What RHP should i use?

[Ronin]

I'm looking into a Reptile Basic 4Lx2Wx15H single door, at least that's what I think, they say "2x4 15" single door". I was wondering what wattage RHP I should get, Virginia weather is very random and can get very hot and very cold. The 80 seems the way to go but its a bit more pricey considering all the other things I'm getting I.E. thermostat, heat gun, ect. Also some things to consider with the RHP/ need to knows/ benefits& cons. Thanks guys!

[Andy_G]

What is the species (what temps must be provided for the animal...ambient/cool/hot) and what's the ambient room temp?

[Ronin]

Its a red tail hypo, not sure about ambient but a hot spot of 88-84F, cool of 70F. I hear "winter" temps for them are 70Fs. Room temp is 75F but can drop to 60Fs.

[Scubadiver59]

I'm using an 80w Reptile Basic RHP in all my 4'x2'x19" BoaMaster melamine/press-board single drop door enclosures.

At $85 per 80w RHP, it's nothing compared to the other costs associated with each enclosure:
$439 Herpstat-6 controller ($73/enclosure...cost wise)
$140 BoaMaster 4'x2'x19"
$36 24" LED light bar
$10 hide box
$34 substrate (ZooMed Forest Floor/Reptibark mix)
$100-500 snake
--------------------
$478-$978 per enclosure (more for some exotic snakes)

But I digress...the RHP is probably the best, and only way to provide heat, unless your enclosure has a stepped back design that allows rear lights to provide basking, CHE, etc. Mine don't, unless of course, I stagger their spacing, but then the height gets to the point I need a ladder to get at the enclosures, and that's not something I want to have to do. So, I'm stuck with RHPs and my heating stays 80s on the hot side and mid 70's on the cold side. When the temp drops outside, my bedroom gets cold, but then I'll either use my furnace to keep the temps in the low 70s or use a space heater, but with enough cages, it should keep the room somewhat warm.

Maybe some of our more northern brethren can chime in with their methods on keeping their snakes warm during the winter months.

Originally Posted by Ronin

I'm looking into a Reptile Basic 4Lx2Wx15H single door, at least that's what I think, they say "2x4 15" single door". I was wondering what wattage RHP I should get, Virginia weather is very random and can get very hot and very cold. The 80 seems the way to go but its a bit more pricey considering all the other things I'm getting I.E. thermostat, heat gun, ect. Also some things to consider with the RHP/ need to knows/ benefits& cons. Thanks guys!

[Andy_G]

I'd get the 80 watt. The 40 watt wouldn't be sufficient for those temps considering room temps would dip into the 60's.

[Ronin]

Thanks for the info guys! This was very helpful. It looks like my tires are calling for my attention first but lil Nigil will be fine until then. Not quite growing like ive heard and seen some boas do, but then again i dont know how other people feed theirs.