[FluffyHedgehog]

I have a CHE in my vivarium for my hedgehog. It is high enough so he cant reach it even if he climbs on his toys and house. I have had some people tell me that heat mats are better than CHEs as CHEs can cause cancer (im not sure if this is right) but heat mats only heat a small area, his viv is 4ft long but looking to get a bigger one soon so i thought id ask others opinions, what is the best heat source for wooden vivariums?

 

[Draenog]

A CHE is a better heat source since it heats the air not just the floor in one area. Heatmats (the ones for reptiles mainly) can also overheat and cause burns. I have never heard about a connection between CHEs and cancer...

 

[FluffyHedgehog]

thank you x

thank you ill stick with the CHE for his new viv, I was confused when I was told about them causing cancer too as I thought it was ultraviolet rays that caused cancer not infra red, I thought it was best to ask rather than sit worrying

 

[Soyala_Amaya]

I am completely confused by the idea of straight heat causing cancer too. I think whoever said that was confused, or they were thinking of the red heat bulbs used for lizards that need UV light for their health. They may not have known the difference between a light heat bulb and a CHE.
Heating pads have been known to short circuit and cause fires, I would never leave one running all day when I'm not home. Then again, I don't leave my CHE running either, it's why I love my thermostat! Turns the heating on and off as needed and keeps this hedgie mama from having to worry.

 

[shinydistraction]

I just want to make sure, you'll be using a CHE which is a bulb that produces heat only with absolutely no light, correct? Your last response mentioned infra red and I just wanted to be sure you're not using one of the red bulbs commonly used for reptiles. They aren't the same thing and heating bulbs that produce light should not be used for hedgehogs.

 

[FluffyHedgehog]

hi, the bulb i have does not produce light, i use the 100w lucky reptile dark spot ceramic heat emitters attached to a pulse proportional thermostat

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep...le-dark-spot-ceramic-heat-emitters-12972.html