UTH vs ceramic heat emitter

[killuminati]

I need a new heat source and im wondering what one to get. I dont know much about the ceramic heat emitter but that it heats the air and the floor. What is better and why?

P.S I would probably get the infared heat emitter

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Either will work fine. It really depends on your particular situation. If you live somewhere fairly warm, a UTH is really all that's needed. But if you're in a cooler climate, the CHE will keep your enclosure a lot warmer. A CHE works particularly well if you use slate (or other tile) as your flooring. The heat from the CHE is absorbed by the slate turning the slate into great belly heat, and they also get the benefit of having the ambient air temps warmed as well. As always, I suggest that ANY heat source be put on a thermostat for safty reasons. But a CHE really needs one.

 

[killuminati]

Either will work fine. It really depends on your particular situation. If you live somewhere fairly warm, a UTH is really all that's needed. But if you're in a cooler climate, the CHE will keep your enclosure a lot warmer. A CHE works particularly well if you use slate (or other tile) as your flooring. The heat from the CHE is absorbed by the slate turning the slate into great belly heat, and they also get the benefit of having the ambient air temps warmed as well. As always, I suggest that ANY heat source be put on a thermostat for safty reasons. But a CHE really needs one.

I live in BC so it gets both hot and cold. I am using slate and could I use a Rheostat instead of a thermostat?

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

I live in BC so it gets both hot and cold. I am using slate and could I use a Rheostat instead of a thermostat?

You CAN use a rheostat. But IMO they don't really help much. A rheostat won't self adjust if the air temp in the room changes. And it won't shut off if the heat source over heats. So, if it suddenly gets ten degrees warmer in the room, the tank is going to get ten degrees warmer too. It's better than nothing though. Personally, I'd at least invest in a cheap thermostat like this though:BAH-1000SC Reptile Thermostat Has Been Redesigned Utilizing an IC Smart Chip For Controlling Cage Temperature

 

[killuminati]

You CAN use a rheostat. But IMO they don't really help much. A rheostat won't self adjust if the air temp in the room changes. And it won't shut off if the heat source over heats. So, if it suddenly gets ten degrees warmer in the room, the tank is going to get ten degrees warmer too. It's better than nothing though. Personally, I'd at least invest in a cheap thermostat like this though:BAH-1000SC Reptile Thermostat Has Been Redesigned Utilizing an IC Smart Chip For Controlling Cage Temperature

I just bought the rheostat but ill try on working on getting a thermostat. Also the person at the petstore that I got my leopard gecko from said not to use lights and try to limit as much lighting in my room as I can because its an albino, so would it still be bad if i got the infared. Ive also heard that they can see red, is that true?

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

A CHE doesn't put off any light at all