Will my CHE be a problem with my exo-teraa terrarium??

Hey guys, yet another thread for the same issue.

So I went shopping and got everything I needed (except for the plexiglass, ill get it soon). But here's the problem. The best dome I could get at my local petstore is a Flukers 8.5" Lamp Clamp with ceramic socket, of course. The fixture doesn't fit between the two plastic crossbars...

On another thread I asked if setting the dome on top of the plastic was okay, and a user had told me it should be fine (thanks btw for the help/response). HOWEVER, after discussing it with my dad he is very afraid of the plastic melting and potentially causing a fire. I have a dimmer, so I can turn the wattage of the 100W CHE down (or however you explain how dimmers work), but I'm still afraid of those plastic crossbars melting with the dome ontop. ALSO, will the foam backround melt?? I don't plan on "directing" the CHE at it, and I'm only using the CHE to raise ambient temps, but I am still concerned. No, I cannot get the 5.5" because the wattage is only up to a 75W bulb on that.

Is there anyway we can accommodate for the dome? Should I use the lamp clamp and hover the dome? Will everything be okay and I'm just being paranoid? Please help!

Thanks a bunch!

(ps here's some visuals)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/79683.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/69020.jpg

(also, yes I have posted this on my original thread for this problem, but I figured there was no harm in giving it its own thread. Sorry if this bothers any of you)

It shouldn't melt! I have the same problem with my fixture not fitting between the crossbars. My CHE is set to 80 something degrees and has been like that since day one (have had it for over a month now), and it has yet to melt it or show any signs of potential melting. Also, it shouldn't melt the foam background either, as I haven't had any problems with that either.


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Originally Posted by LivingDeadGirl

It shouldn't melt! I have the same problem with my fixture not fitting between the crossbars. My CHE is set to 80 something degrees and has been like that since day one (have had it for over a month now), and it has yet to melt it or show any signs of potential melting. Also, it shouldn't melt the foam background either, as I haven't had any problems with that either.


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Ah okay, I was so nervous. My dad and I were thinking about trying a 75W with the 5.5" to get it to 80, but I didn't wanna do that because 100W was recommended for my 40 gal. I will let him know about your situation. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Ah okay, I was so nervous. My dad and I were thinking about trying a 75W with the 5.5" to get it to 80, but I didn't wanna do that because 100W was recommended for my 40 gal. I will let him know about your situation. Thanks!

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No problem!


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Originally Posted by LivingDeadGirl

No problem!


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Welp, he's still nervous even after I showed him the thread. He still wants to try to 75W bulb, since I don't need an insanely drastic temp increase. I told him the 100W was recommended to me for the 40 gal but he's sure it'll work. I guess I'll see how it plays out. Dads... am I right? lol :P

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Welp, he's still nervous even after I showed him the thread. He still wants to try to 75W bulb, since I don't need an insanely drastic temp increase. I told him the 100W was recommended to me for the 40 gal but he's sure it'll work. I guess I'll see how it plays out. Dads... am I right? lol :P

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TBH i'd be worried, too. heated plastics that aren't supposed to be heated are not a good thing no matter what. if you can, you could try getting the 75W and see how it goes, bc the direct heat does concern me.

i'm not sure of a solution to the problem with the plastic bars...i'd try the 75W if it's possible.

EDIT: what temp do you need it at to get your temps right?

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

TBH i'd be worried, too. heated plastics that aren't supposed to be heated are not a good thing no matter what. if you can, you could try getting the 75W and see how it goes, bc the direct heat does concern me.

i'm not sure of a solution to the problem with the plastic bars...i'd try the 75W if it's possible.

EDIT: what temp do you need it at to get your temps right?

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we have decided to get the 75W. Right now my ambient and cool side temp is about 72 degrees... I need it at like 80. So not too bad, not too drastic. I'm just going to keep trying my best with what I can do until I can get this right. I'll update this thread after I get the 75W

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

we have decided to get the 75W. Right now my ambient and cool side temp is about 72 degrees... I need it at like 80. So not too bad, not too drastic. I'm just going to keep trying my best with what I can do until I can get this right. I'll update this thread after I get the 75W

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for temps i meant what temp does the dome get? the temp the lamp would sit at is important. do you have an IR temp gun? it would help here.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

for temps i meant what temp does the dome get? the temp the lamp would sit at is important. do you have an IR temp gun? it would help here.

