Nighttime lighting/heating help!

[TheWerewolf]

Hey everybody, I need some help with this. So, winter has hit Maine and it is super cold, yet still no snow, LOL. We have been having some money problems, it started after I got my Nimrod. Two months after. Now, we don't have the money to buy heating oil for our house. And our house was built so badly that heat seeps out and cold comes in. Since we don't have money for oil we have heaters going in various rooms of the house. Now, I know beardies should sleep in temps of no less than 65. If it gets that low get a CHE, not a red or blue heat lamp 'cause they can see that and it will disturb their sleep. I know all of that, but this is my problem and I'm a little worried. We don't have money to get a CHE, so I have been closing the room he is in and turning on heater for the night. This has been working, until now. The heater is cranked on full and his cage is even covered by a very warm blanket. But the temp inside said 57 degrees F. :shock: Is this REALLY bad? I'm worried about how cold it got. He got out of his bed fine, he doesn't look that cold. Is there any real harm that will come with a beardie sleeping in such cold temps? I know the desert gets cold at times, but that cold? Help, what should I do? I think we have a spare red light, but that will disturb his sleep. I would let him sleep with me, but I am a wild sleeper and I would crush him. Please nice unjudging beardie people, help me.
Thanks in advance for any kind replies.

 

[Lumpdog450]

What type of enclosure?

 

[TheWerewolf]

It's a glass tank. 10 gallons, but I am upgrading to a bigger one VERY SOON. He is out most of the time anyway. And holy moly, thanks for the quick response.

 

[Lumpdog450]

It's a glass tank. 10 gallons, but I am upgrading to a bigger one VERY SOON. He is out most of the time anyway. And holy moly, thanks for the quick response.

Sure I'm on lunch. I know Id try insulating it maybe with a blanket or two on 3 sides. Not the top or front of course...have you tried that?

 

[TheWerewolf]

The blanket covers three sides with a small area at the top for air. Should I just cover the whole thing?

 

[Lumpdog450]

the room my Dubias are in stays around 70 year round. I had a lil styrofoam left from my fauz rock project so I duct taped to my bin then wrapped a blanket around it. Stays 85-100 with heat pad on low depending where you point my temp gun

 

[Lumpdog450]

The blanket covers three sides with a small area at the top for air. Should I just cover the whole thing?

So it already has a blanket for insulation?

 

[TheWerewolf]

Yeah, a blue fleece-like very soft and warm blanket. I am using it to keep his cage extra warm. That is why I was surprised to see the probe thermometer say 57. It covers three sides of the tank on the outside. But, his cage is close to a window. Maybe I should cover more the area where the window is.

 

[Lumpdog450]

Yeah, a blue fleece-like very soft and warm blanket. I am using it to keep his cage extra warm. That is why I was surprised to see the probe thermometer say 57. It covers three sides of the tank on the outside. But, his cage is close to a window. Maybe I should cover more the area where the window is.

can you get your hands on any styrofoam insulation?

 

[TheWerewolf]

Hmm, not that I know of. We do have a small styrofoam cooler, LOL. I could put him in there for the night. LOL, just kidding.

 

[Lumpdog450]

ha well I'd try anything I could. Crazy as it sounds I might get a big cardboard box and insulate it to see if that helps. I'd for sure try insualting that window better or maybe moving to another room in the house....Sorry if I couldnt help more

 

[TheWerewolf]

Thanks for all your help. I'll see if I could move the cage somewhere better during the night. Or just insulate the window. Thanks so much.

 

[Lumpdog450]

anytime

 

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

Hi I sympathize. My house gets really cold at night. So, #1.I move him to a smaller enclosure for the winter. #2. Three sides are covered with egg box type material. if you go to the grocery store in back, the banana boxes come with this blue ridged stuff made of something that looks like paper mache. It's in sheets so very easy to stick to the sides of the enclosure. I followed that with sheets of cardboard.Now he has several layers of insulation. #3 I cover the front with a fleece blanket (but be careful it doesn't drape the top and cover the night light and start to burn!) #4 Gladstone has a half-log thing he can get under to sleep that keeps the heat in and he really does o into it every night with just his nose sticking out the end. (yes very cute). You can get these for ridiculous prices in pet stores but I just use a piece of bark off a firewood log. So altogether, he's as snug as a bug.
Hope that helps

 

[TheWerewolf]

Thank you for the tips. Nim has a little bed I made him. He doesn't like to go in 'caves'. He'd rather sit in his luxury bed, I think it keeps him warm. What I have been doing is moving his cage to the window and covering it with a blanket. But leaving one little hole so he can breath. And hopefully it won't get any colder. But if it does I'll certainly try your idea. Thank you.