goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 16, 2006 10:13:53 GMT
Anyone use these? Have a red lightbulb for the tigers at the mo but the brothel effect is slightly annoying ;D. Was thinking max 60w but would I need a thermostat for this? I have a zoo med reflector over the tank at the mo with the red bulb - heat mats just weren't efficient enough for my liking.
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Post by copigeon on Oct 18, 2006 15:57:02 GMT
Im pricing up at the moment for a setup for the Megas. Which will involve the use of one of these ceramic heaters and a day/night pulse thermostat.
A ceramic heater would be far more efficent at heating the ambient air temperature, so I doubt you will get away with not using a thermostat. (especially in a small tank).
Heatmats are far less efficent so often a thermostat can be neglected.
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 8:48:23 GMT
Thanks copigeon - have managed to get a 60w ceramic bulb cheaply from ebay from a company called Vulcan Refractories Limited - its was £8.00 - I think they are ReptiDirect on ebay. Still scouring ebay for a thermostat - they are pretty pricey though it seems, will probably stick with a simple on/off one with a temperature dial. Not sure exactly how you integrate them to the lamp though - do you have to wire the lamp into them or something? I am going to try the bulb without the thermostat at the weekend when I can monitor the temperature properly - the lamp is over the mesh top of the tank so I can raise or lower it to alter the heat in the tank to a certain extent though once I have a thermostat that will be much better I think. In the meantime I won't leave the bulb on for long periods of time.
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Post by Tigs on Oct 19, 2006 8:57:56 GMT
Iv been watching the Thermostats on Ebay and there seems to be a few bargains but i agree they are generally quite expensive. Is it worth paying the extra for Habistat ones?
I ordered a Algarde one which was only a Fiver inc P&P but to tell the truth it seems too cheap.
Any suggestions for setting up the heaters on a glass tank with a Viv lid?
Tigs
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Post by copigeon on Oct 19, 2006 9:24:24 GMT
The habistat thermostats you just plug the heaters mains lead into, no need for wiring.
The thermostats are high priced, but then its specialist equiptment. The on off thermostats start at about £15 (not habistat). And would be enough.
Only reason Im going for the pulse day/night is to try and replicate an environment as close as possible. Theyre insanely expensive though.
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 10:20:23 GMT
Hmm I saw the Algarde ones - I wasn't sure either - have you tried it out yet Tigs? Copigeon - I agree the pulse day/night ones would be ideal - particularly to replicate natural conditions and improve breeding success with some species.
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Post by Tigs on Oct 19, 2006 11:27:56 GMT
It hasnt arrived yet (Being sent 2nd class) but i will let you know as soon as it does ;D
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Post by deadmansfinger on Oct 19, 2006 12:50:26 GMT
I used ceramic bulbs and habitat thermostats for years with my reptiles. I have had the single thermostats, double and the pulse day/night one all of which are fantastic.
Please remember ceramic bulbs get VERY hot and I feel these would dry out a snail tank in no time at all.
DO NOT use the ceramic bulb without the thermostat, even a 60watt one will cook a medium sized tank if left on continuously.
Also be careful with the mesh that the snails cannot get their eyes though the mesh and come into contact with the bulb.
These are fantastic bulbs but I really don't think they are suitable for use with snails, the heat the give off is phenominal.
Brian.
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Post by deadmansfinger on Oct 19, 2006 12:53:27 GMT
Iv been watching the Thermostats on Ebay and there seems to be a few bargains but i agree they are generally quite expensive. Is it worth paying the extra for Habistat ones? I ordered a Algarde one which was only a Fiver inc P&P but to tell the truth it seems too cheap. Any suggestions for setting up the heaters on a glass tank with a Viv lid? Tigs I would definately say it is worth paying extra for the habitat ones, you simply cannot take the risk if using ceramic bulbs that your thermostat might be ineffective or fail. It does come down to "you get what you pay for" and if something seems too good to be true then it probably is. Brian. |
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 13:11:58 GMT
OK thanks for the advice Brian. I think there is a sad lack of snail friendly heating equipment! Moracai and I were saying on another thread we need a heat and humidity combined device - any DIY ers out there get your thinking caps on and manufacture - there is a niche in the market there! Anything out there designed for tropical amphibians may be. The mesh is v v small guage - no chance of an eye getting through that, but I take on board what you are saying. Tigers will just have to stay in their brothel! although even that isn't ideal heat wise. Our house is quite cold and the bulb is only getting the tank to 23 max.
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Post by copigeon on Oct 19, 2006 14:03:01 GMT
The flowerpot heater is just that, a humidfier and a heater in one. But its not ideal for small tanks due to the size of flowerpot.
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 14:19:47 GMT
Hmmm I know I had a look at that - brilliant except I don't have half the equipment needed to build one and to buy it all would cost more than the humidifier parts themselves. The tank is 60 by 45 by 45 cms would it be too big for that then? Also doesn't the flower pot get hot like the ceramic bulb?
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Post by deadmansfinger on Oct 19, 2006 14:55:21 GMT
Also doesn't the flower pot get hot like the ceramic bulb? no as I have saw ceramic heaters actually glowing red hot. I think until you actually feel the heat from these things you wont understand how powerful they are and they can be deceptive since they emit no light. I also rescued a lizard once that had had its tail almost burnt right through by touching a ceramic heater. Brian. |
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 15:21:33 GMT
OK - I understand its a bad idea with the ceramic bulb - If just a 60 watt gets that hot I couldn't leave it untended with my cats around anyway. So anyone out there want to manufacture flower pot/heater humidifiers? New classifieds thread maybe?!
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Oct 19, 2006 15:31:48 GMT
I wouldn't mind making you one,but you have to fix your own plug as ours don't fit over there.
Flowerpots can get hot too which is why you have to use a low wattage lamp and large enough pot.Takes a bit of testing really....
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 15:44:58 GMT
Thats very kind Arno - I could fix the plug fine but I really don't know what to suggest about size of pot etc. The tank is 60 x 45 x 45 cms and I need the temperature to stay 26 degrees c or thereabouts - would the flowerpot alone keep the tank that warm do you think and would it need to be so big the snails would have no room elsewhere?
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Oct 19, 2006 15:57:08 GMT
I have a tank just in that size so will test that and see which temperature it will stay at.The pot wouldn't have to huge,and remember that there's always the waterdish on top which snails can use.
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goose
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 311
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Post by goose on Oct 19, 2006 18:43:39 GMT
Brilliant I would be very grateful if you could let me know how you get on Arno. Fingers crossed this is the solution because this heat humidity thing is really bothering me now. I really want to get it right for the snails.
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Post by hic on Oct 19, 2006 21:50:50 GMT
is there a guide to making one of these?
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Oct 19, 2006 22:23:13 GMT
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