What size CHE for 40 gal?

[DinoTheDinosaur]

Just need to know what wattage of CHE i would need for my 40 gal tank. Temps go down at night and he goes a dark color. I have the red lamp but am hesitant to using it. Thanks!

 

[chickcasa]

You do not need a CHE unless the temperature goes below 65 F at night. It is normal for them to turn darker when they cool off at night, and isn't bad for them.

~Katy

 

[DinoTheDinosaur]

Oh okay, yeah he goes pretty dark, most mornings he perks up and lightens up after his other lights turn on, but this morning it took him forever to lighten up. He did just shed though so I wonder if he's still grumpy from that. For the winter though, I will need a CHE, still need to what wattage, thanks!

 

[diamc]

I use a 60 watt CHE in my 40 gallon breeder. You want it warm in the winter but not too hot so I have had good luck with the 60 watt. Amazon has quite a few CHE's at a reasonable price: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21/186-4561250-4585824?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ceramic+heat+emitters&sprefix=ceramic+heat+emitters%2Caps%2C183

 

[DinoTheDinosaur]

Thanks I was looking at the back of the boxes today and they mention how many degrees to distance and I think the 100 W sounded like it would put out too much heat.It's not like my place goes that cold, so having a little 60 W to make sure it don't drop down too far. I don't believe they are able to go onto dimmer switches though right?

 

[diamc]

No, you shouldn't use a dimmer on a CHE. A 60 watt should be fine on that sized tank. Better to have beardies a little cooler while sleeping rather than being too hot.

 

[DinoTheDinosaur]

So last night, I left the red lamp off and checked on the temps before bed and they were fine and then again this morning around 6:30 and they were at 67. It's getting quite cool out in the nights but not quite cool enough to turn my heat on at night. I hate having the red lamp, I know it can bother him but I have to wait a bit to get a CHE. Also, I read that they can't go into the deep domes? Is that true? We have a deep dome from our reptiglo compact light that came with him (we've switched out to Reptisun 10.0 tube) and was just going to use that for the CHE but now I'm not sure I can. Does anyone know why? Thanks in advance!

 

[Hulke]

Did you ever find out why it can't go in the deep dome? I was planning on doing the same, guess I won't now.

 

[diamc]

I use CHE's in deep domes with a ceramic top and have never had a problem. In fact, I never heard that the deep domes couldn't be used with them. The only thing that could be affected as far as I know is that since the dome is deep, the heat from the CHE may not be quite as strong as it would be with a ceramic top clamp lamp.