heating issues!!!

bling6969 on January 13th 2010, 11:39 am

can anyone recommend what is the best plan of action for me.
at the minute we have a zoozone 2 with a 11" x 28" heat mat in the bottom of the cage covered in finacard. The heat mat is attached to a thermostat but even without the thermostat the cage doesnt appear to warm up very much at all maybe only 2-3 degrees warmer than the room itself. At night the room gets very cold and because it is large heating the whole room is not possible. Therefore i am having to heat a nuggle safe before bed time and then get up in the middle of the night to pop the heating on for a few hours. Why willt he heat mat not just warm the cage to 22 when it is supposed to heat lizards up much higher surely.
thanks people

dexnos on January 13th 2010, 11:59 am

I'm afraid the heat mats are really no good for hedgies esp when using a zoo zone.

Put loads of extra fina card in his bedding area so he can literally cover himself in it

Keep using the heat mat maybe invest in an extra one .

As u only have one hedgie you could buy a red heat bulb and thermostat controller (u prob already have on of these for ur mat) also a stand a little like a lamp stand but these are made for heat lamps and position it over the Zoo Zone.

Also look at the below thread but if using one of these petnaps you will not be able to use th Fina card inside the bedding area . He will of course buts in thats OK

http://www.pygmyhogsuk.com/environmental-enrichment-f8/best-heating-for-a-viv-stack-t7082.htm

bling6969 on January 13th 2010, 12:25 pm

she has a nice big snuggle pouch as well so she is cosy in bed its just when shes out playing in her cage im worried shes cold. The heat mat covers pretty much the entire cage, so there is no room for another one. I was under the impression that lamps were a no go!

dexnos on January 13th 2010, 12:41 pm

The lamps are fine if used correctly, eg not attached to the zoo zone but to the stand . I would still use a guard over the bulb stand . The bulb is attached to a thermostat, the prob inside the zoo zone as with the mat

http://www.petco.com/product/5011/Zoo-Med-Reptile-Lamp-Stand.aspx

This way u are able to direct the heat were u want it to be e.g middle of zoo zone without the risk of chewed wires or your hedgie burning him/herself

dexnos on January 13th 2010, 12:44 pm

http://www.petco.com/product/5003/Zoo-Med-Repticare-Ceramic-Infrared-Heat-Emitters.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-productdetail_3-_-Zoo%20Med%20Repticare%20Ceramic%20Infrared%20Heat%20Emitters-5003#BVRRWidgetID

this does not generate light just heat, if you read the reviews one person uses it for her guinea pigs

As my babies are hopefully due end of Jan and im concerned about falling temps , I'm going to invest in this for over my Zoo Zone as I will have to remove my petnap pad

dexnos on January 13th 2010, 1:18 pm

UK suplier http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue/lamp-holders-stands.asp Small Reptile Lamp Stand LF-21 : Max Height 61cm (24") : Max Length 30.5cm (12") Large Reptile Lamp Stand LF-20 : Max Height 91.4cm (36") : Max Length 38.1cm (15") Light fixtures and light bulbs are not included

Zoo Med LF-21 Reptile Lamp Stand Small £20.99
Zoo Med LF-20 Reptile Lamp Stand Large £32.99

SpellColl on March 1st 2010, 5:12 pm

Sorry if this is a stupid question - but if I get the ceramic bulb and the stand recommended in this thread, is that all I need to set it up? My hoglet has a homemade viv, so where would I attach everything so that she doesn't touch the bulb?

I've never done this before so want to make sure I have everything I need.

Thanks!

dexnos on March 1st 2010, 5:29 pm

Hi I wouldn't reccomend the above set up with a viv, its more suited to a Zoo zone

The below is great though. VERY cheap to run , so much so my heating bill hs been halved. Swalec owed me money

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4151010.htm

Heating the overall environmental room temp is more benificial to your hedgie.

However if you cant do this it may still be poss to use the ceramic heater but in a different way.

how warm is your hse

karen on March 1st 2010, 7:26 pm

Touch wood...... All but one of mine are fine, so for the one that isnt I was thinking of getting a ceramic or one of these (& stat of course)

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-heating-equipment-414/heat-mats-450/habistat-reptile-radiator-26225.html

setting it on a simple on off stat to come on only when the temp dropped to say 22