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Oops sorry! Mistake on my part. I don't have an IR temp gun yet but I'll be getting one soon, I told my dad how important they are and we're going to order one. I'm not exactly sure how hot the dome gets TBH, and I don't wanna pretend like I do know.

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Oops sorry! Mistake on my part. I don't have an IR temp gun yet but I'll be getting one soon, I told my dad how important they are and we're going to order one. I'm not exactly sure how hot the dome gets TBH, and I don't wanna pretend like I do know.

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so i just did some quick googling and even cheap plastics have a melting point of ~212° F. you might just be okay. i'd wait a week or so to monitor your heating and see how it goes, but a temp gun will help here. go ahead and try some googling for yourself so you can explain to your dad in your own words. [emoji3]

EDIT: so i just asked MY dad (he's an engineer) and he says this is definitely a fire hazard, because worst-case scenario is not worth the risk. it CAN present a fire hazard. definitely try the 75W. i'm very sorry for the confusing answers, i'm just trying to help!!!

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

so i just did some quick googling and even cheap plastics have a melting point of ~212° F. you might just be okay. i'd wait a week or so to monitor your heating and see how it goes. go ahead and try some googling for yourself so you can explain to your dad in your own words. [emoji3]

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Wow thank you so much tttaylorrr. I will be sure to monitor those temps as I have been for the past two weeks lol. That actually what I do right when I get home from school- straight to my terrarium. Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it and you always seem to have some sort of answer. I'll update the thread every now and then so you guys know what's happening with the heat.

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Wow thank you so much tttaylorrr. I will be sure to monitor those temps as I have been for the past two weeks lol. That actually what I do right when I get home from school- straight to my terrarium. Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it and you always seem to have some sort of answer. I'll update the thread every now and then so you guys know what's happening with the heat.

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i made and edit to my last post: so i just asked MY dad (he's an engineer) and he says this is definitely a fire hazard, because worst-case scenario is not worth the risk. it CAN present a fire hazard. definitely try the 75W. i'm very sorry for the confusing answers, i'm just trying to help!!!

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i made and edit to my last post: so i just asked MY dad (he's an engineer) and he says this is definitely a fire hazard, because worst-case scenario is not worth the risk. it CAN present a fire hazard. definitely try the 75W. i'm very sorry for the confusing answers, i'm just trying to help!!!

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It's perfectly fine. You're trying your best to help me and that's what's awesome. Not confusing at all. We are definitely gonna try the 75W, he still doesn't trust the 100W. Thank you again for your responses and even asking your dad for me lol. No fires for me... Not what I want. Ever.

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

It's perfectly fine. You're trying your best to help me and that's what's awesome. Not confusing at all. We are definitely gonna try the 75W, he still doesn't trust the 100W. Thank you again for your responses and even asking your dad for me lol. No fires for me... Not what I want. Ever.

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my dad deals with heat, electricity and this kinda stuff on a daily basis. after i answered your post, i was actually questioning myself, so I asked my dad. he agreed that it's just not a good idea if it can be prevented.

thank you for your patience. i just want what's best for you. [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

my dad deals with heat, electricity and this kinda stuff on a daily basis. after i answered your post, i was actually questioning myself, so I asked my dad. he agreed that it's just not a good idea if it can be prevented.

thank you for your patience. i just want what's best for you. [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]

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And thank you for your help. We will be trying to 75W shortly, my dad is gonna make a pet store run for me while I'm at school. Thanks again for lookin out for both my snake's and my own safety it means a lot.

Don't know if this will help, but I've used the exo-terra 40gal in the past. I would use a 50 or 75 watt ceramic on a thermostat on the hot side and a 25 watt nighttime bulb with a dimmer on the other. (this was usually for colubirds so I did not need to achieve the temps required for a ball python). In the winter I would wrap three sides of the tank with aluminum bubble wrap to help hold in the heat (link below). Regular bubble wrap may work too - I'm not sure as I never used it before. I also covered the top with plexi glass that had holes cut for the lamps that were used if needed.

The one ball python we had in this set up was a 3500 gram (probably female) that was able to easily pop the lid locks off the cage - this was a second hand cage and may not have been the sturdiest, but we have to get creative to keep her in the tanks - just something to consider. With her, we were not able to get her temps in to the mid 80's with the 50 and 25 watt combo, so you may have to play around with that.

