CHE not hot enough

[Azrt]

Ok so my setup is the 20 gal long tank. I have a screen lid and some is covered to maintain heat. I'm using a tstat and a 100 watt CHE. Tstat is set for 90 but that reaches about 86 and the the thermometer reads 88 and no higher....after 8-9 hrs. I'm assuming I need a 150 watt CHE or just go UTH? If I go UTH what size?

[dannybgoode]

A 100W che should be good enough for what's roughly the equivalent of a 55g enclosure. Where is the probe?

[Azrt]

Directly below the source. I have the probe for the thermometer and stat right beside each other. Doesn't make sense.


Never had this issue but haven't used a glass tank in probably 7-10 yrs. lol

Cool side is fine at 80

[Azrt]

Tried to edit but I couldn't. I'm using the CHE alone without the Tstat and currently temps are at 88 and closely climbing. Maybe I need to set the tstat in the mid 90's to achieve my temps?

[dannybgoode]

You need to move your probe. I did a write up of how to set up a che in a viv. Ignore my rant about heat mats - they're a particularly hatred of mine :)

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/111433-how-properly-place-thermostat-probe-snake-viv.html

[akane]

20 long.... that is not equal to a 55 at all given the massive height difference and you'll really heat things directly under a 100w while it's on with the short height which could be your problem that it's spot heating too much. A 100w should be more than enough. Especially if you hold some of the heat in the ends. I can get that in a 20long with a 50w bulb. I'd say there's a problem with how you are placing it and the probe or the thermostat. Like I said the spread might be so small with the height and the high wattage bulb you are spot heating directly under the bulb and shutting it off. Without a thermostat I could read 90F to half way across my tank, higher under the bulb, with the bulb shoved all the way to one edge and I don't even want that hot with like I said a 50w.

[dannybgoode]

20 long.... that is not equal to a 55 at all given the massive height difference and you'll really heat things directly under a 100w while it's on with the short height which could be your problem that it's spot heating too much. A 100w should be more than enough. Especially if you hold some of the heat in the ends. I can get that in a 20long with a 50w bulb. I'd say there's a problem with how you are placing it and the probe or the thermostat. Like I said the spread might be so small with the height and the high wattage bulb you are spot heating directly under the bulb and shutting it off. Without a thermostat I could read 90F to half way across my tank, higher under the bulb, with the bulb shoved all the way to one edge and I don't even want that hot with like I said a 50w.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean a 20g was equivalent of a 55g. I heat the equivalent of a 55g with a 100W che. The reason I said equivalent to is we don't use volume when describing viv sizes in Europe.

[akane]

It's not so much the volume as the height. 21" up is going to get you a completely different spread than 12" up and the space directly under it will not get the same heat due to concentration. A 20long is also 30 rather than 48" long so you need less spread anyway. I have trouble getting a 100w che to heat half my 55 enough actually. I had to shove the edge of the 8" reflector to the center brace and then put 12" square of slate tile on either end so the hot is fully held in since it nearly reaches the reflector and the far end is slightly contained. My house is 68F most of the time though with occasionally 66 as the lowest.

[Azrt]

yeas it finally got up to 88 when I moved the probe. I have always had bigger enclosures in the past and used radiant heat panels. I am in search of buying baby columbian or suriname and I'm assuming this 20 gal will be fine for a little while