[sianchine]

Hi,
I've got a young, 4.5 foot boa constrictor. I am currently heating the tank with a heatmat and 150w infra red bowlb.
I wondered if there is any other kind of heating to increase the background temperatur, which does not use as much electricity. Does anyone have an idea or do u know if one or two solar panells would produce enough energy to heat the tank?
Silvia

 

[GRS]

Reptileone make a range of fan heaters for vivs,you might want to look into these.They are only small,the largest being 50W but multiple use maybe an option.I am looking at playing with a couple myself.Though I have to say I can get them trade price from a friend.

 

[Jczreptiles]

I would ditch the heatmat and bulb and use just a ceramic.

 

[Freeman]

I would ditch the heatmat and bulb and use just a ceramic.

So would I, I have 100W ceramics heating the hot end of 4 x 2 vivs to about 85 - 90 degrees. This is all mine need.

 

[sianchine]

cheers, I'm gonna give it a go. But I read that the cheramic bulb should be at least 40 cm away from the snake. there's a branch in the tank and when she's climbing on it the bulb would only be about 20 cm away from her. Would that be dangerous? Do I need to use it together with a thermostat?

 

[Jczreptiles]

Do u know how strong a ceramic I'd have to use for a 160 x 60 x60 tank?

Is that measurement in cm's? If so I would use a 250watt ceramic.

 

[sianchine]

It is. but then I would use more electricity than with heatmat and infra red bulb.

 

[Jczreptiles]

It is. but then I would use more electricity than with heatmat and infra red bulb.

Not really because of the stat it will be off just as much as it is on as it is more efficient heat.

 

[bothrops]

cheers, I'm gonna give it a go. But I read that the cheramic bulb should be at least 40 cm away from the snake. there's a branch in the tank and when she's climbing on it the bulb would only be about 20 cm away from her. Would that be dangerous? Do I need to use it together with a thermostat?

All ceramics are incredibly dangerous if they are unguarded and unstatted.

You only need the ceramic for heat but it is ESSENTIAL that is is fully gaurded and that it is on a thermostat. The wattage is the maximum output, so once it's reached temp, the stat will keep a trickle of electricity going in and is just enough to maintain the temps. A ceramic with a stat will be many many times cheaper than a mat, light bulb and ceramic (although I'm nervous about the fact that the ceramic might not have been on a stat.....)

Cheers

Andy

 

[sianchine]

Ah, ok. It makes sense when it´s not on permanently. Should I still use the UV-light bulb which I have swiched on in the daytime when I swich to a ceramic? I´ve currently got the infrared bulb in a reflector on top of the tank as the top is a steel grid. Do I need an additional lamp guard and what kind of lamp guard would that be?

 

[haderz]

snakes dont need uv tbh. just get a ceramic bulb, a guard and pulse thermostat and it will be perfect. i use 150W in my 4x2x2 because on winter nights my house drops to same temperature as outside

 

[bothrops]

I assume by 'infrared bulb' you actually mean a red light bulb?

All heat emitting objects produce 'infra-red' (AKA 'heat energy')!

Ceramics produce infrared heat but NO visible light. You do not need a UV light for your snake, but it may appreciate the rays and a low heat emitting strip light will help you see your animal and provide a good day/night cycle.

What do you mean by 'Steel Grid'? is it in a fish tank with a mesh top?

Cheers

Andy

 

[ian kerr]

Hi,
I've got a young, 4.5 foot boa constrictor. I am currently heating the tank with a heatmat and 150w infra red bowlb.
I wondered if there is any other kind of heating to increase the background temperatur, which does not use as much electricity. Does anyone have an idea or do u know if one or two solar panells would produce enough energy to heat the tank?
Silvia

use a ceramic with guard and low wattage light
and worry more about your snake than your wallet

ian

 

[sianchine]

I assume by 'infrared bulb' you actually mean a red light bulb?

All heat emitting objects produce 'infra-red' (AKA 'heat energy')!

Ceramics produce infrared heat but NO visible light. You do not need a UV light for your snake, but it may appreciate the rays and a low heat emitting strip light will help you see your animal and provide a good day/night cycle.

What do you mean by 'Steel Grid'? is it in a fish tank with a mesh top?

Cheers

Andy

Yes, I intend on keeping the UV light. It's not a fish tank but it's got a mesh top. Can I just put the ceramic bulb on top of it or do I need some kind of extra heat guard so that she can't burn herself on the mesh top if it gets hot?

cheers Silvia

 

[bothrops]

Is is a glass tank with a mesh top? Solid sides? doors in the front?

Pic would help - advice is easier when we know exactly what we're dealing with!
Cheers

Andy

 

[Grond]

Is is a glass tank with a mesh top? Solid sides? doors in the front?

Pic would help - advice is easier when we know exactly what we're dealing with!

I agree a pic would help, you are going to struggle to maintain any background temp which is much above the room temp with a solid mesh top, regardless of heating method. : victory: