What size Big Apple Ceramic Heat Emitter would be best to heat a 2'x3'x4' wood cage with Plexiglas door for an Irian Jaya (about 78 degrees, I'm told)? The 60-Watt, 100-Watt, 150...etc.?
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Chuck
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Heat Emitter Size
ImantodesCenchoa
Dec 05, 2003 05:06 PM
Replies (1)
markg
Dec 05, 2003 05:50 PM
I have a 3ft x 2ft x 23in (LxDxH) cage with a 60 Watt ceramic mounted inside the cage. On a branch about 1ft up from the bottom, I measure 90 deg easily with the heater not on full power. The heated area is about like an 8-inch diameter circle there, roughly. The rest of the cage is noticeably warmer than the room air temp.
The point is, a 60 Watt does the job easily in a cage about 1/2 the height as yours (am I right in saying your cage is 4ft high?) I'd say go more than 60 Watt. Probably the 100 Watt would be good. Probably. IMO. Perhaps. Maybe. Those 150 Watts get darn hot. I just can't see the need for that. I bet even 100 Watt is overkill, but they don't make 80 Watters..
Make sure you use a guard (Big Apple sells them too) 'cause those ceramics get blazing hot to the touch. Also, use a dimmer, thermostat or controller to make sure you don't overheat. Ranco, Big Apple Proportional, Helix, even a lamp dimmer - any will work. In this case, the proportional controllers (Big Apple or Helix) would provide the tightest control. In a large cage though where the animal has room to escape the heat, a dimmer can work for you. The Ranco is a great choice for relatively low cost and lots of safety.