My current ball python is in a similar set up - an animal plastics T11 with a 100 watt che on a thermostat and a 50 watt nighttime bulb on a dimmer. I have not had to used the bulb since April, the che keeps the cool side beween 79 and 81 while keeping the hot side 87-90 (with the hot hide being 88-90). Hope this helps.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I can 100% guarantee the plastic will NOT melt. I have the same exact terrarium and I use the same CHE and I was also worried about the same thing, but just to be safe I covered the plastic bars in aluminum foil tape (Which is heat resistant), but either way it will not melt.

No need to worry. Just use that tape to cover the plastic and place the lamp right on top. The CHE bulb will not touch the bars because it's smaller, so the only thing that will is the edge rim of the lamp. No need to worry about that as it doesn't even get nearly as hot as the CHE bulb too.

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Originally Posted by Kevin8998

I can 100% guarantee the plastic will NOT melt. I have the same exact terrarium and I use the same CHE and I was also worried about the same thing, but just to be safe I covered the plastic bars in aluminum foil tape (Which is heat resistant), but either way it will not melt.

No need to worry. Just use that tape to cover the plastic and place the lamp right on top. The CHE bulb will not touch the bars because it's smaller, so the only thing that will is the edge rim of the lamp. No need to worry about that as it doesn't even get nearly as hot as the CHE bulb too.

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how can you guarantee this 100% based on one single experience? the dome does not get as hot as the CHE, but the dome can still get very hot; mine does to the point where i can't keep my hands on it. most instruction manuals that come with CHEs and domes say to not have the product touch anything that is flammable or could present a fire hazard (like plastics).

if someone can eliminate ANY risk factors with a simple modification, then it should be done. it's always better to be safe than sorry...

Okay everyone here's the dealio. I'm a minor and as one I still have to listen to my father. So whatever he says goes. Even with that, I still have concerns. I WILL be trying the 75W. If it does not work, I will simple have to try something else. I am not afraid of spending a little extra cash on a new bulb and fixture to make everything right.

I appreciate all of your input. I really do. But it's something that my dad is not comfortable with, and something that I am still scared of myself.

Thank you to the user who suggested the bubble wrap method along with having two bulbs, I'll see what happens with the heat. I don't want to do anything unless I absolutely 100% need to, but insulation has been highly suggested so I will definitely heavily consider that product. Thanks again.

Also, I have heard of the 100W CHE working with the aluminum foil tape, but like I said I don't have to raise the temp that drastically- I mean all of a sudden it's getting up to 76 on the hot side sometimes for whatever reason- and I am willing to try the 75W first and avoid touching the plastic completely. Thank you for sharing your experience, though.

So, the 75W is DEFINITELY being tested first. That IS what WILL be happening. I will update the thread after I get it and after some experimentation. If it doesn't work, yeah, I could try something else. But that's what's going on. I appreciate everyone's help with this issue from the very beginning. Thanks a bunch, toodles.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

how can you guarantee this 100% based on one single experience? the dome does not get as hot as the CHE, but the dome can still get very hot; mine does to the point where i can't keep my hands on it. most instruction manuals that come with CHEs and domes say to not have the product touch anything that is flammable or could present a fire hazard (like plastics).

if someone can eliminate ANY risk factors with a simple modification, then it should be done. it's always better to be safe than sorry...

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I can guarantee this because like I said I have the same tank (so obviously the same black plastic bars) and I use a CHE exactly as he is describing and it's 100W and I have it turned full heat and it's always resting on those bars. I covered it with the aluminum foil tape and haven't had any issues. The bars don't even get very hot.

I'm just saying it's safe because I've been through this and tested it and it is safe to place on those bars.

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Originally Posted by Kevin8998

I can guarantee this because like I said I have the same tank (so obviously the same black plastic bars) and I use a CHE exactly as he is describing and it's 100W and I have it turned full heat and it's always resting on those bars. I covered it with the aluminum foil tape and haven't had any issues. The bars don't even get very hot.

I'm just saying it's safe because I've been through this and tested it and it is safe to place on those bars.

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I am a female, but don't worry everyone does that haha. I'll consider this if the 75W does not work. But I'm going to try that first, since it won't be my only heat source (I have a UTH). But sometimes things can happen even if it's the same situation.

Ps- I know this response wasn't to me but I felt like I needed to respond