NIGHT BOX

[samsmom]

In the process of building a bigger night box for my 100+ lb sulcata, Samson! Current box was built according to Tom's plans and new box will be the same just a little bigger but with wider opening! I have a question about the new one! On one side of his current box is a heat mat on the floor and a radiant heat panel mounted to the top, both connected to a thermostat. The only time there has been any issue at all was several years ago when we lost power for several days during snowmageddon! So current box works but I always wonder when I turn up the heat how that affects his plastron? How hot is too hot? In the new box I was thinking about mounting heat mats to the side and back of the box as well as a heat panel above with nothing on the floor? There is room, in both boxes, on the other side of the box for him to move away from the heat source! We live in East Texas and Samson lives outside, 24/7! He has a self dug burrow that we cover the entrance to in the winter! Let me know what you think or if you need any other information! I welcome any and all opinions! TIA, Leta

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hopefully @Tom will see this an answer your queries

 

[Tom]

In the process of building a bigger night box for my 100+ lb sulcata, Samson! Current box was built according to Tom's plans and new box will be the same just a little bigger but with wider opening! I have a question about the new one! On one side of his current box is a heat mat on the floor and a radiant heat panel mounted to the top, both connected to a thermostat. The only time there has been any issue at all was several years ago when we lost power for several days during snowmageddon! So current box works but I always wonder when I turn up the heat how that affects his plastron? How hot is too hot? In the new box I was thinking about mounting heat mats to the side and back of the box as well as a heat panel above with nothing on the floor? There is room, in both boxes, on the other side of the box for him to move away from the heat source! We live in East Texas and Samson lives outside, 24/7! He has a self dug burrow that we cover the entrance to in the winter! Let me know what you think or if you need any other information! I welcome any and all opinions! TIA, Leta

The heat mats don't throw heat well. Best to keep it on the bottom so he can rest on it and warm his core.

Sounds like someone needs a generator for winter storm weather...

 

[samsmom]

The heat mats don't throw heat well. Best to keep it on the bottom so he can rest on it and warm his core.

Sounds like someone needs a generator for winter storm weather...

Thanks for your response! I always trust your advice! We will continue with the mat on the bottom and heat panel above! I have been telling my husband for years we need a generator! He also trusts your advice so maybe he will on this as well! Anytime I suggest something he always says “but what does Tom say about that?”!!

 

[samsmom]

Thanks for your response! I always trust your advice! We will continue with the mat on the bottom and heat panel above! I have been telling my husband for years we need a generator! He also trusts your advice so maybe he will on this as well! Anytime I suggest something he always says “but what does Tom say about that?”!!

Oh and also what is the highest temperature setting for safety of the plastron?

 

[Tom]

Thanks for your response! I always trust your advice! We will continue with the mat on the bottom and heat panel above! I have been telling my husband for years we need a generator! He also trusts your advice so maybe he will on this as well! Anytime I suggest something he always says “but what does Tom say about that?”!!

Sounds like you married a very smart man of the highest caliber. Which makes you a smart woman for choosing such a wise man.

 

[Tom]

Oh and also what is the highest temperature setting for safety of the plastron?

I set the thermostat on the heat mat (if there is one) all the way up. I don't order them with thermostats because I use a separate thermostat to turn it on or off. Don't worry about the surface temperature of the mat. The thermostat's probe should be over on the "cool" side away from the heat sources. I set it to 80 in spring and fall when we have warm sunny days, and I set it to 86 in winter when it's colder outside and they don't have a place to warm up. Depending on your climate and temperatures, you can unplug the box in summer and encourage the tortoise to dig its own burrow where you want it. When daytime highs are 100+, its best for them to be able to get underground where it is cooler.

 

[samsmom]

I set the thermostat on the heat mat (if there is one) all the way up. I don't order them with thermostats because I use a separate thermostat to turn it on or off. Don't worry about the surface temperature of the mat. The thermostat's probe should be over on the "cool" side away from the heat sources. I set it to 80 in spring and fall when we have warm sunny days, and I set it to 86 in winter when it's colder outside and they don't have a place to warm up. Depending on your climate and temperatures, you can unplug the box in summer and encourage the tortoise to dig its own burrow where you want it. When daytime highs are 100+, its best for them to be able to get undergrouning elements plugged into a thermostat!

I set the thermostat on the heat mat (if there is one) all the way up. I don't order them with thermostats because I use a separate thermostat to turn it on or off. Don't worry about the surface temperature of the mat. The thermostat's probe should be over on the "cool" side away from the heat sources. I set it to 80 in spring and fall when we have warm sunny days, and I set it to 86 in winter when it's colder outside and they don't have a place to warm up. Depending on your climate and temperatures, you can unplug the box in summer and encourage the tortoise to dig its own burrow where you want it. When daytime highs are 100+, its best for them to be able to get underground where it is cooler.

I'm ordering a new kane heat mat and radiant heat panel for the new box and they will be plugged into a thermostat. Do I need a rheostat for the kane mat? If so, why? I don't currently have that type of setup, only the mat, panel and thermostat! The night box is outside but but on a covered porch, if that matters!

 

[Tom]

I'm ordering a new kane heat mat and radiant heat panel for the new box and they will be plugged into a thermostat. Do I need a rheostat for the kane mat? If so, why? I don't currently have that type of setup, only the mat, panel and thermostat! The night box is outside but but on a covered porch, if that matters!

You do not ned a rheostat on the Kane mat. Just run it through the regular thermostat and it can be "on" or "off" as needed depending on the temperature at the probe.