So you'll commonly see domes in 8.5in and 10in. You can use the 8.5 if that's the largest you can find, but the 10 will spread the heat better, so if you can find it, get that. Using two would probably be better. The wattage I would say depends on how well the cage holds heat, what temp you're trying to keep the cage, and how cool the room is. If you're wanting to keep the room relatively cool, you'll want the higher watt bulb. If the room will be kept closer to the target temp of the cage, you could use the 100w. You may need to experiment a bit to see what works best for your particular situation tho.

 

I have 2 8.5 inch domes with a 100w CHE in each. I'm definitely looking at upgrading to a 10 inch. These do ok and work but the thermostat clicks on relatively frequently. My suggestion would be 2, I think it helps even out temp better, but if the cage isn't huge or holds heat well, you could use one in the center and then put the thermostat bulb farther away to the side so you know everything is heating fairly. I would try a 100w, and if that isn't doing the job you'll know to bump up to the 150w. If you use 2, 100w should be pretty sufficient. I would just go with a 10 inch dome regardless.

 

Are the wooden cages stacked? How are they set up? Are you planning on putting the CHE lamps in the cages (out of hedgie reach) or on top of the cages?

The reason I'm asking is because I have a CHE lamp in Bindi's viv, but it drives me nuts. I had to set up a PVC pipe/wire shelf to hold the lamp up, but I don't like it because it takes up some of her cage room & it's annoying to remove for cage cleaning. So was just curious if you had plans to set up the lamps better than something like that or if they'll be on the outside.

I've gotten fed up enough with Bindi's lamp that I'm planning to try ordering a radiant heat panel & see how well it works in her cage. I have one for my ball python's enclosure & really like it, but I haven't heard of them being used with hedgehogs much. So I can't exactly recommend it, but wanted to mention it as a potentially easier solution. If you're interested in experimenting & seeing if it'd work, here's where I got my snake's panel - http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

 

One cage is by itself and it has wire sides on the front and sides with a solid back and top. The other two are stacked with wire on the front and one side. I'll try to attach pictures. Those radient heaters look really nice!!! I don't think they would work well for mine because of the solid tops but if I could use them I would probably try them.

I'll definitely use the ten inch domes then. The single cage doesn't hold as much heat because it is more open so maybe I will plan on two bulbs for her... the other two tend to hold some more heat. I was planning on putting the bulbs on the outside of the front of the cages.

 

Also, right now I have the AC vent mostly blocked in their room because I use the space heater. Which I plan to leave it blocked and just keep that room warmer than the house

 

You can actually use them with solid tops - that's how most reptile vivs are. My snake's viv has a solid top. You attach the panel to the top of the cage on the inside rather than having it sit on something like the CHE lamps. Reptile Basics has an FAQ about them in the Resources tab if you want to read more info about them & how they work. The employee I contacted before I bought one for the snake wasn't sure that they'd work for hedgehogs, but now that I have one in my snake's enclosure & see how the temps work, I think they'd work perfectly fine. I have an 80watt panel in her enclosure (4ft long, 2ft wide, 3 ft tall, same as my hedgehog enclosures) & it keeps her enclosure plenty warm enough - the cool side is typically 79-82F.

 

Ohhhhh I see. That would be awesome... and would use less energy. I'm guessing you would still hook it up to a rheostat?

 

I wonder which one I would need... I don't want roasted hedgies lol

 

Yup, it needs to be hooked to a thermostat (not rheostat - those just dim the settings, thermostat adjust the heating set up to keep it at a set temp). I was looking at the ones on the site, but I ended up getting something different...I'll have to wait & look to see what it is though, I can't remember the name. Right now I'm using a Zilla thermostat & I like them, never had an issue with them. But the ones on Reptile Basics and the one I have for the snake now have more safety back ups & are more trustworthy, so I'm planning to get the nicer ones for the panels for the hedgehogs as well, though they're more expensive. Just have to wait until I have the money!

Check the panel FAQ! They discuss which wattage is best for which size cage. I would think 80 watt would probably be fine, or maybe even the 40 watt in the more closed-in cages.