Newbie in need of help!

[LianneHenry]

I have never used the excavator clay -- or any loose substrate in my tanks - I am using a rubber mat that comes from Zen Habitats and their tanks w/ 2 pieces of slated ceramic tile to keep the nails down -please get rid of the heat mat --- you want a ceramic heat emitter that goes in a dome- also known as a CHE -- if your tank is dropping below 65 F at night you want the CHE - I would start w/ the wattage of a basking bulb of the Solar Glo and make sure your using the digital probes to monitor the surface basking temp

What kind of dome is compatible with a CHE? Name/brand? Here a wire light is advised on the Dutch websites I visited so far.

 

[KarrieRee]

What kind of dome is compatible with a CHE? Name/brand? Here a wire light is advised on the Dutch websites I visited so far.

Your basking dome you have for your basking lamp- it has to have a ceramic socket- flukers makes them --
here is one but you can shop Amazon or your websites you have for reptile supplies etc

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Extra long reflector dome that completely covers the lamp Highly polished aluminium dome that increases UVB and UVA Available in 2 sizes, with lamps up to 160 W

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

what is a wire light?
this one will work - I use the mini domes

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Extra long reflector dome that completely covers the lamp Highly polished aluminium dome that increases UVB and UVA Available in 2 sizes, with lamps up to 160 W

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

 

[LianneHenry]

Your basking dome you have for your basking lamp- it has to have a ceramic socket- flukers makes them --
here is one but you can shop Amazon or your websites you have for reptile supplies etc

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Extra long reflector dome that completely covers the lamp Highly polished aluminium dome that increases UVB and UVA Available in 2 sizes, with lamps up to 160 W

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

what is a wire light?
this one will work - I use the mini domes

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture

Extra long reflector dome that completely covers the lamp Highly polished aluminium dome that increases UVB and UVA Available in 2 sizes, with lamps up to 160 W

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Wire Cage Clamp Lamp | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

zoomed.com

 

[LianneHenry]

Wire Cage Clamp Lamp | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

zoomed.com

This is the wire light. I will look into the domes. Right now we have crazy temperatures the next two weeks. Way warmer than normal so I will order a CHE in a week I will order it together with a new batch of dubias. In the Netherlands shipping is crazy expensive.

 

[LianneHenry]

Got some wood made to size at the buildingstore, the Zoo med T5 will arrive tomorrow so let’s see if it works on top. Thanks for all the advice to far, it really helps

 

[KarrieRee]

View attachment 75103
Got some wood made to size at the buildingstore, the Zoo med T5 will arrive tomorrow so let’s see if it works on top. Thanks for all the advice to far, it really helps

Yes the wood will work good if you need it --- the wire light fixture will work for your CHE - that can sit on top of the screen -

 

[LianneHenry]

I have never used the excavator clay -- or any loose substrate in my tanks - I am using a rubber mat that comes from Zen Habitats and their tanks w/ 2 pieces of slated ceramic tile to keep the nails down -please get rid of the heat mat --- you want a ceramic heat emitter that goes in a dome- also known as a CHE -- if your tank is dropping below 65 F at night you want the CHE - I would start w/ the wattage of a basking bulb of the Solar Glo and make sure your using the digital probes to monitor the surface basking temp

For substrate I will make a decision later. When I got Henry he was on sand...... When I changed this for the paper towels he kept pooping sand for 5 days so I am leaning towards something else than a loose substrate. Just like the look of the clay and some people seem to have good experiences with it. But I really don't want him to eat any substrate anymore. A mat combined with rocks sounds like a good plan! I still have a big slate tile from his old enclosure which already covers a big part of the tank.

 

[KarrieRee]

For substrate I will make a decision later. When I got Henry he was on sand...... When I changed this for the paper towels he kept pooping sand for 5 days so I am leaning towards something else than a loose substrate. Just like the look of the clay and some people seem to have good experiences with it. But I really don't want him to eat any substrate anymore. A mat combined with rocks sounds like a good plan! I still have a big slate tile from his old enclosure which already covers a big part of the tank.

If hes eating his substrate I would recommend some textured NON adhesive shelf liner -- you can order it on line or get it at your local home improvement store --- I would not be using any type of loose substrate -- I would not get the mat w/ rocks -- if he eats the rocks they are going to cause impaction -- like the sand its good he was pooping it out and it did not plug him up

 

[LianneHenry]

If hes eating his substrate I would recommend some textured NON adhesive shelf liner -- you can order it on line or get it at your local home improvement store --- I would not be using any type of loose substrate -- I would not get the mat w/ rocks -- if he eats the rocks they are going to cause impaction -- like the sand its good he was pooping it out and it did not plug him up

Thanks for the advice! Yes I meant a mat like that and I will put some big rocks on top for grip. Nothing that he can eat

 

[LianneHenry]

Yes the wood will work good if you need it --- the wire light fixture will work for your CHE - that can sit on top of the screen -

I got everything in the mail finally today. This is what it looks like now:

 

[LianneHenry]

Yes the wood will work good if you need it --- the wire light fixture will work for your CHE - that can sit on top of the screen -

He is very active today now I changes everything up. Thinking about buying these to secure the T5: Repti-riser Reptisun T5 Model - Etsy

What height would you suggest? i was thinking the 3,5cm

 

[KarrieRee]

He is very active today now I changes everything up. Thinking about buying these to secure the T5: Repti-riser Reptisun T5 Model - Etsy

What height would you suggest? i was thinking the 3,5cm

What does the screen look like is it a fine mesh like a screen door orca wide hole type?

 

[xp29]

The uvb don't get all that hot, if you want to put it inside just get a couple heavy zipties, poke a hole on either side of the light(setting on top of the screen for reference) then movevit inside and secure it with the zipties. I have 2 of mine that way, it works fine.
I used excavator clay, i gets gard and cracks and is miserable to keep sanitized. I took it out and went back to tile.

 

[LianneHenry]

What does the screen look like is it a fine mesh like a screen door orca wide hole type?

 

[LianneHenry]

The uvb don't get all that hot, if you want to put it inside just get a couple heavy zipties, poke a hole on either side of the light(setting on top of the screen for reference) then movevit inside and secure it with the zipties. I have 2 of mine that way, it works fine.
I used excavator clay, i gets gard and cracks and is miserable to keep sanitized. I took it out and went back to tile.

Can I also just put it on top without the wood you think? Then the actual tube is about 0,5cm away from the plastic.