

How do you keep your invert rooms warm?

Discussion in 'Vivariums and Terrariums' started by Exoskelos, Oct 11, 2018.

  1. Exoskelos

    Exoskelos Arachnosquire

    I'm busy putting up thin foil insulation this week before it gets really cold, converting an unused room into a bug room. It's about a 7x7' room, maybe a bit larger. I'm aiming for a 74-78°F constant temperature, would an infrared heater work, or perhaps a simple heat lamp? I'm a bit unsure that a heat lamp could keep an entire room warm. What do you use for heating? I don't use heat mats, I keep mostly millipedes and heat mats are a big no-no for plastic containers anyway.
  2. cold blood

    cold blood Moderator Staff Member

    Lamps are actually far worse than mats are.

    I use an oil filled space heater...works fantastic.
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  3. Exoskelos

    Exoskelos Arachnosquire

    I was thinking about hanging a lamp in the room to keep it warm overall, not placing the lamp directly on the enclosures. The majority of my Orthoporus sp. died because I was stupid and put them under a lamp.
  4. Polenth

    Polenth Arachnosquire Active Member

    I also use an oil-filled heater. In past years, I've regulated the temperature manually, but I have a thermostat-controlled plug socket this year. Keeping it warm isn't actually the problem. Keeping it cool is much harder (and it'd be much more expensive to solve, as I'd need a portable air conditioner).
  5. Thekla

    Thekla Arachnoangel Active Member

    I switch on the heating. ;)
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  6. buzz182

    buzz182 Arachnosquire

    Kept in a glass display cabinet that is warmed with 2 heat mats on the back of cabinet (not directly attached to any enclosure) when temprature drops below 21°c(70F)
    I am generally more comfortable in a room that is cooler than my T's would like but if you can keep the area that you keep your T's in at a normal room temprature it is a much better solution than mine.
  7. InvertAddiction

    InvertAddiction Arachnoknight

    I have mine in my living room, so during winter I keep my heat set to the 70's, I live in an upstairs apartment so it stays on the warmer side thanks to my neighbor below me running his heat and haven't had any issues.
  8. antinous

    antinous Pamphopharaoh Arachnosupporter

    Since all my collection are either slings or small juvies, I made a 'incubator' from a styrofoam cooler and UTH taped to the side of it and plugged into a thermostat.
  9. viper69

    viper69 ArachnoGod Old Timer


    People do this for tortoises, but those lamps are large and hot, ie fire hazards in a home for sure.

    I'd go with @cold blood's recommendation.
  10. Exoskelos

    Exoskelos Arachnosquire

    I finished the insulation an hour ago, and settled on a small ceramic desk heater, the room I have them in is basically a large closet. An oil radiator would be too hot for such a small room, plus I needed something that wouldn't take up much floor space. I have a lamp in there, but its LED and only on when I'm in the room for light. Temps are spot on 75°F and I think it looks good.

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  11. Timj

    Timj Arachnopeon

    All my enclosures are stacked up near my x-box wich was an accidental heat source but an effective one :)
  12. Minty

    Minty @londontarantulas Arachnosupporter

    The heating in my house is adequate.
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  13. Potatatas

    Potatatas Arachnoknight