Hi. Big Newbie here. Trying to add a Beardie to our animal therapy clinic. In the process of a self-build. i live in Israel and the very limited purchase options are crazily expensive (the only vivarium i found that is appropriate for an adult is $500USD).
I have found a great storage box that i want to convert. It is wood with a non-toxic plastic coating. Dimensions are 145x40x40cm. It will have solid top, with a sliding glass front.
My main concerns are regarding the heating and lighting, especially as almost none of the recommended equipment is available here.
Here are my main questions -
1) Heating. I can buy a heating lamp and a ceramic fitting that can screw to the top of the 'ceiling'. That will mean that the lamp is about 30cm from the bottom of the enclosure. I am concerned that this is not enough space and my little guy will overheat. Can his basking area be on the flor or does he need somewhere to climb? is the 30cm enough? What wattage bulb is best (i understand that trial and error is recommended). My other worry is burning/melting the enclosure. How close to the sides and top of the enclosure can it be. I have also heard of domes but haven't found them in Israel. If i import one and cut out a hole for it in the top of the enclosure, how hot will the dome get? Might that burn/melt the enclosure?
2) Lighting. Specialist tube fixtures do not exist here! Should i settle for a (maybe 2) coil bulbs like everyone else in Israel (maybe because it is sunny here)? Can i try and find a regular tube fixture from a hardware store and use that? It seems that i could easily make a DIY reflector.
Thanks so much! :wave:
I have found a great storage box that i want to convert. It is wood with a non-toxic plastic coating. Dimensions are 145x40x40cm. It will have solid top, with a sliding glass front.
My main concerns are regarding the heating and lighting, especially as almost none of the recommended equipment is available here.
Here are my main questions -
1) Heating. I can buy a heating lamp and a ceramic fitting that can screw to the top of the 'ceiling'. That will mean that the lamp is about 30cm from the bottom of the enclosure. I am concerned that this is not enough space and my little guy will overheat. Can his basking area be on the flor or does he need somewhere to climb? is the 30cm enough? What wattage bulb is best (i understand that trial and error is recommended). My other worry is burning/melting the enclosure. How close to the sides and top of the enclosure can it be. I have also heard of domes but haven't found them in Israel. If i import one and cut out a hole for it in the top of the enclosure, how hot will the dome get? Might that burn/melt the enclosure?
2) Lighting. Specialist tube fixtures do not exist here! Should i settle for a (maybe 2) coil bulbs like everyone else in Israel (maybe because it is sunny here)? Can i try and find a regular tube fixture from a hardware store and use that? It seems that i could easily make a DIY reflector.
Thanks so much! :wave: