What is the proper wattage for a CHE in a 4'wx2'dx17"t melamine cage?

[Theleveler]

Hi guys,

I've been using a 150 watt CHE for my 4 foot by 2 foot by 17" tall melamine "critter condo" type cage that my 6 foot adult boa lives (sleeps and eats) in. I find that the thermostat is off roughly 50% of the time on warmer days , which makes me concerned about possible thermostat failures that would stick in the ON state. Should I be using a 100 watt ceramic instead? I'm using Eco earth, if that matters. Temp and humidity targets are very stable now (78coldside-88hotside-92hotspot; 60-80%humidity depending on shed cycle).

I'm planning to build her a bigger cage in the future with something fancy like RHPs, but for now I'm stuck with CHEs.

Thanks!

[IW17]

Honestly any che could cause problems with a thermostat failure. Unfortunately that's just always a possibility. I always go bigger with my che's because the larger they are the less hard they have to work to heat the enclosure.

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Theleveler

Hi guys,

I've been using a 150 watt CHE for my 4 foot by 2 foot by 17" tall melamine "critter condo" type cage that my 6 foot adult boa lives (sleeps and eats) in. I find that the thermostat is off roughly 50% of the time on warmer days , which makes me concerned about possible thermostat failures that would stick in the ON state. Should I be using a 100 watt ceramic instead? I'm using Eco earth, if that matters. Temp and humidity targets are very stable now (78coldside-88hotside-92hotspot; 60-80%humidity depending on shed cycle).

I'm planning to build her a bigger cage in the future with something fancy like RHPs, but for now I'm stuck with CHEs.

Thanks!

Hey and Welcome! Yeah a RHP is the ticket!

80 watt RHP would work nicely!
Reptile Basics 80 Watt Radiant Heat Panel - Reptile Basics Inc

[MCB]

Hi

I'd go with what Steve said above, when I started out I used ceramics and quickly moved on to panels. But if you do stick with them I'd go a higher wattage, flip side to that is they're not supposed to last as long?

[Sublimeballs]

Everyone has given great advice so far. What kind of thermostat are you using?

I would like to add my 2 cents on how great RHPs are. I've only got 2 80watts and a 40 watt, and couldn't be happier with them. Best means of heat in my opinion. I'd just go ahead and get an 80 watt if I were you; depending on the demensions of the cage you're planning on building(should be fine for a 6x2.5) it might work for it aswell.

[Lankyrob]

Retry certain that thermostats are designed to fail "off". It is possible I guess that in extreme circumstances a fault could get it to stick on but I don't worry about it with mine.

[Theleveler]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm gonna look into those heat panels!