Ceramic Heat Emitters are probably the second most common type of heating in the vivarium. They work by giving out invisible long wave Infra red, so heating not only the reptile and furniture but the ambient air unlike Heat Mats. ValueAquatics sell the Exo Terra Heat Wave heat Emitter lamps that come in five Wattages making them suitable for most vivariums and set-ups from dry desert to moist (not wet) forest set ups. Ceramic Heat Emitters are excellent at creating a hot or basking spot. As in nature giving heat from above making the reptile feel more at home as it would in the wild. This is why ValueAquatics also recommends the use of a UV light source such as the Exo Terra Repti Glo Compact Fluorescent bulbs so creating a more natural light with heat from above.

There is no real rule as to which Ceramic Heater to use as it all depends on vivarium size and what temperature range you require and basking spot temperature. So as a rule of thumb for general use of heating the vivarium to 85°F at the basking spot (heater end) and approximately 70-75°F at the cool end I would suggest the following.

PT2044 40watt Ceramic Heater for a 24”x12”x12” Vivarium.
PT2045 60watt Ceramic Heater for a 30” to 36”x12”x12” Vivarium
PT2046 100watt Ceramic Heater for a 48”x12X12 Vivarium
PT2047 150watt Ceramic Heater for a 60”x24”x24” Vivarium
PT2048 250watt Ceramic Heater for a 60” to 72”x24”x24” Vivarium

Always use with a Pulse Proportional thermostat otherwise they will be heating to their maximum output. This is dangerous as Ceramic heat emitters get very hot and require a thermostat. It will also greatly shorten the life of the ceramic heater if it is just left running not to mention the cost.

Some reptiles like Uromastyx will require a higher basking spot so I would then recommend that you go for the 150w or 250w ceramic.

When fitting the ceramic heat emitters into the vivarium a few rules need to be adhered to.

1. Only use ceramic fittings like the Arcadia or the Komodo ceramic lamp fixture
2. Make sure that the cable is heat resistant cable as in the Arcadia and Komodo fixtures.
3. All ceramic heat emitters are Edison screw fitting as in the Arcadia and Komodo. NOT bayonet fitting.
4. Use a guard specifically designed for the purpose. These heaters get extremely hot
5. We recommend that a minimum distance of 40cm from the reptile
6. Always use a pulse Proportional Thermostat similar to the Habistat Pulse Proportional or the day night model.
7. Not to be used where there is a lot of Moisture as in Turtle or Amphibian set-ups

John
www.valueaquatics.co.uk

What is the best method of heating my vivarium?

Wish I had a pound for every time I have been asked this.

The most commonly used method of heating a Vivarium or Terrarium is with Heat Mats, they come in different sizes and wattages. The bigger the Heat Mat the higher the wattage.

Heat Mats come in two types the square or oblong types for vivariums and Terrariums and the long Heat Strips that are used for heating a row of smaller containers and small plastic tanks usually holding hatchling snakes or tarantulas.

Heat mats work by emitting invisible ultra long wavelength infra red heat which heats the animal and furnishings, rather than the air which can remain quite cold if the room it is in is cold.

Though saying this heat mats do get warm and the animal can lie under or on top of the mat. I find it best to tape the mats down or onto the vivarium floor or back wall with masking tape. Do not use any other type of tape as they are difficult to remove from the animal if it gets entangled in it. Or place a piece of slate on top of it if on the floor of the vivarium.

Do not place too much substrate on top of heat mats, no more than 37mm (1.5”), or cork bark as they will reflect a lot of the Infra Red back into the heat mat causing hot spots in the heat mat.

Under normal usage heat mats are perfectly safe giving off a gentle heat, though accidents happen and I have seen a couple of heat mats where the plastic outer envelope has melted and in one case actually caught fire. So ValueAquatics recommend the use of a thermostat with heat mats.

For all glass Vivariums and Terrariums like the popular Exo Terra range of Terrariums the heat mats should be placed under or on the outer wall or walls. Exo Terra make two types of heat mats for these the Rainforest Heat Mat and the Desert Heatmat both come in three sizes available from ValueAquatics. The Rainforest Heat Mat gives out a very gentle heat simulating the rainforest and the desert Heatmat give out a more heat simulating the heat of the desert. Both types are Self-adhesive making them easy to install to the outside glass base or wall of the Terrariums.

Do not use them where there is excessive moisture, they are not waterproof.

• Safe to use
• Gentle heat
• Not intrusive
• Easy to clean
• Low maintenance
• Inexpensive

ValuAquatics Recommended Thermostats for heat mats, Habistat mat stat Komodo habitat stat

 John

www.ValueAquatics.co.uk