Heating Issues

[Kevinjareczek]

So much fun! Hahaha. I'm currently using the T5HO bulb. It's mounted on the ceiling from the inside (was recommended to do that by someone else). I was told to mount it there, and actually to mount it in the front (above the glass) instead of the back. I'm starting to think maybe having the UVB on the back wall and slightly lower would make achieving my basking temps a bit easier..

I did try getting my basking/hot side temps with and without the metal screen in front of the 90W, but not much changed.. Basking is still too hot, while the ground around it is colder than the cool side..

 

[Kevinjareczek]

You know what, now that I think about it, the ground temps are too cool on the "hot" end because my basking platform is so big. The ground isn't getting much light because it's getting blocked. Would it be okay to have the the entire "hot" side be elevated along with the basking area? The temperatures right around the basking spot would be just fine. I'm currently using a plank of wood for the basking area and I'm putting things underneath it to adjust the height before I make legs for it. I'm thinking maybe I can just have the plank run across most of the hot end, and then make the area underneath that his/her hideaway.

Image of what I have: http://imgur.com/GvHzwOt I could run that wood from the back to somewhat close to the front (not too close to uvb), and a bit longer (to the right)

 

[diamc]

Would you be able to post pictures of the whole tank for us so we can see exactly how it is now? Pictures from the top, front & side would be helpful.

Good that you have the T5 and it is mounted inside. What is the distance of it to the basking spot now?

 

[Kevinjareczek]

Sure thing! Sorry if I seem disorganized in what I've been typing. I'm running on very little sleep lately I should have mentioned that right before you replied to my original post, I had returned the 5.5 inch deep dome fixture and exchanged it for a 8.5 inch 150W fixture. So as of right now, the 90W is sitting in the 8.5 inch fixture (you will see it on the left) and the 60W incandescent is also in an 8.5 inch fixture. The flood bulb does stick out a small amount since it's not a deep dome fixture, and now I'm seeing that that might be part of the problem. The basking "platform" is about 13.5 inches away from the UVB in these pictures. That plank of wood you see with the boxes underneath it is the temporary basking spot until I find the right temps/height with that piece that I'm testing.

Front: http://imgur.com/eCojH28
Top with lamps: http://imgur.com/HLx9hUv
Top with lamps moved: http://imgur.com/SlnfM1u
Side view: http://imgur.com/4rM2gww

 

[diamc]

That is a beautiful vivarium. I had one that size a few years ago and had to build a ramp up to the basking spot that worked very well to get my 2 yr old female the right distance from the lights. She had lots of energy and at times would totally ignore the ramp and launch herself from the very top to the bottom so I had to leave a fluffy blanket in there so she didn't jump directly on the tiles and injure herself. It had a screened top though which helped with the lighting adjustment. I had to use 3 domes and that way, she could lay right under the basking light, on the ramp or nearer the cool side and radiate the temp she preferred. So, you may need to use a third dome so that the area between the hot & cool side has an ambient temp of around 90. The distance of the UVB to the basking spot sounds good especially considering the height that your beardie will be when sitting there.

Do you have vents in it yet? How old is your beardie or don't you have one yet?

 

[Kevinjareczek]

Thanks! That means a lot, since it's my very first one and I made it on my own That's really funny about your female beardie. I actually haven't gotten one yet, but I really hope he/she as energetic as that Do you think if I used a CHE for the middle that would do the trick? Otherwise I'll have four domes (I need a CHE at night anyways), and that seems like quite a bit

 

[diamc]

Yes, a heat emitter is great to use for supplemental heat and would work well for what you need it for. You might want to get a 100 watt CHE since the viv is so high and put it in the middle dome so that your beardie won't be sleeping right underneath it.

You did a great job building it yourself. 8) Have you put in any vents yet? That's very important for good air flow, maybe they are hidden in the pictures.

Do you have a particular breeder in mind and what age beardie are you thinking about if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Kevinjareczek]

I knew there was something I was forgetting in my last message. I do have vents, but I haven't installed them. I have four 3 inch circular vents, although I'm not sure how many I should use yet.

As for breeders, I'm going to this expo: http://allanimalexpo.com/directions/. A friend of mine recommended going there for a beardie. I've been wanting to get a baby for a long time now so I'd have the enjoyment of raising it, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm just hoping it won't be to hard to get him/her to eat his/her greens as I've read that it can be pretty difficult to shift their diets once they're older..

 

[diamc]

That's good that you plan on putting vents in, I just wanted to make sure. You might want to use all 4 of them actually in different areas spread out.

That's exciting that you will be going to that expo. If I could make a suggestion, you might want to get a juvenile rather than a baby as they are very particular with their needs. A 4 to 6 month old would be easier to care for. Also, a baby in that huge viv would be lost unless you have a smaller one to use in the beginning. A juvi would still be quite young yet but would adapt to all the changes easier than a very small one too.

If you start feeding healthy greens & veggies right away, the transition to 80% greens as an adult is easier. Sometimes they decide to cut themselves back to only 1 bug feeding when they are 8 to 9 months old so that helps too.

There are lots of caresheets on this forum that are helpful if you haven't seen them yet.

 

[Kevinjareczek]

Yeah, the more I've been reading online the more I've been leaning towards a juvi It seem like a better option as a first time owner!

 

[diamc]

Good for you. 8) I have had all ages, the smallest being a 4" one that we rescued from his cage mates at a pet store. We didn't think he would survive the night but he grew to be 19" and over 9 yrs old when he passed. Was touchy for a while. A juvi sounds like the way to go for you.