I need heating ideas pleaseeeeee!!!!

[TheTortoiseWhisperer]

A couple of days ago I was sadden because my enclosure didn't seem to be good enough for the rescue place that I'm trying to adopt my hopefully soon to be Sulcatas but thanks to a lot of good advise from all of you I realized that my "Tortoise Vocabulary" was problem #1 so I caused a bit of misunderstanding between them and me butttttttttttt I'm still not approved, I have to get a heater in the enclosure and I was hoping you guys can give me a couple of suggestions. PLEASE!!!!

 

[chester tortoiseson]

You could use a heat emitter.

 

[TheTortoiseWhisperer]

You could use a heat emitter.

Hi Chester……I know that that's what I need, I guess I should have been more specific with my question…..I'm hoping someone can recommend which of many choices works the best. :shy:

 

[mightymizz]

Well there are different ways of producing heat. Some use heat bulbs, others use a Cermaic Heat Emitter (CHE).

I have used the Zoo Med line of heat emitters personally and dont have any complaints. Just make sure you use the ceramic/porcelain socket so that the heat emitter doesn't melt it like it could easily do with a plastic socket.

Also, just make sure you have a way to monitor how hot the area is under the CHE as they get quite hot themselves.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

A ceramic heat emitter (CHE) is probably your best bet. I have used ZooMed and PetsMart brand (All Living Things) so far with no complaints. Back in the day (15+ yrs ago), I had one for my ball python cage. I can't recall the brand, but the thing lasted over 5 years. Overall, they are good products if used in the right fixture (as MightyMizz said) and well worth the extra cost. You HAVE to use a fixture with a ceramic/porcelain socket; these can be found easily at Lowe's. Home Depot and/or Walmart.

If it is a small tortoise under 6-7" or so, you could use a Mercury vapor Bulb (MVB), but its not my preferred heating arrangement, since one cannot run these at night. However, if the temperatures in your house do not run below 75'F, this may not be an issue.

 

[EKLC]

Where is the enclosure?
Is it insulated?
How big is it?
What are the lowest temps you expect?

 

[Edna]

This is for large tortoises in an outdoor enclosure. The Kane pig mats are rugged and used for many outdoor sulcatas.


http://www.bigappleherp.com/Kane-Heat-Mats_2

 

[mightymizz]

Oh, I guess I totally missed the outdoor part!

 

[Tom]

I have tried them all and used every type over the years.

I have found the best method for what you are using it for is the radiant oil heaters. I use it only on the lowest setting of 500-600 watts, and I turn the hokey thermostat on the actual heater all the way up, BUT use my own thermostat to control the temperature. The great thing is that they are very efficient and continue giving heat for a long time even after the thermostat kicks it off. In a well insulated enclosure, they only click on two or three times even on a freezing night. I like these for larger tortoises especially, because they heat all the air, not just one spot. I worry about CHEs in this application because they creat a really hot spot right under the bulb, but the air and everything else in there can still be too cool. This can lead to damage and burning on the top of the carapace while the air is still too cold.

Here's an example of what I mean:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-Mother-of-All-Tortoise-Boxes#axzz23RggFcyI