1000]

@@VetiExotics Do you think a 28watt radiant heat panel will fit into a 18X18x12 PVC enclosure?

[@VetiExotics]

@@ghostryderz1000 I believe so, I cant remember the dimensions off hand but its a small panel

[@x60mmx]

I have had a number of these fail on me, and many warp over time. I only use the Pro Products now for this reason.

[@VetiExotics]

Thank you for your experience, sorry to hear that!

[@Gilly-bv3cd]

I bought my first tile last week and I just installed it Do I need to cover the tile with something I’m scared my snake will burn if he touches it

[@VetiExotics]

Tile? the RHP wont burn your snake. Them bumping into it and such will be fine. No need to cover it with anything

[@dee151]

What brand pvc cage is this? Got a link

[@VetiExotics]

Reptilebasics.com its the 4x2 double door cage

[@jamieeels4188]

My basking spot is 80 for my dumerils boa which I want but when I use an infrared temperature gun on my heat panel it is 145 0c, is this safe?

[@VetiExotics]

yes the actual surface temp on the face of the panel can get up to 160 I believe. Its not hot enough to burn you, the snake can easily contact that for a couple seconds and be fine.

[@reedwetzel1324]

Is 40 watt still good, I was aiming towards 80 watt for that size enclosure

[@VetiExotics]

Yes 40 watt is perfect, but my room stays 76 and up. The 80 watt would take up to much of the cage I believe as well.

[@RivetingReptiles]

they say that if your room is kept at 75 of above the 40 watt is plenty. If the room temperature is lower than 75 go with the 80. I've got a 4 foot enclosure with a 80 watt panel and I still get a perfect heat gradiant. the panel itself is about 22 inches so it takes up just shy of half of the tank. the room where my snake is, is usually arround 68 degrees so the 80 watt works fine. as long as the snake has a ''cool end'' large enough for his whole body to cool off, thats what counts.

[@VetiExotics]

@@RivetingReptiles Right. Great panels aren't they?

[@c4tomato528]

Patrick Laplante do you have a number I can contact you on because I’m having problems with that radiant heat panel getting hot enough for the hot side and I need your help

[@mrcooper25lc]

I just installed mine yesterday but can’t get the temp to go above 80

[@VetiExotics]

Have you tried moving the probe? how long are you waiting when your checking temps?

[@crazyweirdperson]

Think this would melt a sterilite tub?

[@VetiExotics]

Not sure how you would mount it..

[@crazyweirdperson]

@@VetiExotics don't think it would screw? That I can modify it lol

[@VetiExotics]

@@crazyweirdperson well how tall is the tub?

[@crazyweirdperson]

@@VetiExotics 18 inches

[@VetiExotics]

@@crazyweirdperson I think it would be fine then height wise, just watch it for a couple weeks.. The surface temps gett hot. I dont think the plastic will melt at that temp but they are more flimsy than a pvc cage.. The panels are light, assuming your getting a 40 watt? What are the overall dimensions of the tub?

[@thorswelt9988]

Hadspaaadd.. :-)

[@mindsetsounds2958]

man mine didnt even last a month

[@VetiExotics]

That sucks man, sorry to hear that.

[@mindsetsounds2958]

Vetica Boas It did and i was in a pinch so i couldn’t call and wait with a special order from pro products plus I’d rather black because it blends with the cage so I got another and so far so good. I set my temp on my thermostat slightly lower to try and get a little more life out of this one. I took the old one apart and the friggin solder melted off of the hot lead, not making a connection. I was thinking on re soldering the lead but didn’t want to risk it cause i had to break the airtight seal that hold the body together. I have spare parts and a $90 paperweight. I threw the box away when I got the old one forgeting about the “lifetime warranty” on the box and im sure its voided now that i pried that thing open. I wonder how good they are about that warranty🤔

[@VetiExotics]

@@mindsetsounds2958 I don't have personal experience with a warranty claim with them but I would assume they would be good. Good to know you figured out the problem. What wattage did you have? im guessing the 160 since you said 90 bucks

[@mindsetsounds2958]

Vetica Boas My fault it was $70 on amazon for the 40 watt I had.

[@VetiExotics]

@@mindsetsounds2958 He sells on amazon?

[@funnypranksgonewrong]

Poor Snake in such a bare viv. Sad to see

[@VetiExotics]

LOL RIGHT