Heat panel vs Heat bulb.

[Herplings]

So, I wanted to hear every ones pros and cons with this topic.

Once I upgrade to a larger cage I was thinking about going with a heat-panel. I have not been able to find any cons, except that if it breaks, you are going to have to reorder a new one at 125$ (More, or Less) and then wait 3 days to get it. Not fun when your animal is out heat.

The pros I was thinking would be, no light, fully adjustable, some of the newer ones have a diggy thermo built in. They cost a little bit more, but once your at 150 dollars whats 50 more bucks right?
They have a long life span, easy to mount, are pretty thin and don't hang to low.

But, I was wondering what you guys thought about that and if anyone has any real, long-term experience with them and what they have found in that process.

Thanks in advance.

Snakelings.

 

[Meg90]

Doesn't he need the light? He's a tegu---

He's diurnal, he needs light and UVB to stay healthy. Without a proper light cycle, I can't imagine that he would stay active. I don't think "no light" is a pro--he's not a snake that would spend most of the day in hiding, or in a burrow in the wild.

I can't imagine you needing it at night either--you keep saying your room in temperature controlled?

I don't understand why you want to switch to this?

 

[Herplings]

Doesn't he need the light? He's a tegu---

He's diurnal, he needs light and UVB to stay healthy. Without a proper light cycle, I can't imagine that he would stay active. I don't think "no light" is a pro--he's not a snake that would spend most of the day in hiding, or in a burrow in the wild.

I can't imagine you needing it at night either--you keep saying your room in temperature controlled?

I don't understand why you want to switch to this?

Sometimes I think you respond to my posts because you like to hear the keys on your key-board make that little "clicky" sound. Haha. :doh
Joking.

He would still have UV lights in his cages on a 8/16, or 12/12 cycle. Also if you have noticed in my videos, there are lights on in the room. These lights are UV lights and are hardwired into my house via my breaker-box and can be set on a 8/16, or 12/12 cycle.
Nothing I have lives in the dark.

The bulbs I am talking about are the ones that would be used for heat.

So, my question is. Bulbs, or heat panel.

Snakelings.

 

[Meg90]

Oh, ok. So you'd have his UVB tube light on for the normal cycle, but a heat panel instead of a basking bulb?

I would still go with a bulb. There has been some discussion of halogen flood lights being used for basking, because they are cheaper and do the same thing as the "reptile" bulbs.

I would stick to that, just because I think he would appreciate being able to bask in a bright spot. Those tubes are pretty dim for the most part.

I respond to every new post that I have input on, not just yours. Don't feel too special. I like forums. I like talking on forums. Its why I join them.

 

[Herplings]

Oh, ok. So you'd have his UVB tube light on for the normal cycle, but a heat panel instead of a basking bulb?

I would still go with a bulb. There has been some discussion of halogen flood lights being used for basking, because they are cheaper and do the same thing as the "reptile" bulbs.

I would stick to that, just because I think he would appreciate being able to bask in a bright spot. Those tubes are pretty dim for the most part.

I respond to every new post that I have input on, not just yours. Don't feel too special. I like forums. I like talking on forums. Its why I join them.

Understood. That is why I asked for opinions. I can see where you are coming from with the bright spot.

I don't feel special. I was only picking on you a bit.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Meg90]

No problem. I'm a night owl--it seems like these forums go pretty quiet after dark. I refresh constantly looking for new posts!

 

[Herplings]

No problem. I'm a night owl--it seems like these forums go pretty quiet after dark. I refresh constantly looking for new posts!

Hahaha.
Ditto.

I normally have like 5 or 6 places opened and I just spam them all like the retard I am.
That or lurk YouTube. :crazy

 

[Meg90]

I do the youtube thing as well. Some of the things piss me off there though. I flag lots of posts.

Someone threw his anole in his gu's cage after it escaped and "bit" him. I mean really, it was an anole. And for that, he just killed it. I understand that tegus eat other lizards in the wild---that wasn't what bothered me. What stuck with me was, as soon as his animal behaved in a way that he didn't like-- he killed it. What's he gonna do to his tegu when it nails him? Its a natural behavior, and only a matter of time. All the times I've been bitten, its been my fault. I never blame the animal.

So yeah. Love hate relationship with youtube for sure.

 

[Bentley83]

off topic but how old r u meg? im sorry

chris

 

[Meg90]

I'll be 20 in January. Any reason for the question?

 

[Bentley83]

no just wondering.


Chris

 

[herper9]

I understand the need for a bright spot in the cage, but my tubes seem to let off a lot of light, both for my snakes and my beardie. I have heat panels for my snakes and I am super happy with them. It really helps with the ambient temperature in the tank, but also creates a nice spot for my snakes to bask, which they do. I'd imagine you could use heat panels for a gu, just get him nice and close to the panel. Obviously not too close, so he doesn't burn himself. (I know someone would have gotten me for that) Anyhoo. I like them, really the only reason I don't use floodlights is that my cages are stacked, and I couldn't put lights in there without possibly burning my burms. Sorry for the long reply.

 

[Herplings]

I understand the need for a bright spot in the cage, but my tubes seem to let off a lot of light, both for my snakes and my beardie. I have heat panels for my snakes and I am super happy with them. It really helps with the ambient temperature in the tank, but also creates a nice spot for my snakes to bask, which they do. I'd imagine you could use heat panels for a gu, just get him nice and close to the panel. Obviously not too close, so he doesn't burn himself. (I know someone would have gotten me for that) Anyhoo. I like them, really the only reason I don't use floodlights is that my cages are stacked, and I couldn't put lights in there without possibly burning my burms. Sorry for the long reply.

Do you think the heat panel would be able to push the high numbers for a direct basking spot, like a bulb could?

I didn't think your post was to long.

Thanks for the replay.

 

[herper9]

I have a basking spot of 99 degrees with my heat panels. That's two feet away! So if there was something to get them closer, sure it would work! Plus if you put your lamps right next to the panel they would get all that good UVB.