Anyone run both heat tape and radiant heat panels in the same enclosure?

I have been contemplating running both heat tape and radiant heat panels in my adult boa enclosures. I was considering doing this so when time comes to cool them a bit I can easily shut off one or the other heat source, which would drop temp some in the enclosure, but still provide a suitable hot spot. Any input on this?

I'm not a boa person, but is this going to give the boas adequate space to escape the heat, a "cool spot"... meaning is it too much surface/floor space dedicated to "heat"?

I have but only in two of my arboreal enclosures that aren't in the snake room, so they're in a cool part of the house. Both happen to be housing retics at the moment. The RHP is just bumping up the ambient by a few degrees, the belly heat is providing the basking spot. During the summer the RHP isn't needed.

Originally Posted by Robert Walker

I'm not a boa person, but is this going to give the boas adequate space to escape the heat, a "cool spot"... meaning is it too much surface/floor space dedicated to "heat"?

That is a good question. If I do try it, I'd use an undersized rhp, over half of the enclosure would be unheated directly, along with a shelf/level up off the floor.

I have but only in two of my arboreal enclosures that aren't in the snake room, so they're in a cool part of the house. Both happen to be housing retics at the moment. The RHP is just bumping up the ambient by a few degrees, the belly heat is providing the basking spot. During the summer the RHP isn't needed.

What sort of ambient bump is the rhp providing? Also what temp is the room the enclosures are in?

Originally Posted by Randall Turner

What sort of ambient bump is the rhp providing? Also what temp is the room the enclosures are in?

Room is 70*F (snake room is 78*F) and because the enclosures are 24" high the RHP doesn't do much to create a basking spot on the floor. The inside of the enclosure runs 75-76*F on the cool side.

The juvie retics do like to perch halfway between the RHP and the floor, directly under the RHP, most of the time. I think they like to watch what's going on in the room. I've temped them directly with a heat gun and they're 84-85*F. They use the hide on the belly heat for a few days after eating.