I Built it, but how do I heat it?

[Guest]

So I built this 84"long x 36"deep x 30" tall wooden cage for my tegu. I just dont know how to heat something this size. I have a 100w ceramic heater in my other cages, but its sits on screen over top of the cage. I dont like this way of heating. I think its dangeriouse and not an efficient way of heating the cage. I want to have a heat source inside the cage that will keep the average temp of the cage around 85 deg F, with a basking spot of 110 deg F. I was thinking about a heat panel, has anyone used one of these before? I was thinking of buying a Medium sized "Helix Radiant Heat Panel". This panel is 11" x 30". If I choose to use this, would I need one or two of these in my cage?
Now as for the basking spot. Does the basking spot need to be as hot at night as it is during the day? I was planning on using a basking bulb that would turn on during the daylight hours. But at night how would the basking spot stay hot, with the bulb turned off? I dont really want to use a ceramic heater. Can anyone help me?

Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your time and info

 

[Mr Critter]

You should be able to heat it with the lights,i have three lights in my enclosures,1 basking 2 regular. & it keeps it plenty warm in there,you can adjust the temps with the watts.

 

[slideaboot]

I know that lots of boa and python breeders like RHPs (radiant heat panels), but haven't heard from any tegu keepers.

 

[Guest]

You should be able to heat it with the lights,i have three lights in my enclosures,1 basking 2 regular. & it keeps it plenty warm in there,you can adjust the temps with the watts.

So if you use lights to warm the cage, how does the cage stay the right temp during the night time? What type of lights do you use?

Does anyone know how to keep a basting spot during the night time, "besides the ceramic heaters"? Or do I even need one at night?

 

[Guest]

My tank stays heated through the night, it stays at about 77 on the warm side which is where my gu usually burrows. I just use one bulb but its 150w, it heats up the entire tank (wooden with glass doors). The regular light bulb trick is a great idea, I did that for my bearded dragon in the winter to keep the cool side above 70. I think I read somewhere that tegus can survive in temps that drop to mid 60's at night but that shouldn't be a regular thing. Generally they need 75ish.

 

[Guest]

Also, what about just drilling a hole in the side that can allow you to install a fixture in the roof of the tank? Thats what I have, its a flood light fixture so I can aim the bulb wherever. They're not hard to install, I know nothing about that sort of stuff and it only took me like 20 min.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for all the info. I went and for 2 flood light fixtured from Home Depot. They were only like $7.50 a per fixture. Now I just need to get my plexi glass or lexan for my sliding doors and apply the epoxy and polyeurethane. I cant wait to get this thing done. I am so excited :woot
Thank you all again for the advice.