Awesome deal and question about CHE vs. Heat Lamp

So recently I posted about upgrading to a 30g. Lots of folks talked said it was better to get an AP T8. However, not in the budget.

What was in the budget was a person on CL selling a 30g Critter Cage with a 100w CHE, water bowl, and Exo Terra extra-large reptile cave. He wanted $50. I offered $30 for just the cage alone. I ended up with all of it for $35!!!!

So I am on my way to putting together Percy's new digs. This time I will be lining it with some foam board insulation painted black. foil over the top as usual.

Question is.....which would be better, the infrared heat light I have now in his 20L (or a higher watt one), or the CHE??

If I use the CHE, I'll want to put a light on top anyway. Wonder if they make infrared long bulbs (non-heat)/fixtures. I kinda got used to the red glow. Cozy in the winter, ya know LOL.

Thoughts?

Nobody can tell you what is best for you. You need to figure out what heat source the new tank needs by running it.

I would set it up with the che and see what it gives you. Leave your snake in its tank until you get the new one dialed in.

I like che and I like using them with the Zoo Med lamp stand. They allow you to point the che and raise and lower it to the desired height.

If you want another bulb for light alone you could always add a led bulb.

You said you were adding a lining but if it were me Id put the insulation on the outside instead.

I planned on putting it outside. My mistake. Didn't mean I would line the inside. I've got time to set it up.

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Originally Posted by jack jones

So recently I posted about upgrading to a 30g. Lots of folks talked said it was better to get an AP T8. However, not in the budget.

What was in the budget was a person on CL selling a 30g Critter Cage with a 100w CHE, water bowl, and Exo Terra extra-large reptile cave. He wanted $50. I offered $30 for just the cage alone. I ended up with all of it for $35!!!!

So I am on my way to putting together Percy's new digs. This time I will be lining it with some foam board insulation painted black. foil over the top as usual.

Question is.....which would be better, the infrared heat light I have now in his 20L (or a higher watt one), or the CHE??

If I use the CHE, I'll want to put a light on top anyway. Wonder if they make infrared long bulbs (non-heat)/fixtures. I kinda got used to the red glow. Cozy in the winter, ya know LOL.

Thoughts?

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If you're using that I would stick with a CHE over a IR bulb, but make sure you have it on a thermostat.

I prefer CHE over bulbs that burn out and need to be replaced. CHEs last forever (almost)

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Originally Posted by Neal

If you're using that I would stick with a CHE over a IR bulb, but make sure you have it on a thermostat.

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.....and screwed into the right kind of dome. Some domes are meant for lights and NOT CHE's and KMG's suggestion of the Zoo Med pole isn't a bad one either because they can get real hot, and as said above that is where the thermostat helps too. I like using the thermostat with the heat bulbs too, doesn't make them blow quicker because of the on/off, actually the opposite, they last longer because they are not on as much. I tried it so I know.

I have a thermostat for the UTH but I have never heard of one for the CHE. How would that even work? Wouldn't I then need two thermostats? My heat bulb now is on a dimmer switch. Would that be sufficient with a CHE after monitoring and setting it?

Yes, the che would need its own tstat.

A dimmer will work just as it does on a bulb.