How high should my CHE be?

[nguyenda]

I currently working with a 10 gallon tank for my young Sulcata. I plan to move him in a month to a more open, larger enclosure. But for now, I'm using a 50w basking lamp that hits my Sulcata at 95-100. I recently exchanged my heat map for a 60 watt CHE light bulb. Where should my CHE be placed at night and should I raise it higher if it is 10 more watts than my basking lamp?

 

[Tom]

You need something larger immediately. 10 gallons is way too small. You can get a large plastic tub at the hardware store for $15-20.

You don't need a CHE or a bulb. You need both. The bulb creates a warmer basking area and the CHE set on a thermostat maintains the ambient heat where you want it day and night. In a 10 gallon tank you can't create the needed temperature gradient.

Please give these a read through:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Maro2Bear]

Welcome! I know you plan to move out of the 10 gallon... so are you daily swapping between daytime heat lamp and the CHE for night time warmth? 10 gallon is very small, not much room for temperature gradients...and hard for your young sully to move away or in to the sweet spot. Is there a lid/roof? Substrate, hide, water bowl.?

The Sulcata Tab explains all the heat requirements and more..

• https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Good luck...try to move quickly out of the 10 gallon tank.

 

[nguyenda]

Welcome! I know you plan to move out of the 10 gallon... so are you daily swapping between daytime heat lamp and the CHE for night time warmth? 10 gallon is very small, not much room for temperature gradients...and hard for your young sully to move away or in to the sweet spot. Is there a lid/roof? Substrate, hide, water bowl.?

The Sulcata Tab explains all the heat requirements and more..

• https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Good luck...try to move quickly out of the 10 gallon tank.

Yes, I will be swapping it back and fourth 12hr/12 hr. I had a mess lid that I cut out spaces for the bulbs to shine through. Then I have foil wrapped over the top to keep the humidity at 80%. Water bowl yes, hide is a plastic tub with space for him to climb inside. For substrate I am using coco coir and repti bark.

 

[Maro2Bear]

It’s much easier to have separate bulbs. CHE on a thermostat 24/7, and your other daytime, basking bulbs on timers.

I’d move up to a much larger tub like @Tom suggests...as soon as you can. 10 gal is way too small and you’re just setting ur self up for other issues.

 

[nguyenda]

You need something larger immediately. 10 gallons is way too small. You can get a large plastic tub at the hardware store for $15-20.

You don't need a CHE or a bulb. You need both. The bulb creates a warmer basking area and the CHE set on a thermostat maintains the ambient heat where you want it day and night. In a 10 gallon tank you can't create the needed temperature gradient.

Please give these a read through:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Gotcha. How do I keep the humidity in an open plastic tub? This is currently what I have extra right now to use: https://imgur.com/a/Mdmng. Dimensions is a 57 liter tub - 35" x 19" x 7". Can I cut holes in the top and hang lights over there?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Gotcha. How do I keep the humidity in an open plastic tub? This is currently what I have extra right now to use: https://imgur.com/a/Mdmng. Dimensions is a 57 liter tub - 35" x 19" x 7". Can I cut holes in the top and hang lights over there?

Need to work on covering it.

 

[nguyenda]

It’s much easier to have separate bulbs. CHE on a thermostat 24/7, and your other daytime, basking bulbs on timers.

I’d move up to a much larger tub like @Tom suggests...as soon as you can. 10 gal is way too small and you’re just setting ur self up for other issues.

Okay so 24/7 CHE, gotcha. What temperatures should I aim for and where should it hang? Over his hideout?

 

[nguyenda]

Need to work on covering it.

How should I go about it? Is the lid to the box good enough. Cutting spaces where the lights are and covering 75% of the enclosure?

 

[Maro2Bear]

How should I go about it? Is the lid to the box good enough. Cutting spaces where the lights are and covering 75% of the enclosure?

There are all kinds of options. You could cut holes like you say. I made a customized top using a piece of plywood. Cut holes where I wanted lights, CHE. I Placed two hinges length wize so I could open and close without interfering with the lights or CHE. There’s no right answer, but you want a large humid enclosure that provides light, warmth, heat, good moist substrate, with plenty of area for walking about, hiding, exploring, eating, drinking etc. hope this helps.

 

[Tom]

Gotcha. How do I keep the humidity in an open plastic tub? This is currently what I have extra right now to use: https://imgur.com/a/Mdmng. Dimensions is a 57 liter tub - 35" x 19" x 7". Can I cut holes in the top and hang lights over there?

A temporary fix is to get a tub and cover the top as much as you can safely.

The best solution is to buy or build a large closed chamber. You will need a 4x8' enclosure to get this guy big enough to move outside eventually. If he was well started, that could be in 18-24 months.

I like and use many of these thermostats:
https://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller

Look up "Animal Plastics" terrestrial cages for a large one to buy.

 

[shellandpenny]

It’s much easier to have separate bulbs. CHE on a thermostat 24/7, and your other daytime, basking bulbs on timers.

I’d move up to a much larger tub like @Tom suggests...as soon as you can. 10 gal is way too small and you’re just setting ur self up for other issues.

Late to the party here but I’m wondering.. I need to have a basking bulb AND a CHE? FYI I have two Russians and a sulcata. Indoors mostly (sulcata is a baby)