Halogen bulb or ceramic emitter: which heating for your terrarium?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The halogen bulb is the best daytime heater: it produces heat and light much like the sun, for 10 to 20 €. The ceramic heat emitter, which warms without any light, is the choice for night-time and cold rooms, at 15 to 40 €. Most well-designed terrariums combine the two, always on a thermostat.
Contents · 5 sections
Why is halogen ideal during the day?
A 35 to 75 W halogen spot creates a bright basking area with infrared radiation close to natural sunlight, exactly what reptiles seek for thermoregulation. It heats up fast, dims well on a dimming thermostat and costs little to buy. Its weakness: a limited lifespan (six months to a year), especially under abrupt on-off cycling.
When is a ceramic emitter the better choice?
Ceramic produces no light at all: it never disrupts the day-night cycle, so it can run at night if the room drops below the species' tolerated minimum. It lasts two to five years and suits large enclosures. On the downside, its far infrared penetrates tissue less effectively and it dries the air enough to bother some tropical species.
How do they compare at a glance?
- Heat + light: halogen, perfect for the daytime basking spot;
- Heat only: ceramic, suited to night-time;
- Price: 10-20 € for halogen, 15-40 € for ceramic;
- Lifespan: ceramic wins by a wide margin;
- Power draw: equivalent at equal wattage, but halogen makes every watt count by lighting as well.
Do you really need to heat at night?
Not always: leopard geckos, bearded dragons and corn snakes tolerate a night-time drop to 18-20 °C perfectly well — it matches their biology. Only add a night-time ceramic if the room stays lower for long periods, and run it on a thermostat to avoid any overheating. Find fixtures, holders and guards in the reptile accessories section.
Frequently asked questions
Can you leave a red bulb on at night?
Not recommended: contrary to popular belief, many reptiles perceive red light, which disturbs their rest. Ceramic remains the only truly dark option.
Which socket for a ceramic emitter?
A porcelain E27 socket, without exception: ceramic reaches temperatures that melt plastic fittings. Add a protective cage if the animal can reach it.
Does a halogen replace the UVB lamp?
No: halogen provides heat and visible light, but no UVB. The two are complementary and sit side by side above the basking spot.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Stick-on digital thermometer for aquarium and terrarium glass (€18.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
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