Ceramic or infrared

[scotchbo]

Hey to all

Just curious if a red infrared globe would be suitable for a pair of coastal carptet python's or would a ceramic light that dosnt have any light be better mind you i like how the red globe lights up the tank it look's really good but im after performance not look's so if a ceramic globe is better ill go get one...

thanks to all who read this

[Parko]

Hi scotchbo, either will be fine as they both do the same thing, but i'm a fan of ceramics because of their long life expectancy. I changed from light bulbs to ceramics 3 yrs ago because i didn't like the colourful lights, i got over the initial ''oh look at the pretty red light'' very quickly lol. All the ceramics i put in 3 yrs ago are still running strong.

[JasonL]

I have both, I like the ceramics better too, but I also like red bulbs so at least I know that they are on from a distance.

Pearlco ceramic heaters

[Fuscus]

As said before the ceramic pig heaters are good but it is hard to tell when they fail.

[Sdaji]

I have two unused 150W infrared heaters if anyone is interested, they are high quality, GE lighting brand. They were in the lab inventory, but surplus to needs, both in the lab and for me personally (I don't like ceramics or infrared heaters ).

[reptilemart]

could you just wire a small red LED in series with the ceramic heater? Whenever the heater is turned on the little red light will turn on. If the bulb blows, the LED won't come on.. easy fix

[Sdaji]

You could certainly do that, but you'd have a fair bit of voltage across a small red LED, and you might find it would blow before the ceramic heater

[Parko]

A ceramic is dynamic,
an infrared is left for dead,
and red will send you manic.


There you go that should prove that ceramics are the better option.

[craig.a.c]

Ceramicswill last alot longer then infrared globes. As Fuscus said, it is hard to tell when they fail. Whereas, with with a red light, if it doesn't come back on for a while then you know it has blown. I currently use both. One of the ceramics I have had for over 12 months now, and the infrared ones I replace about every 6 months (they don't normaly last that long).

[redline]

I use infrared they last me about 2mths.

[dee4]

OZ black ceramic have a recommended 2500 hours life span. Your personal choice as to what you want to run as the red globes wil not last as long but are cheaper for a quick fix. Over 3 years as stated previous, how many globes will you go through. Yes the down fall with the ceramic is that you can't see when they fail, but you have a temp probe in your unit don't you? Do you check your units regularly? I do and I don't have any problem with them, but that's just my opinion.

[hugsta]

You will also get a much longer lifespan from a globe if you use a dimmerstat rather than an on/off stat as well.

[olivehydra]

I use ceramics due to their value for money. Regarding their lack of obvious experession of expiration, I find a thermometre works wonders.

[alumba]

if u know your reptile and observe its behaviour it will tell you when you need to check your ceramic