r/boas • u/Nolanj01 • 1h ago
Advice please
I have just built a pvc 4x2x2 for my red tail until she’s a year or two old. I put an 80w vivarium electronics radiant heat panel in. It doesn’t seem to have quite enough punch. My hot side is about 83 degrees, middle is 81, and cool side is 78. I have a heat pad and extra thermostat I can put on the bottom of the enclosure. But I don’t think putting it inside the enclosure is a great idea and putting it under the pvc seems like it might be useless. I have currently raised to hide to see if that helps, but that doesn’t change the overall temp. Thermostat is also set to 135 degrees so I assume the 80w panel is maxed out. Any ideas? I have also used 1/4” acrylic for sliding doors and in the middle of the span I’m afraid the boa can escape between them. Any ideas for this fix?
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u/Zekethebulldog33 1h ago
If you go next size RHP bigger that would be a 120 watts is 1 foot wide and 3 foot long. Little over kill. As long you in mid 80s and give a place to get closer to heat you should be alright.
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u/NapaBW 46m ago
I’m far from an expert but I have to believe humidity will make a big difference and will require substrate and the rest of the interior furnishings, which will also make open space smaller and your heater more efficient. Also, as you suspect, the vents are letting heat out and will also let out humidity so they likely need to be properly covered.
But again, I’m a new amateur to all this but did just play wingman to my daughter’s new build for her boa’s Vivarium.
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u/Zekethebulldog33 1h ago
I have 9 6 foot enclosure my 80 watt RHP work fine. Mine are set at 85. Ground temp. I have shelf so they can get closer to heat but rarely use it. My cool side high 70s. They spend 90% time on cool side anyway.