New Enclosure for my young DT. Heating question.

[gabby.santana]

My very hardworking Boyfriend built this new enclosure for my desert tortoise.

It is very spacious and it has its own door with a lock. It is extremely very well sealed, so no rain water can get in.

The insulation is protected by very very tough plastic that makes it impossible for him to tear through and eat any insulation.

We are not done yet.

The window was added to the roof to let the sunlight in during the winter. So he always has access to it.

I still need to put in coco fiber, dishes and his hut.

My question is, should I just use CHE lamps or a heating pad mounted on the roof for heat ( In addition, to the basking lamp i will screw on.) I could not find a small radiator that could fit without hitting the roof.



Also there is an updated pic of mogali he is getting very big and is very curious.

 

[baldegale]

if you get a couple CHEs id assume you can get temps up pretty easily as that looks to be about 4’x4’x2’

 

[gabby.santana]

My very hardworking Boyfriend built this new enclosure for my desert tortoise.

It is very spacious and it has its own door with a lock. It is extremely very well sealed, so no rain water can get in.

The insulation is protected by very very tough plastic that makes it impossible for him to tear through and eat any insulation.

We are not done yet.

The window was added to the roof to let the sunlight in during the winter. So he always has access to it.

I still need to put in coco fiber, dishes and his hut.

My question is, should I just use CHE lamps or a heating pad mounted on the roof for heat ( In addition, to the basking lamp i will screw on.) I could not find a small radiator that could fit without hitting the roof.



Also there is an updated pic of mogali he is getting very big and is very curious. View attachment 227158View attachment 227160View attachment 227161

We temporarily ran out of washers and had to use bottle caps. Haha

 

[Hugo's Home]

Radiant heat pannels work well from what I've heard. I believe people usually use the 80 watt ones on a thermostat. Less fire danger and wont slow burn your growing tortoise like the che might. @Tom usually uses these in his 4x4 boxes. They mount on the celing.
They are found here:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

 

[gabby.santana]

My very hardworking Boyfriend built this new enclosure for my desert tortoise.

It is very spacious and it has its own door with a lock. It is extremely very well sealed, so no rain water can get in.

The insulation is protected by very very tough plastic that makes it impossible for him to tear through and eat any insulation.

We are not done yet.

The window was added to the roof to let the sunlight in during the winter. So he always has access to it.

I still need to put in coco fiber, dishes and his hut.

My question is, should I just use CHE lamps or a heating pad mounted on the roof for heat ( In addition, to the basking lamp i will screw on.) I could not find a small radiator that could fit without hitting the roof.



Also there is an updated pic of mogali he is getting very big and is very curious. View attachment 227158View attachment 227160View attachment 227161

Side note... during winter nights, I'll bring him inside as recommeded.

 

[Yvonne G]

I use 60 watt incandescent black light bulbs for night heat in most of my outdoor sheds. One or two sheds have the 250 watt brooder lights (way too big for your night house), and one of them has three radiant heat panels. I would think you can get by with a CHE, maybe a 100 watt. You'll just have to try it and see. THe CHE is only about $25, while the radiant heat panels are about $80. A black bulb is only $3. Many people say you shouldn't have light at night. I've never had a problem with my black lights or my brooder lights. The black lights are just like moon light. My tortoises just sleep at night, so the lights don't bother them.

Your BF did a nice job on the little house.

 

[baldegale]

I use 60 watt incandescent black light bulbs for night heat in most of my outdoor sheds. One or two sheds have the 250 watt brooder lights (way too big for your night house), and one of them has three radiant heat panels. I would think you can get by with a CHE, maybe a 100 watt. You'll just have to try it and see. THe CHE is only about $25, while the radiant heat panels are about $80. A black bulb is only $3. Many people say you shouldn't have light at night. I've never had a problem with my black lights or my brooder lights. The black lights are just like moon light. My tortoises just sleep at night, so the lights don't bother them.

Your BF did a nice job on the little house.

if you go on amazon you can get 150 watt BYBlight brooder lamps for $12 each

 

[Yvonne G]

if you go on amazon you can get 150 watt BYBlight brooder lamps for $12 each

I buy mine at Tractor Supply - a 2 pack for $8.99. My sheds are big enough that I need the 250 watt lights. I think 150 watts would be too hot for Gabby's night house.

 

[baldegale]

I buy mine at Tractor Supply - a 2 pack for $8.99. My sheds are big enough that I need the 250 watt lights. I think 150 watts would be too hot for Gabby's night house.

depends, i use a 150 watt in my 5’x2’x2’ and the ambient temp is like 90°

 

[SULCY]

If you use the zilla temp controller with the bulbs it will turn on and off when needed.

 

[gabby.santana]

Thank you everyone. I have not yet added any sort of heat in there so I'm not sure what how warm it can get in there.

 

[SULCY]

I use a oil filled radiator and it works really well.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MXEDAV2/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[gabby.santana]

If you use the zilla temp controller with the bulbs it will turn on and off when needed.

Where can i buy one?

 

[SULCY]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076J1CZV...t=&hvlocphy=9003562&hvtargid=pla-406065892794

 

[Yvonne G]

Where can i buy one?

No one here in town carries the mini. You have to buy it online. You can click on that link above and buy it from Amazon.com

 

[Yvonne G]

Not the link in post #14, but the link in post #12

 

[gabby.santana]

I'm not familiar with how oil radiators work, can someone explain? And I'm assuming one has control on how high the heat goes?

 

[SULCY]

Very easy to use just plug in. The thermostat on the radiator is not as good as the Zilla controller which is more precise so I would definitely use it. What you do is plug the radiator into the controller and set the radiator on high. Check the temp in you're enclosure and adjust the knob on the controller until it reaches the temp you need. It will turn the radiator on and off to keep the right temp. Hope this makes sense.

 

[gabby.santana]

Very easy to use just plug in. The thermostat on the radiator is not as good as the Zilla controller which is more precise so I would definitely use it. What you do is plug the radiator into the controller and set the radiator on high. Check the temp in you're enclosure and adjust the knob on the controller until it reaches the temp you need. It will turn the radiator on and off to keep the right temp. Hope this makes sense.

Thank you and the zilla controller will control the temps right? Is that what your saying?

 

[SULCY]

Yes it has a temperature probe that you put into the enclosed