Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking about experimenting with one as a heat source. How long can one expect a ceramic to last? As well, I'll be using it to heat a Rubbermaid approx. the size of a 20 long. Need hot spot of 88-92. What wattage would be appropriate?
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I've had them stop working in as little as 6-8 weeks. I've also got a couple going that are 12 -18 months old. I've found a lot of inconsistency in how long they last. I'm not sure about using them to heat a rubbermaid. You should definately use a thermostat.

I've got a digital thermometer with probe. I just don't want to go buy a 20 Watt and find out I need a 60.
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I would go with a 150 watt and with the use of your thermostat it will control any "overpowering" you might have... Or you can also use a T-Rex safe heat, they are 60 watts but put off more heat then a 150 watt emitter AND will not burn you
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Professional Reptile Heating Supplies

Posted by: justcage at Sun Dec 4 13:52:24 2005 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I would go with a 150 watt and with the use of your thermostat it will control any "overpowering" you might have... Or you can also use a T-Rex safe heat, they are 60 watts but put off more heat then a 150 watt emitter AND will not burn you
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I saw that recently advertised have you used one yourself ? . It looked promising .

I hae several in use now.. They work great and I was impressed at the output... and I am hard to impress when it comes to heating..lol
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Posted by: justcage at Sun Dec 4 18:51:43 2005 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I hae several in use now.. They work great and I was impressed at the output... and I am hard to impress when it comes to heating..lol
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Do they give off any light ? is it a type of heat like incandescent ? I thought it was to good to be true when I first saw the ad. Heat like 150 watts but only 60 watts.
I now use ceramic heat emitter for my lizards but this is certainly something I like for the future.
You can use it in a standard ceramic socket style dome?
I saw it advertised in the $30s but certainly worth it if its as ad states.
thanks
Luis

You probabaly actually saw my ad..lol.. They produse no light and yes they can be used in any dome lamp.. I ran one for an hour when I first got them in and then just grapped it and unscrewed it.. No burns.. I know i have been fried with normal che's before
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Thanks for the info it sounded to good to be true guess its for real. I imagine it will replace most non light giving types of bulbs.

I've experimented with ceramic heat emitters in all sorts of situations. As far as the snakes doing well, I have only positive things to say. The heat produced seems to elevate the snake's internal body temp, making it very beneficial. I've tried it on boas, pythons and colubrids with success.

One drawback is the very high temp of the heater surface, which means you must have a screen barrier between the element and the animal. The hot surface of the bulb can burn you too, so be careful. I had to discontinue use because my 2 year-old son reached for the aluminum dome with a ceramic in it. I stopped him in time fortunately. The dome is not as hot as the bulb, but the situation made me realize the potential for injury.

I never have had a ceramic element burn out yet, after 5 years so far. Also, a 60 watt bulb will heat a good area in a cage that is 18 inches high or less.

I use pearlco and very happy with it. So far running 24/7 for 4 months . Get a temp controller like a lamp dimmer or if you want the reptile type sold.
They give off WAY MORE heat than reg same watt incandescent bulb. Its a drying heat.
I use mine for lizards but other than amphibians,reptiles that need humidity it would work great. Gives no light at all but lots heat.

Maybe longer. Used 24/7 for a couple of years and has also seen a few years use in an on/off situation which is supposed to shorten the lifespan. It's also survived a couple of long moves without any special packing.

I have heard good and bad about other brands but only good about pearlco which is why I got it.