HVAC / Exo Terra / CHE 150 watt question

[Cait18]

Hi everyone! New BP owner here. Just want to make sure this is okay— expert BP owners told me it was, but I’m nervous and want a second opinion.
Is it fine that I have my 150 Watt CHE resting directly on top of my 40 gallon Exo Terra’s top since it’s not all mesh and has cross-beams that are plastic but I covered them in like 5 layers of HVAC? The border of the Fluker’s dome rests on the plastic beams (but there are layers of HVAC in between)
Pictures attached. Thanks.


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[Cait18]

Another pic for a diff angle


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[Cait18]

Last pic for bird’s eye view


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[Hugsplox]

I really don't care much for the way Exo Terra does their lids, but that's another story. As far as having issues I had a 100 watt CHE on my Zilla 40, sitting close but not on the plastic edge of the lid. I had my BP in there for about a year before his PVC enclosure came and while it didn't melt the plastic it did warp it a little. I didn't have any kind of HVAC tape on it but I also didn't have the CHE sitting directly on the plastic like you do. Honestly I think only time will tell. Those CHEs get super hot and can definitely warp and melt plastic. Given that you wrapped that brace you might not have any issues, then again you might. I would keep an eye on it if you don't want to make any alterations, but if it were me I think I might see about getting something similar to the below lamp stand just to be safe.

https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-reptil...iABEgJNAvD_BwE

[Bogertophis]

I agree with Hugsplox's post above- your safety can (should-!) be improved by adding a little distance between that which gets HOT & that which can melt.

[KMG]

Is that not a lamp stand behind the tank? Use it. That's how I ran my CHEs when I did. The lamp stand makes things much safer and easier.

I also hope you have a tstat or dimmer. I only used 100w CHEs that were cut back on power. That was in my apartment that I kept 68 degrees. I can't imagine you needing a 150..... Or having it at full power on top of the cage like that.

[Armiyana]

I could be wrong...so correct me if I am!

I thought you shouldn't even use a CHE in a regular dome and had to run the wire cage type because it can really heat up the inside of the dome and melt the components. Or is that only a concern with the larger sized CHE bulbs?

[Bogertophis]

I could be wrong...so correct me if I am!

I thought you shouldn't even use a CHE in a regular dome and had to run the wire cage type because it can really heat up the inside of the dome and melt the components. Or is that only a concern with the larger sized CHE bulbs?

If you use a dome with a CHE, it MUST be the kind rated for that high heat output- and it WILL have a ceramic fixture inside to hold the bulb, NEVER a plastic one that the bulb screws into. The plastic ones will melt.

For safety, it also helps to use a large dome- not the small ones, & even the medium size ones might be an issue. Safety first, please everyone.

[KMG]

I could be wrong...so correct me if I am!

I thought you shouldn't even use a CHE in a regular dome and had to run the wire cage type because it can really heat up the inside of the dome and melt the components. Or is that only a concern with the larger sized CHE bulbs?

You are correct in part. The dome must have the holes near the base to be used with a CHE. That said I never trusted it and only used the wire version.

Using a wire fixture and lamp stands I still have the only CHEs I've ever bought and they ran for a couple years straight before I got a house and upgraded my keeping. They still work.

[Cait18]

Thanks so much for everyone’s input - for reference, I had a lamp stand, but it wasn’t getting nearly hot enough inside with the distance between. I also was losing a lot of humidity.

I also had a 100 Watt before this, but it wasn’t getting hot enough inside either.

Because of these reasons, I’d much rather change the whole lid to a mesh top instead of put the lamp stand back if necessary, but then I’d need to find one that will fit since this 40 gallon exo terra has a bit of an odd length (~35x18). It also already has the 6 lock latches on top, so I’d need some sort of clamps to add too if I replace the lid.

All in all, a hassle, which is why I was hoping that it’d be fine to leave the perimeter of the dome on the plastic borders since I covered it with HVAC tape. It’s not the biggest deal if the plastic warps a little in time, but I definitely don’t want melting plastic to put carcinogens into the air....


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