Heat and melting

[elly]

I'm considering a 60w ceramic heat emitter bulb as well as the heating pad I already have, but I'm concerned that it would melt the plastic hood. Is this likely?

Also, does anyone have tips for heating a plastic hospital tank? I'm considering wrapping it with an electric blanket.

Heating seems like a problem...lots of trial and error and careful positioning considering I don't have central heating. It's warm here, so usually I don't need it, but there are a few very cold days.

[deranged chipmunk]

Those items combined would surely melt a plastic tank. The best way to keep a hospital tank warm is keeping room ambient temps in line. As far as cold days, as long as the temp doesn't fall too low in your house for too long, I would probably go with the heating pad more so than the light. I would test them both first so you aren't trying to dial it in with frogs in there.


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[Mentat]

If plastic enclosure is not too big; you can heat it with ZooMeds Reptitherm Mini. A 60 watt heat emitter can only be placed over metallic screen tops; not plastic or glass.

One trick I've used to heat a small enclosure is to use a red heat bulb in a standard goose neck or similar desk lamp (do not exceed the lamp's max watt). Then you adjust the distance between the lamp and the enclosure until have the right temp. That will only work in an environment where no one will move lamp or critter keeper while you are not there. Good luck !

[elly]

I did get a 60watt ceramic heat emitter, but I got a dome and a tall stand as well so I could suspend it over the plastic tank. Combined with the Reptitherm Mini it's working pretty well, but it won't when it gets colder. I guess I need to hurry up and move the frog to his permanent home soon. I'm considering getting a heat emitter higher than 60 watts, but I'm a bit concerned that that would melt the light fixture on the exo terra even if it wasn't directly above it. Any experience with that, anybody?

[Mentat]

If the heat emitter is above the enclosure with lot's of air gap in between, you will loose a heat to surrounding air. Mine are resting straight on the screen top and 60W is more than enough for a 10G tank, specially if some of top is covered in aluminum foil. Myself cover around 75-80% of it to retain heat and humidity .

[elly]

Sadly I think the gap is necessary with something plastic. As far as the Exo-Terra goes, would it be alright to put the dome directly on the screen if it would be sitting next to the exo-terra plastic light fixture? Do I need to remove the light if I want heating? Or should I try putting a space heater nearby instead? Also my tank's 18x18x24''. Should have mentioned that.