Heating Element

AzAngel

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Jun 17, 2015
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Queen Creek, Arizona
Hello fellow tort lovers,

I am working on Bowsers new outdoor winter enclosure and I was trying to figure out how everyone heats their torts outdoor enclosures. Any recommendations?

I live in the desert in Arizona so I don't need anything super powerful, just enough to keep it warm at night. I would love to see what you all use. Thank you in advance

Michelle
 

Yvonne G

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A lot of members don't agree, but I use a 250 watt red brooder bulb hanging from the ceilings in my sheds. The bulb is at least 4' from the floor. It warms up the inside of the shed nicely, and because I only use it at night, and my tortoises sleep at night, it doesn't bother them.

On smaller habitats like plastic totes, I use a black incandescent bulb at night. This is similar to moonlight.
 

Tom

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Its not really a question of power, its a question of efficiency. Using a well insulated night box will allow you to use a lot less electricity and have a much more stable temperatures. Electric heat can really desiccate their growing carapace, so the less you use, the better. Over head incandescent bulbs and CHEs are frequent carapace burners in larger tortoises. Yvonne uses hers correctly and carefully, but I've seen a lot of carapaces that were "slow burnt". I feel there are better, safer options.

Here are some examples of different good ways to go:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/
 
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