Heating and lighting? Best products to buy?

[NewHedgieOwner100]

I am looking into purchasing artificial light and a heater for my hedgie: I live in FL so it is relatively warm year around but I still would like to get some source of heat for the winter just in case. My house is always at 79 degrees.

What type of heater would you recommend? I would like something that will heat the cage, not the whole room. Would something like this work? http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=rept..._id%3D36-14777
The available watts available are 60w, 100w, and 150w.

I have a C&C cage, will the metal coating melt?

I also would like to purchase a thermostat, would this work?

Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer:Amazon:Pet Supplies

Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer:Amazon:Pet Supplies

As for lighting, I found a lamp at Target that I think would work- http://m.target.com/p/room-essential...734#next-image
Should I position it right over the cage?

Sorry for so many questions! :-p

[lilsurfergrlsp]

That ceramic heat emitter is fine. How big is your C&C cage? Even if it's only 2x2, I would use the 100 watt bulb, especially since you live in Florida so it won't get too cold (hopefully - I heard it snowed there this past winter though? Crazy!).

Also, I don't have personal experience with that thermostat, but I've seen other owners on here using it. The one I use is the 500 watt zilla temperature controller, and it works great. I would put a link to it but I'm on mobile.

And lastly, that lamp would probably be okay, except for the colored lamps. Could you find one that's all white? Just because the colors probably won't provide the proper lighting for the hedgehog. And since that lamp has multiple bulbs, I wouldn't put it directly over the cage as it might be too bright. Just a regular floor lamp would be okay too

[NewHedgieOwner100]

Originally Posted by lilsurfergrlsp

That ceramic heat emitter is fine. How big is your C&C cage? Even if it's only 2x2, I would use the 100 watt bulb, especially since you live in Florida so it won't get too cold (hopefully - I heard it snowed there this past winter though? Crazy!).

Also, I don't have personal experience with that thermostat, but I've seen other owners on here using it. The one I use is the 500 watt zilla temperature controller, and it works great. I would put a link to it but I'm on mobile.

And lastly, that lamp would probably be okay, except for the colored lamps. Could you find one that's all white? Just because the colors probably won't provide the proper lighting for the hedgehog. And since that lamp has multiple bulbs, I wouldn't put it directly over the cage as it might be too bright. Just a regular floor lamp would be okay too

The cage is 4x2 (4 squares long, 2 squares wide) but I have 2 hedgehogs so I split it down the middle. So they each have 2 1/2 squares long. Should I purchase 2 heaters?
Last winter was horrible! Way too cold for my taste! Haha!

I will take a look at the thermostat you use and I can probably find a regular floor lamp.

Thanks!

[lilsurfergrlsp]

Yup, if you're splitting the cage for two hedgehogs, I would definitely get two heat lamps, one for each side. Also, if you choose to go with the zilla temperature controller that I recommend, I would get the 1000 watt one, because it can control two heat lamps. That way you don't have to buy two different thermostats

[NewHedgieOwner100]

Alright, thanks!

[nikki]

Don't forget you also needs a fixture for each heat emmitter

[NewHedgieOwner100]

Originally Posted by nikki

Don't forget you also needs a fixture for each heat emmitter

Could you please provide a link to where I could find one? Thanks!

[lilsurfergrlsp]

I'm assuming that nikki is talking about the actual heat lamps, what you screw the ceramic heat emitter bulb into, so here are a couple options:

Heat lamp with a 10-inch dome:
http://amzn.com/B0002DIWWS

Heat lamp with an 8.5-inch dome:
http://amzn.com/B0002AQCXM

Here's another option for a 10-inch dome, it's cheaper but the reviews aren't that great. Personally, I've used this one and it's been better than the ones above, but apparently the clamp isn't very good so unless you're just placing it right on top of your cage, I wouldn't suggest it:
http://amzn.com/B0061MZ4Q6

All heat lamps will have cross-wires that you would attach to the front to catch the bulb if it falls out. However, I don't think many owners use these because they put the lamp at a weird angle if you want to just place it right on top of the cage. That's only recommended if you have a wire top though.

[NewHedgieOwner100]

Originally Posted by lilsurfergrlsp

I'm assuming that nikki is talking about the actual heat lamps, what you screw the ceramic heat emitter bulb into, so here are a couple options:

Heat lamp with a 10-inch dome:
http://amzn.com/B0002DIWWS

Heat lamp with an 8.5-inch dome:
http://amzn.com/B0002AQCXM

Here's another option for a 10-inch dome, it's cheaper but the reviews aren't that great. Personally, I've used this one and it's been better than the ones above, but apparently the clamp isn't very good so unless you're just placing it right on top of your cage, I wouldn't suggest it:
http://amzn.com/B0061MZ4Q6

All heat lamps will have cross-wires that you would attach to the front to catch the bulb if it falls out. However, I don't think many owners use these because they put the lamp at a weird angle if you want to just place it right on top of the cage. That's only recommended if you have a wire top though.

Alright, thanks! I think I am going to purchase this one-

Zoo Med Deluxe Porcelain Clamp Lamp with 10-Inch Dome, Black:Amazon:Pet Supplies

Zoo Med Deluxe Porcelain Clamp Lamp with 10-Inch Dome, Black:Amazon:Pet Supplies

or this one- http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=reptile%2Fheating-lighting%2Fall-living-things-reptile-ceramic-heat-emitter-zid36-14777%2Fcat-36-catid-500011%3Fvar_id%3D36-14777I am going to create a top on my C&C cage and place it on top. Would that work?

[lilsurfergrlsp]

Unfortunately I can't see a link to the second option that you put, but the Zoo Med 10 inch lamp works great! I would definitely go with that one. And it's fine to put the lamp directly on top, as long as it's not touching any plastic (could melt) or fabric, like if you want to cover the cage with fleece (fire hazard).