Wattage of CHE?

[benhamtroll]

We're getting a young BP, and will be housing it in a 20L vivarium. The guy at the pet store recommended a 65W CHE, but he also suggested a 10% UVB light, which I've since found out is not necessary, so I want to double check on his other suggestions. Their snake expert had just left when we got there, so I haven't had a chance to talk to her, so I'm hoping maybe you guys could help me out with this one . . .

[JLC]

I would highly suggest a UTH, rather than overhead heating. Start with a UTH on a thermostat (or a dimmer switch at the very least) and see if that gets the temps where you need them. Maybe two UTH's...one to heat the warm side, and one to keep the "cool" side warm enough, if the room its in is cold. And then if you need yet more help keeping the ambient temps up, look into a CHE.


That's what I would do, anyhow.

[tmlowe5704]

We're getting a young BP, and will be housing it in a 20L vivarium. The guy at the pet store recommended a 65W CHE, but he also suggested a 10% UVB light, which I've since found out is not necessary, so I want to double check on his other suggestions. Their snake expert had just left when we got there, so I haven't had a chance to talk to her, so I'm hoping maybe you guys could help me out with this one . . .

As long as ambient temps can stay up, use a UTH. I just put one on my 30g breeder when I moved my BP to it and it does take a while for the temp to get up. If you use a dimmer, set it up on high and leave it on over night with a therm/hygro and when you wake up, see where your temps are. Tinker with the dimmer from there. If you use a t-stat just set it for 90* and let it go. Last night I put it on and everytime the Accurite took a new reading, temps on the hot side went up about .2*. This morning it was at 93* and just needed to be turned down some. UTH are so much easier I think and are cheaper(depending on size) and make it look neater(cleaner).

[benhamtroll]

Really? Well that's cool. That will actually save me some initial cash in the set-up then, especially after leaving out a $30 UVB bulb and fixture.

Any recommendations on a type of thermostat?

[Shaun J]

Herpstat's look good to me. They are what I'm getting. The cost is well worth it. http://mgreptiles.com/HERPSTAT1.html

[JLC]

Well, the t-stat will more than make up for not buying the che and fixture. LOL But they are VERY worth it! On a budget, a Johnson or Ranco t-stat works great for monitoring a single cage. You need to order those from an online vendor. You can get something cheaper from a petstore, but they are not reliable.

[tmlowe5704]

Herpstat's look good to me. They are what I'm getting. The cost is well worth it. http://mgreptiles.com/HERPSTAT1.html

http://mgreptiles.com/ZOOSTAT.html

He said he was trying to save money here. Wait a few more days and get your stuff off the internet if you are trying to save. I went last night to buy a UTH for my 30g and paid an extra $3 because I did not/could not wait.

[Shaun J]

http://mgreptiles.com/ZOOSTAT.html

He said he was trying to save money here. Wait a few more days and get your stuff off the internet if you are trying to save. I went last night to buy a UTH for my 30g and paid an extra $3 because I did not/could not wait.

Yes, but why take a chance with an unreliable heat controller that could possibly burn your snake? Send Matt an email and ask him what is best for you.

[benhamtroll]

Yeah, $100+ is a bit much for the budget at the moment. I was actually taking a look at the ZooStat. Has anyone used it?