CHE strength

[baldegale]

hi! so i have a 100 watt CHE, but its at least 3 years old (yes it miraculously still works) but my question is, do they lose strength over time? i have this one trying to heat a 6x3x2’ enclosure. im trying to get the ambient temp to about 83° F and even with a halogen basking 45 watt bulb at the same time its struggling to get past 77-78° which doesnt seem right. mind you this bulb has been in use every day in that 3 year life span. so i wonder if i just replace it if itll do better

(also this is for a tortoise if that matters to anybody)


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[Turningstar]

Sounds like its losing some strength. My 100 watt heated my tort tank (8x2x2) up to the 80s, as long as the room temps werent really low.

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[baldegale]

Sounds like its losing some strength. My 100 watt heated my tort tank (8x2x2) up to the 80s, as long as the room temps werent really low.

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heres a pic of the enclosure aswell. but yeah the room temps are in the low to mid 70s 24/7 and it’s struggling! (the plastic used is polyethylene sheet, same stuff used in greenhouses)

also, would it be more efficient to take the reflector off?



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[Turningstar]

I doubt removing the reflector would help much.
Other than buying another che, maybe a 150 watt, you could try new doors on it. Lowes sells plexiglass sheets in 4x2 sections. They arent too expensive and can be hung on hinges or rails for sliding. It will hold in heat much better than the plastic sheeting you have.

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[Turningstar]

This is my tank with plexiglass.
Its a couple tears old and needs work, but hold heat well.

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[Turningstar]

Would help if I actually upload the pic!

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[baldegale]

Would help if I actually upload the pic!

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polyethylene is a good insulator, along with keeping humidity in, to the point that i cant keep it 100% air tight otherwise humidity would literally never drop without heat involved. except directly above the CHE i dont feel heat above anywhere on the plastic but the second i reach my hand in i can tell the difference 100%


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