how long do ceramic heat emitters last?

[cmack91]

thats all i want to know

[RichsBallPythons]

For a good 2 years unless you bought faulty one.

But not something you use for snakes

[cmack91]

why not use them for snakes, too hot or something?

[RichsBallPythons]

Yes they do get way to hot, and were designed for monitors and lizards needing hot spots 100F+

[cmack91]

okay, i see, thankyou

[ogdentrece]

Not to spark of debate about it or anyhting, but although they do get too hot, there are some cases which requires its use, actually, and ways to work around its getting too hot and the humidity loss. I dont think we should immediately deem anything useless or completely unsuitable without finding out the circumstances and considering ways to make it work.

The main thing that may require the use of a CHE is usually low ambient temps, like below 75F. Snakes have really long lungs and even if the enclosure floor is heated to 90+F, the high end of whats acceptable, inhaling cold air can significantly drop its core temp. Heating enclosure floors through UTHs do little to raise ambient temps by any noticable amount, maybe except for inside a hide. This is when a CHE, IR lamp or radiant heat panel is needed more. It is especially relavant to people who dont use alot of heating and dont have a dedicated snake room, thus the low air temps. The high temps of the CHE are easily dealt with by means of a thermostat high up near the top where the CHE is. And humidity, well I do fine with a water bowl below and covered top. And there are numerous other supplementary methods you can employ to further increase humidity if thats still a problem.

[cmack91]

thanks for the info, right now i have a 55g with a 100w on the left, and 90watts on the right during the day, and 75 watts on the right at night. which keeps my temps at the following:
Day time: (with only 75 watts on the right)
83 on the left
78 on the right
93-94 on the branch on the right
Night time:
90 on the branch
76 below(right side)
75 on the left
i have the water bowl directly under the lamps on the right side
with hides on the left and one more towards center but still kinda on the right
heres some pics:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tch-quot-my-BP

[canzoman]

I have a 20 long with a CHE and a UTH on the same side. Both are going through a thermostat set at 88. The other side of my tank is 77. He seems happy. I got the CHE because I have about 3 inches of Eco Earth and didn't think it would get warm enough and also to help with humidity.
I have a Helix 1000 thermostat.