I want to heat a large storage bin so that the daytime highs is at 85 and the nighttime low is 69, but how do I do this? I've been thinking of using a helix thermostat, but what should I use as a heater? Thanks in advance.
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Looking to heat a large container, but how?
ram
Feb 25, 2005 12:40 PM
Replies (3)
bikedoc
Feb 27, 2005 10:09 AM
That depends on many factors. What is the container made of? What should the humidity be like? Is there any water in the container?
If you can describe the container I'm sure we can help. I do this kind of thing frequently!
ram
Feb 28, 2005 07:23 PM
It will probably a large homebuilt enclosure, made out of plastic. Humidity will be from 60-100%.
bikedoc
Mar 02, 2005 07:59 AM
Plastic containers are difficult to heat. Normally you can get a stick-on surface heater (for a glass or metal enclosure) but that isn't really safe for plastics.
If you have a significant amout of water in the enclosure, then you could use a submersible aquarium heater. They are inexpensive and usually have a built-in temperature control.
If you don't have any (or little) water then the only suggestions I have are heat lamps or "hot rocks". Some species could be burned by a hot rock (E.g. many kinds of frogs), but you can always put a protective screen around it, made out of 1/4" metal mesh from a hardware store. That way the "rock" still heats, but critters can't touch it directly.
