Time to add a CHE?

[StickyFingers]

Hi all. I was a bit curious as to what the temps in my leo's enclosure were, so I checked them tonight, and was a bit horrified at the results. On the warm side, I got 87*-90* over his UTH, which isn't bad (could be a tad warmer I suppose) and in the middle and on the cool side, I got 61*. Temps were fine in the fall and summer, so my question is this: Would it be wise to get a CHE and use that in addition to the UTH, at least until winter is over? It gets a bit chilly in my room, and I know that those temps (at least the 61* areas) are not appropriate for him to thrive in. Thoughts?

 

[ToffeeNut]

I use a CHE during winter because it can easily drop down to 65 degrees on the cool side. I have it positioned so it's in the middle and it's left on 24/7 with my UTH. Of course when it gets warmer I'm going to turn it off because in the summer it gets to 80 degrees in my house. x_x
I think it should be fine, my gecko likes to walk around more because of it. :3

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi all. I was a bit curious as to what the temps in my leo's enclosure were, so I checked them tonight, and was a bit horrified at the results. On the warm side, I got 87*-90* over his UTH, which isn't bad (could be a tad warmer I suppose) and in the middle and on the cool side, I got 61*. Temps were fine in the fall and summer, so my question is this: Would it be wise to get a CHE and use that in addition to the UTH, at least until winter is over? It gets a bit chilly in my room, and I know that those temps (at least the 61* areas) are not appropriate for him to thrive in. Thoughts?

As you've noted all the UTH creates is a warm "spot" ONLY as large your UTH is.

Time for a CHE just like ToffeeNut suggests.

Thanks to the suggestion of [MENTION=48513]hmarie186[/MENTION] I recommend larger heats mats now. For instance, an 11 x 17 inch UTH for a 30 x 12 x 12 inch enclosure.

I like 10 inch diameter domes rather than smaller diameter domes. I feel the larger size does a better job containing and redirecting the CHE heat back into the enclosure.

 

[hmarie186]

This was exactly my situation. A 100 watt on a thermostat should do just fine for those cool floor temps. Buy the 10" dome so the heat from the bulb can spread out and doesn't get too hot.

 

[StickyFingers]

Thank you so much for your replies, everyone! Would it be ok to get a 60 watt CHE and the 10" dome? I worry that the 100 watt CHE will get too hot. I have a 20g long tank, for what it's worth

 

[hmarie186]

Thank you so much for your replies, everyone! Would it be ok to get a 60 watt CHE and the 10" dome? I worry that the 100 watt CHE will get too hot. I have a 20g long tank, for what it's worth

I have a 60 watt that heats a 5" tall shelf I have along the backside of the cage to about 96F. It does not reach the ground to affect temps so if you need it to warm up your cool side I would highly suggest getting a 100 watt WITH a thermostat. It will keep it from getting too warm. What you can do is get a 60 watt and try it out. I was told at Petco that if the wattage isn't high enough you can return it and get the next size up. That way you can experiment what is right for your tank. Edgar will lay under the heater if he gets a little chilly but never stays under it for long periods of time. It warms the shelf which has a built in hide under it for his belly and he also gets the infrared heat from above.

 

[StickyFingers]

Thanks so much for all your help!! I ordered a 60 watt CHE with a 8.5 inch dome and a thermostat. Hopefully it gets his tank nice and toasty!! If not, I will return the stuff and get a 100 watt CHE and 10 inch dome!!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks so much for all your help!! I ordered a 60 watt CHE with a 8.5 inch dome and a thermostat. Hopefully it gets his tank nice and toasty!! If not, I will return the stuff and get a 100 watt CHE and 10 inch dome!!

Even if you keep the 60 watt, a 10 inch dome works best.

 

[Gracegarden]

What is a CHE?

 

[StickyFingers]

CHE=Ceramic Heat Emitter

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

What is a CHE?

Welcome aboard!

A CHE is a ceramic heat emitter. It is a screw-in bulb that emits only heat. Great for geckos like leopard geckos who are crepuscular (active at dusk and at dawn).

 

[kholtme]

I noticed when i was setting up my tank that on the edge of the uth the temps dropped off almost instantly. I got a 10 inch dome with a 100 watt che (my tank is 18 inches tall) and it really helped make the tiles temp at the edge of the uth slowly drop instead of instantly. Also on the cool end, my temps are right where they should be. Before the tile always felt cold to the touch. Now they feel comfortable and my temps all around are right where they should be. My che is almost all they way to the warm side. It is very important to have one for colder areas.