Hi
I have a ceramic bulb holder that is designed with two screw holes to connect it to the ceiling of a viv.
I have noticed that as a result the top of the viv (on the outside) feels quite warm when the ceramic is running.
Does anyone else use this kind of holder and if so have you had any problems ?

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0.1 Bairds Rat Snake
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mines on a chain to a hook in the ceiling, as you can se it hands pretty low in the second set-up, thats to stop it heating the next viv up too much

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Do you think having it screwed directly to the wood is going to cause a problem as a result of the viv roof getting a little hot in that area ?

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0.1 Bairds Rat Snake
1.0 Springer Spaniel
0.1 Cat
1.1 Kids
0.1 Missus who needs to understand the need for more snakes.

yeah definetely, mine was alot cooler on the set-up(second pic) just by dropping it down an extra to links on the chain

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MY SNAKES AND INVERTSLAVENDER 1.1BUTTER 1.0ABBOTTS OKEETEE 2.1BLOODRED 1.1STRAWBERRY SNOW 0.1ULTRAMEL HET CARAMEL 0.1STRIPED HOUSE SNAKE 0.1CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 0.1.1AMEL CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 1.1ROYAL PYTHON 0.1MEXICAN RED KNEE 0.0.3BRAZILLIAN WHITE KNEE 0.0.2GIANT SPINEY STICK INSECTS 2.3

if possible you could mount it on the side of the viv, if the bulb is near the top then it will still get hot but not as much.

I've got the same type of holder as you (screwed to the viv ceiling).

I asked Bev from Solaris Heat (she sells the ceramic kits on Ebay), whether it would be better to swap for a suspended holder as my viv feels pretty warm on the top too. She replied saying not to worry too much about the wood getting hot, as long as you can put your hand on it and hold it there, you are ok.

When I move house I may end up stacking my vivs on top of each other, so I'll probably replace with a suspended holder then... but for the time being it all seems ok!

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Yeh, emailed her myself and got a reasuring email back the same as you.
Can put the back of my hand on the viv and its not hot just very warm, and only in a small area so don't think it will cause a problem.
Very very good customer service again from Solaris.

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0.1 Bairds Rat Snake
1.0 Springer Spaniel
0.1 Cat
1.1 Kids
0.1 Missus who needs to understand the need for more snakes.

Captaincaveman, what wattage bulb is that in the first pic? Doesn't the guard get hot cause it looks pretty close to the bulb?

I've just got a 100w ceramic bulb and I was very surprised at the amount of heat it gave off. I've made my own guard from wire mesh and I've had to make it 11 inches deep! so the guard doesn't get too hot.

I'm not using the ceramic yet though cause my current viv is made entirely of perspex and is only 3x15x15, I'm sure it would melt. I'm going to wait til I build/buy a bigger viv (48x 24 x24) from contiboard, then use the ceramic in that.

Where did you get that guard from? I've never seen corner type ones before, or did you modify a regular guard?

Its a pearlco 100w, the guard doesn't actually get that hot, it doesn't look it in the pic but its just over an inch away, you can keep your hand on it no-problem

i got the guard from my local shop, i really like them but they are only good for the pearlcos or bulbs, the larger ceramics are just too big for them

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MY SNAKES AND INVERTSLAVENDER 1.1BUTTER 1.0ABBOTTS OKEETEE 2.1BLOODRED 1.1STRAWBERRY SNOW 0.1ULTRAMEL HET CARAMEL 0.1STRIPED HOUSE SNAKE 0.1CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 0.1.1AMEL CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 1.1ROYAL PYTHON 0.1MEXICAN RED KNEE 0.0.3BRAZILLIAN WHITE KNEE 0.0.2GIANT SPINEY STICK INSECTS 2.3

Just an idea but could you not put aliminium foil above the holder or does the cable sit to close to the outer rim of the holder to do so.If you have a little bit if depth in it you may be able to stick some foil to the top of the viv then screw in the holder.This should reflect the heat back into the viv rather than the timber absorbing it.