MORE Lighting questions!

[MonaSydly]

Okay, so my dad wants me to plan out what I need for a tortoise, IF I get one. He wants to know the original cost for him. (I'm paying for the actual tort)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zoo-Med-W...Heat-Lamp-for-Reptiles/21444024#ProductDetail

Is that light fixture suitable? I've never really seen one like this before, but if it wouldn't be good for a tort, I obviously don't want it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFVYEU/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

..or would this one be better? I can't tell whether it has a ceramic socket or not though...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQCXM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

This one says it's a porcelain one. But it is a clamp one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQCPK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

This is the bulb I would use for heat, someone suggested a 60 watt for a Russian hatchling earlier so that's what I'm going with I think.

Another thought, how do I tell if it has a ceramic socket or not?

I plan on using a 50 gallon rubbermaid container from either Home Depot or Lowes or something like that.

I think I will go with a mix of coconut coir and organic soil for substrate from what I've heard on here.

Thanks for your input!

 

[wellington]

I like the ones with the solid dome. Helps reflect heat down to where tort is. I do believe all the ones you pictured have a ceramic socket. Usually if they aren't ceramic, the socket is brown or black, not white. Any would do.

 

[jaizei]

Technically, the wire cage is the only one that CHEs are supposed to be used with, not solid dome reflectors.

 

[wellington]

I have always only used dome fixtures for CHE. Never a problem. Not sure why they only recommend the wire.

 

[jaizei]

Heat build up. CHEs get hot. Real hot. The dome traps more of the heat around the socket than a cage would.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

If you use a ceramic-socket fixture that is rated to hold the wattage of the bulb, there shouldn't be any danger using a CHE with a dome fixture. I would think the wire cage is just as much of a safety risk from people accidentally bumping into it and burning themselves. I could totally use the product exactly as the company directs, and still accidentally hurt myself, and potentially sue them...just because they suggest using that open wire caging. ANd of course, there's the aforementioned issue of heat loss. Completely defeats the purpose of using the CHE in the first place if you stick it in a open wire cage where all that heat is dissipated in the surrounding air instead of getting directed into the enclosure where it is needed.

Never had an issue using CHEs with dome fixtures. This is just a ploy by the company to sell an odd, alternative, but ultimately redundant and useless product.