dolphinsilversea01
Juvie Member
I know there are other posts concerning some of these issues, but I don't always like asking my own questions in someone elses posts too much because it kinda feels like I am stealing their post. I also know I have asked similar questions in the past, but obviously with my re-asking there is cause for concern.
My Spike is in a 55g. I have a screen top with 150W heat bulb and the 10 UVb light. I also have two digital thermometers - one on the hot side and one on the cool. It just doesn't seem to be getting hot enough. The last few days, the hot side has gotten to 76 at its hottest. I went through this issue before and thought it was fixed, but obviously with it getting cooler due to the seasons I may just have to re-do his lighting. I can't find anything higher than a 150W, so what am I supposed to do? It has been suggested here that heat pads don't work all that well, and the ones I have on my Dubias I have noticed the tank glass gets really hot. Does putting a heat pad on the side of a tank really help with the heat inside? I have been keeping a red night light on in the day time as well as the day time light just for extra heat, but it still doesn't seem to be getting too hot.
Like I said I have screen top, and much of the talk here is that the UVB needs to be as close as possble, and at the most about 10 inches away. Well, with the 55g it is about 18-20 inches away. I have been trying to come up with an idea on how to hang it on the inside closer to him, but with a 55g, screen top, and other light fixtures it is already some what of a pain every time I want to get inside his habitat. I am considering building him pretty much a personalized habitat from some different ones on here and my own ideas. But, this is going to take some time and money - what do I do until then?
He seems to be overall healthy. Other than ALOT of sleeping, which I believe to be due part from the heat, UVB, and from brumation as he has also lost his appetite for the most part.
The last couple of days I have gotten him out he has just seemed so cold!! I end up just wrapping him up in a blanket against me, but I of course can't do this constantly.
I have outside carpet at the bottom of the tank now. If I use a heat pad do you think this will do harm or burn the carpet?
What are your thoughts and suggestions?
My Spike is in a 55g. I have a screen top with 150W heat bulb and the 10 UVb light. I also have two digital thermometers - one on the hot side and one on the cool. It just doesn't seem to be getting hot enough. The last few days, the hot side has gotten to 76 at its hottest. I went through this issue before and thought it was fixed, but obviously with it getting cooler due to the seasons I may just have to re-do his lighting. I can't find anything higher than a 150W, so what am I supposed to do? It has been suggested here that heat pads don't work all that well, and the ones I have on my Dubias I have noticed the tank glass gets really hot. Does putting a heat pad on the side of a tank really help with the heat inside? I have been keeping a red night light on in the day time as well as the day time light just for extra heat, but it still doesn't seem to be getting too hot.
Like I said I have screen top, and much of the talk here is that the UVB needs to be as close as possble, and at the most about 10 inches away. Well, with the 55g it is about 18-20 inches away. I have been trying to come up with an idea on how to hang it on the inside closer to him, but with a 55g, screen top, and other light fixtures it is already some what of a pain every time I want to get inside his habitat. I am considering building him pretty much a personalized habitat from some different ones on here and my own ideas. But, this is going to take some time and money - what do I do until then?
He seems to be overall healthy. Other than ALOT of sleeping, which I believe to be due part from the heat, UVB, and from brumation as he has also lost his appetite for the most part.
The last couple of days I have gotten him out he has just seemed so cold!! I end up just wrapping him up in a blanket against me, but I of course can't do this constantly.
I have outside carpet at the bottom of the tank now. If I use a heat pad do you think this will do harm or burn the carpet?
What are your thoughts and suggestions?