Best radiator/heat source for night box?
- Thread starter KatJ
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My tortoise partner, Will, built me a really nice night box and he used the radiant heat panels for heat. I dial it up to the temp I want and, by golly, it's right on the money. Last night it was 50F here overnight and I had the temperature set at 75F. When I opened the box this a.m. to let them out my cheapy thermometer showed 75F!
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I learned this idea from Yvonne, about putting the panels on the side, not the bottom or top. It works well, I consistently use more than one panel, it distributes the heat well, and the tortoise(s) can hunker right up on it. They do not get so hot that you can't put your hand fully on them, and they are water tight. The small 'radiators' take up floor space and can burn you if you touch them, they are not water tight, and the heat is focused on one part of the hide. That said if you use them already I'd stick with them, as most come with a thermostats built in, and that is a handy feature. The panels need a thermostat.
I've built two of these like this now, I am a bit of a klutz, so the no-burn surface for me is very valuable. That's why I don't like those damn CHEs, no pilot light and no change of color when they heat.
For small enclosures I come to make heat panels by gluing two 12 x 24 ceramic tiles together with a gap between them large enough to slip a nursery seed mat in. They work great, but again you need a thermostat.
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I get these http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels. Another brands is from the Bean Farm. Both places offer great customer service, but for some reason I go with Reptile Basics. When these guys come to a show, you are likely to get your entry fee back as they charge less at shows than their online price. With smart phones you can check that in real time.
@Will The RHPs from Reptile Basics are NOT water tight. I speak from experience here. Very painful experience…
Water lightly sprayed on the surface doesn't seem to be an issue, but water tight, they are not.
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Well, I do unplug them and wait to turn them on again when I hose out the Manouria night box. Not had a problem and they get soaked in the process. The seal is some sort of black silicone glue looking stuff, maybe it pulls away and allows leakage. The Manouria really are like pigs, they enjoy a sloppy house. Good to know.
So how do those radiators fare when hosed off?
I've never hosed inside any of my boxes. I just wipe or blow the dust off with air.
Look at my third link above. That could save you a lot of time, effort and money…
Yvonne, Will and I are all using the Radiant Heat Panels from http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels
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What wattage are you all using and what thermostat do you prefer?
I have the 21x12" and the 12x12" panels and I use them for different applications.
I use the 18x28" Kane heat mats.
In my larger boxes I use the mini oil-filled radiant heaters on low.
I use these thermostats to control all of the above:
https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/MTPRTC
https://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
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Thank you! That should get me good to go.
