Heat and melting

[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.