Q about Heat Source

hello all!

I'm having a problem with the heat source in my enclosure. I'm using a hot lamp that has adjustable heat. It's made by Esskay and it's a Delux Arizona Hot Lamp with 5.5" dome for a 10 gallon enclosure. It says "DO NOT use lamp over 75W with dimmer function." So originally I bought a 50W infared heat bulb made by Exo Terra. It made my basking spot for Medusa around 82-89.. sometimes up to 93 depending on the time of day, but more often it was always between 82-89ish. And it tended to be on the lower end of that range so it worried me. So I figured that I needed to buy a stronger heat bulb for my lamp right? So I bought a 75W, thinking that it would be fine. It WAS fine, and it did raise the temps on the basking side to 90-95ish, so I was happy, but then it ended up burning out on me in one day. So I thought maybe 75W was too high since the lamp said to not use 75W with dimmer function. So I bought a 60W, and it made my basking range 88-93ish, so I was happy with that also. But that burnt out on me after one day too!

So I assume there is something wrong with my heat lamp?? So I want to replace it ASAP. What kind do you guys use and where did you buy yours from? I'm getting frustrated with mine and tired of buying light bulbs!! Thanks..

WalMart is your friend. Go and buy a shop lamp(clamp included) for $5, and a 60W CHE from the Pet Store(ExoTerra is an ok brand- will run about $20 but will last you around 5 years). If you have a dimmer, great. If not, go to Home Depot and get a Lutron Credenza model from the lighting dept. They run about $10. Then, go to the glass department and get a small sheet of their cheapest plexiglass. Measure the inside dimensions of your screen lid and cut the plexiglas to fit it. Then drill some small holes in the plexi so allow for air circulation as well as a larger circle or square out of the plexi to allow for the lamp(or don't worry about the lamp at all and cover the whole screen top).

Hope you got some of that! :) If you have any other questions, just ask.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

...and a 60W CHE from the Pet Store(ExoTerra is an ok brand- will run about $20 but will last you around 5 years).

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Thanks a lot!! But what does CHE stand for? Sorry.. so new to all this still!

And any suggestions for keeping humidity raised? I was going to go buy some sphagnum moss... she's starting to shed now.. thanks again!

It's a Ceramic Heater. I use these in my vivs. They are expensive - over here they cost £18 but do last. I use mine on HabiStat thermostats.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...d/PICT0112.jpg

Hope this helps:)

CHE stands for Ceramic Heat Emitter. The lamp doesn't emit light, so therefore no disturbance to your snake, day or night. They can get extremely hot though. I use a 60w on my male boa's tub. It is connected to one of those Lutron Credenza dimmers and it keeps the cool side around 80-82 as well as the ambient temps up where they should be. I have to use a heat lamp on Ruari's tub because the dimensions are HUGE(4'x2'x14"). Too much air space to heat without using one.