Still Planing Rambo's new viv...

[ubergnomie]

I was hoping to start building this weekend, but I put more thought into my plans and decided I need more advice

Rambos new viv is going to be 5ft wide, 3ft high, and 3ft deep... atleast thats my plan at the moment, I might change that too since I have another 2 weeks to think now.

I'm using tile for the floor because carpet has proven to be a bad thing, and sand is bad too... and my uncle does tile for a living so I get to pick through his scraps and make this process cheaper =)

Heres where I'm stuck. I need to figure out lighting/heating. I think I'm going to have a screen top, good for ventilation and easier than figureing out where to drill and stuff. I'm going to need different lights, and domes. I have no idea what I'm going to need for a viv that size though. I have Rambos temporary 10 gallon perfect... ugh

I've heard UTH are a big NONO, but... my uncle suggested heat tape stuff(not sure what its acctually called) under the tile with a thermostat. Would that be okay for the cold nights? It would be cheaper than running my heater every night so Rambo doesn't freeze to death. I know I could always use CHE, but... part of me wants to avoid those.

Also I need to figure out the uvb and the rest of the lighting. My uvb is going to be worthless by the time I get this done. Its 3 months old, a hand-me-down from one of my friends that had beardies. You have to change them every 6 months right?

I have no idea with this. And I need to start figuring out pricing so I can figure out if I need to get a loan from the bank of mom and dad untill I get my new job.

Any help would be amazing. I'm very open to suggestions! My friend with the beardies moved far away and is impossible to get ahold of for help, so I'm counting on you guys to hold my hand and help me through this now :laughing6:

 

[ewstokes]

Id first recommend you only make it 2 feet high, to be able to regulate a temperature gradient better.