Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[kingcobra]

i have been asked what wattage of ceramic would be needed for either a 5x2x2 or 6x2x2 vivarium which is being kept in a cold environment,possibly down as low as 5c in winter. any body know?reptiles temp should be from 26-30c!!
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we all have the spark of divinity within us, but are we responsible enough to use it?

[GJ]

A 250w CHE is the largest bulb you can get, i would try a pair of those via a 600 habistat. A well built vivarium insulated could make allot of difference.

I don't think anybody could tell you for sure, its a case of trial and error.

Is it going into a garage/shed....

[kingcobra]

thanks for your post, its going in a garage.
_________________
we all have the spark of divinity within us, but are we responsible enough to use it?

[mattie]

the ceramic is only going to heat directly under it too the correct temperature, the cool end of the viv will only be a few degrees above the temp of the room, which is a potential problem, when i kept a pair of beardies in a un insulated loft, i used a statted tubular heater inside the viv, this provided a constant background temp of around 80f. while the rest of the room was hovering around the high 50 low 60f mark

you can pick tubular heaters up from argos for about 20 quid

hope this helps

[GJ]

I have used tubular heaters and they do work well, particularly for lizards/torts. When using them for snakes you need to box them in good to prevent the snake coiling around the heater, this can take up a fair bit of room especially in small enclosures, 2ft depth is not much to work with. You would need to use a 4-5ft tubular heater to keep the temps up on the cool side.

[Bri.]

Might be easier (though not necessarily cheaper) to use an oil filled radiator to keep the room temp up if space in the viv is limited. This is what I did over last winter in one of our sheds.