Ceramic Heat Emitters

[sachmn]

Is it advisable to use these at night if the temps drop too low? I'm concerned that too high a wattage will put out too much heat but perhaps a 60watt would put out just enough to keep the temps in the lower 70's.
My other question is about good ways to keep humidity up. I have a substrate mix of coconut coir and 100% Cypress Mulch. Both the hides have wet sponges in them.

 

[Tom]

Is it advisable to use these at night if the temps drop too low? I'm concerned that too high a wattage will put out too much heat but perhaps a 60watt would put out just enough to keep the temps in the lower 70's.
My other question is about good ways to keep humidity up. I have a substrate mix of coconut coir and 100% Cypress Mulch. Both the hides have wet sponges in them.

These are great for night time heat. Put a temp probe in there on both the warm side, under the CHE, and the cool side, away from the CHE. Remember to have a gradient, so your tort can regulate his own temp by moving back and forth. You'll also need hide spots on both sides so your tort doesn't have to choose security over warmth or vice-versa. Your tortoise will tell you if its warm enough. If you always see him over on the warm side, right under the heat, you'll need to lower your fixture or raise the wattage. Always check with a temperature gauge of some sort to avoid burns. If he's always on the cool side, raise it up or lower the wattage.

I've never used sponges. I like to make hide boxes out of plastic shoe boxes. Get the appropriate size, cut a hole big enough for your tortoise in one side, drill a few small holes for ventilation and, voila! The substrate you are using should hold moisture well and will work great in a humid hide box. If you have enough substrate in your cage, you can sort of semi-bury the box, so that it looks like a little cave or burrow. Your cage is big enough to hold two big 'ole plastic boxes right? Well, if not, I'd recommend something bigger. When it comes to tortoise housing, the bigger the better.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

 

[Madkins007]

I like using big CHEs and good thermostats. The thermostat ensures that the CHE runs at the temp I want, and in general, big ones run at low temps seem to last longer and can be used in more situations.

There is not an absolute lowest temp or night temp but I generally like upper 70s or lower 80s as the low.

Humidity is basically water plus heat. Using sponges or damp substrate without heat will not provide a lot of humidity. More specific ideas would depend on a lot of factors but it is discussed on a lot of threads here.

 

[sachmn]

Thanks for the replies. I'm using an Exo-Terra thermostat that I used in a previous tank so I'm wondering about it's reliability now. Opinions on good thermostats/humidity gauges?

 

[fifthdawn]

CHE are great ways to heat up small enclosures but get the 100w or 150. I started off with the 60w and it was too weak. I lowered it to about 5inches off the ground just so they can actually feel the heat.

I had to switch to a 100w but my enclosure is quite small. I'd do 150w or higher on anything bigger than a 1x3 feet bin.

 

[sachmn]

CHE are great ways to heat up small enclosures but get the 100w or 150. I started off with the 60w and it was too weak. I lowered it to about 5inches off the ground just so they can actually feel the heat.

I had to switch to a 100w but my enclosure is quite small. I'd do 150w or higher on anything bigger than a 1x3 feet bin.

Yea, I kind of figured on a 100w. I have an open-top habitat going on. I'm currently trying to keep the basking temp. regular.
This has been rather difficult; it seems the Zoo-Med digital thermometer is rather inaccurate(though I had heard otherwise)...it jumps from 75 to 105, slowly, but the light is directly above at about 26"...any ideas?