Winter heating...

[Nikki92]

still a couple months away, but wanted to go ahead and be prepared. We have a separate room we've deemed the critter room for our two tarantulas, and right now it stays a constant 76-82 degrees during the day with no help, about 68-70 at night. My question is keeping it warm during the winter. We have a space heater, but is there anything else more energy efficient so our electric bill doesn't go through the roof? Our winters are typically between 10-32 degrees depending on how bad the winter season gets. I've heard heat mats are good as long as they are place right on the tank, just close.

 

[tewebag]

It all depends on the size of your collection. If it is small enough, you can place them all in a closed cabinet and use a heat pad to heat that cabinet alone.

 

[lostbrane]

What tewebag said. Took too long -.-
Essentially so long as the heat pad isn't directly applied to the terrariums and the necessary heat is getting to them, you'll be solid. Now, with a larger collection, a space heater may just be your best bet.

 

[Nikki92]

It all depends on the size of your collection. If it is small enough, you can place them all in a closed cabinet and use a heat pad to heat that cabinet alone.

We only have two, I can probably find some kind of cabinet for the winter. If not a cabinet, i have a bookcase that needs put back together. If i drape a blanket or something over that could that abd a heat pad work instead of a cabinet?

What tewebag said. Took too long -.-
Essentially so long as the heat pad isn't directly applied to the terrariums and the necessary heat is getting to them, you'll be solid. Now, with a larger collection, a space heater may just be your best bet.

Yeah, just replied to that comment. I would just move the enclosures to our living room (always warm, less of a headache) but we smoke/vape which is why we have a smoke free zone as the critter room for the tarantulas and our two soon to be new additions (python and dart frogs) so not an option there :/ gives me more reason to just smoke/vape outside.

 

[tewebag]

Yeah that will work, anything closed up to trap heat. Just make sure to monitor it for a couple days to avoid overheating.

 

[Nikki92]

Yeah that will work, anything closed up to trap heat. Just make sure to monitor it for a couple days to avoid overheating.

Ok. Still a ways off obviously, won't have to get things together til October/November, but don't want to wait until the last minute. What would you suggest as a "safe" temperature during the winter? I've heard "if you're comfortable, they're comfortable" but what is the lowest it should be? I think I heard it was about 65-70.

 

[tewebag]

What would you suggest as a "safe" temperature during the winter? I've heard "if you're comfortable, they're comfortable" but what is the lowest it should be? I think I heard it was about 65-70.

Basically yes, if you are comfortable they will be. 70-85f is good and what I like but dips +/- a few either direction will not cause any issues.

 

[SonsofArachne]

If you use a space heater watch your humidity. In small room a space heater can make it really dry, enough to cause problems.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

If you use a space heater watch your humidity. In small room a space heater can make it really dry, enough to cause problems.

Boiling some water or drying some clothes there helps

 

[cold blood]

What tewebag said. Took too long -.-
Essentially so long as the heat pad isn't directly applied to the terrariums and the necessary heat is getting to them, you'll be solid. Now, with a larger collection, a space heater may just be your best bet.

The thing is, a pad is designed to be in contact with what its warming....space means nearly all heat will dissipate before getting the job done....an extremely ineffecient way to heat.

If you use a space heater watch your humidity. In small room a space heater can make it really dry, enough to cause problems.

Doesnt cause actual problems at all....you simply need to dampen sub more frequently....the simple addition of water is all thats required.

Op, a space heater is the best method...using the right kind of space heater is pretty important though. Avoid ones with fans...Oil filled space heaters are surprisingly effecient...even in a significantly colder winter climate it will only add $20-30 to the bill per month...and mine runs non stop from november to may.

Space Heater

• cold blood
• Nov 18, 2017
• 5

 

[lostbrane]

Ya know, what I typed last night and what I had in my head were very separate things. You are a absolutely correct! In my head I was thinking the secondary heat method with a larger enclosure but I obviously skipped over that entire portion. That being said I don’t know the costs of running heat pads vs space heaters...and the heater is much simpler but anyways...

 

[SonsofArachne]

Doesnt cause actual problems at all....you simply need to dampen sub more frequently....the simple addition of water is all thats required.

That's actually what I meant, about dampening the sub more. I should have explained it better. Also you can add a humidifier to increase the overall humidity (although that will increase your electric bill even more).

 

[Chris LXXIX]

and mine runs non stop from november to may.

Ah ah, you cold blooded people (Northern U.S, Canada) do not enjoy the complete true kiss of Spring: here at early April everything is 'off', and T's are next to molt, after the Winter 'meal'

Long live the Mediterranean climate

 

[viper69]

Oil filled space heaters are surprisingly effecient...even in a significantly colder winter climate it will only add $20-30 to the bill per month...and mine runs non stop from november to may.

Yours is oil filled? I though it was electric.... Is one any better or SAFER than the other?

 

[cold blood]

Yours is oil filled? I though it was electric.... Is one any better or SAFER than the other?

Oil filled are electric...the oil needs to be heated somehow....lol.

 

[darkness975]

still a couple months away, but wanted to go ahead and be prepared. We have a separate room we've deemed the critter room for our two tarantulas, and right now it stays a constant 76-82 degrees during the day with no help, about 68-70 at night. My question is keeping it warm during the winter. We have a space heater, but is there anything else more energy efficient so our electric bill doesn't go through the roof? Our winters are typically between 10-32 degrees depending on how bad the winter season gets. I've heard heat mats are good as long as they are place right on the tank, just close.

You never told what species and size your Tarantulas are. Sub adults and adults of most species commonly available can tolerate the whole "if you're comfortable they're comfortable" thing. Brachypelma, Grammostola, etc will be okay in the mid 60s, tho they will be less active.

Slings need it warmer, though.

 

[viper69]

Oil filled are electric...the oil needs to be heated somehow....lol.

hahah, I forgot about that hahah. I was thinking the picture you posted was a space heater that was only electric, like a large foot heater....I assumed that would exist too.

I haven't heated a room or home, the last heater I used was a kerosene heater decades ago.

Oil filled are electric...the oil needs to be heated somehow....lol.

What about those tower shaped ceramic space heaters, better or safer than oil filled?

 

[cold blood]

What about those tower shaped ceramic space heaters, better or safer than oil filled?

I think oil filled are both the safest and most economical.

 

[viper69]

I think oil filled are both the safest and most economical.

Interesting, why do you think they are the safest? I would have no basis to make judgement.

 

[cold blood]

Its sealed oil, no heat coils or other hot elements other than what's internal, basically protected by the oil....warms the room, yet its cool enough to touch and the carpet inches below is unaffected. Its more efficient because the oil holds heat for long periods, meaning it doesn't need to have nearly as much heat applied to maintain the heat. And no blowing air which can get excessively hot and dries the air even more (not that this doesn't, just not quite as extreme).