WI Custom Cages - Heat Panel Question

[Russian Tort Tidings]

We purchased the T70 enclosure from Animal Plastics, so 96Lx36Dx24H for our Russian Tortoise and I'd love to mount a heat panel/panels. The wattage is confusing to me. Does anyone know what I should get for this size enclosure.

Thank you so much in advance. WI Custom Cages url included below.

Heat Panels | Wi Custom Cages

Reptile Basics Heat Panels for Reptile Cages

www.wicustomcages.com

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

We purchased the T70 enclosure from Animal Plastics, so 96Lx36Dx24H for our Russian Tortoise and I'd love to mount a heat panel/panels. The wattage is confusing to me. Does anyone know what I should get for this size enclosure.

Thank you so much in advance. WI Custom Cages url included below.

Heat Panels | Wi Custom Cages

Reptile Basics Heat Panels for Reptile Cages

www.wicustomcages.com

Hello!

Wattage depends on desired temperature difference and insulation. I'm able to keep 6x3x2.5' enclosure at 86-88F (20-22F difference above room temperature) using a 120W heater.

Russian tortoises don't need such high temperatures day and night, so 120W should be plenty even for a larger enclosure. If the room is warm, perhaps, 80W will work too. A panel like this can be a nice alternative: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-brooder-and-coop-heater

 

[Markw84]

I use 2 80 watt heat panels in my 96x36x30 enclosures. However, I do make my enclosures double-walled to help hold in heat much better than a single-wall style like the AP enclosures.

The 2 80 watt RHPs do well in a room that is at least 60° as a minimum. If you have your enclosure in a room that get cooler than that, I would recommend adding a CHE to supplement heat in addition to the RHPs in my enclosures.

So - for an AP enclosure you can start with perhaps 2 - 120 watt RHPs and see how that works. If it will not keep the minimum high enough over a cooler night, you can then add a 100-150 watt CHE in a dome.

The panel @Alex and the Redfoot lists above would also be a good choice as it does have a 200watt setting. you just have to be more creative in ways to mount it in a closed chamber. With a thermostat controlling, the higher wattage simply allows it generate more heat to get the whole enclosure to the desired temperature. If the enclosure holds heat well, it will be off a good portion of the time and not cost more to operate. I will just allow the minimum temperature to be reached more easily/quicker.

 

[Russian Tort Tidings]

Hello!

Wattage depends on desired temperature difference and insulation. I'm able to keep 6x3x2.5' enclosure at 86-88F (20-22F difference above room temperature) using a 120W heater.

Russian tortoises don't need such high temperatures day and night, so 120W should be plenty even for a larger enclosure. If the room is warm, perhaps, 80W will work too. A panel like this can be a nice alternative: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-brooder-and-coop-heater

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Russian Tort Tidings]

I use 2 80 watt heat panels in my 96x36x30 enclosures. However, I do make my enclosures double-walled to help hold in heat much better than a single-wall style like the AP enclosures.

The 2 80 watt RHPs do well in a room that is at least 60° as a minimum. If you have your enclosure in a room that get cooler than that, I would recommend adding a CHE to supplement heat in addition to the RHPs in my enclosures.

So - for an AP enclosure you can start with perhaps 2 - 120 watt RHPs and see how that works. If it will not keep the minimum high enough over a cooler night, you can then add a 100-150 watt CHE in a dome.

The panel @Alex and the Redfoot lists above would also be a good choice as it does have a 200watt setting. you just have to be more creative in ways to mount it in a closed chamber. With a thermostat controlling, the higher wattage simply allows it generate more heat to get the whole enclosure to the desired temperature. If the enclosure holds heat well, it will be off a good portion of the time and not cost more to operate. I will just allow the minimum temperature to be reached more easily/quicker.

Thank you so much for your help as well! I really appreciate it.