Substrates & Changing It Out

[mpickering15]

No your fine stop stressing- the back of tank is fine-- as long as he can get away from the rays of the UVB he will be fine-- your uvb and basking light don't need to be right next to each other he will go to the light he needs mine do
Karrie

Okay, husband is freakin out because he’s concerned with how the heat light will be crooked on the tank and make us un able to get inside without moving the heat lamp off of the tank since it’s a slide-open top

do you reccomend I just get a smaller uvb hood so I Can place it inside and still have room on the back of the tank top for the basking light to be beside it?

 

[KarrieRee]

What size is the tank? A 40 gallon? Can you send the 36" back exchange it for a 24"

 

[mpickering15]

What size is the tank? A 40 gallon? Can you send the 36" back exchange it for a 24"

Yes, 40 Gal. I should be able to get it returned tomorrow and get a 24”

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--

 

[mpickering15]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--[/

We put the long tube up and he turned it on for a brief second to see & husband says he thinks the long one will be okay. I’ll snap a photo. His concern was that the top of the tank like the “plastic pieces” were plastic but they are metal so that’s a relief.

 

[mpickering15]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--

We got the basking light changed too! I’m at least relieved a he11 Of a lot more than I was this morning. Does placement look good? Looks good to us for now thank you so much again. You’ve been an amazing help. <3

 

[mpickering15]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--

We got the basking light changed too! I’m at least relieved a he11 Of a lot more than I was this morning. Does placement look good? Looks good to us for now thank you so much again. You’ve been an amazing help. <3

We also removed the water dish because the humidity started to gear towards 40% and it usually sits at 30-35 So we removed it so her humidity wouldn’t sky rocket

 

[mpickering15]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--

We got the basking light changed too! I’m at least relieved a he11 Of a lot more than I was this morning. Does placement look good? Looks good to us for now thank you so much again. You’ve been an amazing help. <3

We also removed the water dish because the humidity started to gear towards 40% and it usually sits at 30-35 So we removed it so her humidity wouldn’t sky rocket

Update, humidity is fine and has been for awhile. Down to 30-33%. Got her some fresh water in there , and she has eaten 5-6 crickets so far. She has a fresh bock choy, collard green, carrot & apple salad for her.

 

[mpickering15]

Ok sounds good it's going to be easier to hang in the tank--- and you will need to get the stuff to use to hang w/ as well--

We got the basking light changed too! I’m at least relieved a he11 Of a lot more than I was this morning. Does placement look good? Looks good to us for now thank you so much again. You’ve been an amazing help. <3

We also removed the water dish because the humidity started to gear towards 40% and it usually sits at 30-35 So we removed it so her humidity wouldn’t sky rocket

Update, humidity is fine and has been for awhile. Down to 30-33%. Got her some fresh water in there , and she has eaten 5-6 crickets so far. She has a fresh bock choy, collard green, carrot & apple salad for her.

Also, her basking area is getting a better temp reading. I experimented with the probe yesterday and put it on the basking hide and got the temp. Temp right now on basking hide is 105. She is on her stick / log though, but it’s hard to get a reading on that

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so here are the things you can hang w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line-- potted plant wire hangers or these -- I use them in my tank - you will need to cut them in strips - they are like Velcro strap and you can get them from here
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
you need a piece of decor directly under the UVB --- take a pic of it when you get it set up -- if you have anymore questions about diet feeders where to buy etc please ask
Karrie

 

[mpickering15]

Ok so here are the things you can hang w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line-- potted plant wire hangers or these -- I use them in my tank - you will need to cut them in strips - they are like Velcro strap and you can get them from here
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
you need a piece of decor directly under the UVB --- take a pic of it when you get it set up -- if you have anymore questions about diet feeders where to buy etc please ask
Karrie

Awesome okay. I’m gonna try to get stuff done today for her. The only thing is is that the T5 tube light isn’t gonna fit inside there. I have saw that it’s okay to put it on top of the mesh but wouldn’t she need more UVB ? Also, the bulb that came inside is a 5.0, not a 10.0. So it will probably go bad sooner, but that’s okay we’re prepared to spend more money. We’ve almost spent about a grand on her already? We want to get the basking light mounted as well, but I have also seen people just place it on top but since it’s 150w I don’t want it to be too hot in there

 

[mpickering15]

Ok so here are the things you can hang w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line-- potted plant wire hangers or these -- I use them in my tank - you will need to cut them in strips - they are like Velcro strap and you can get them from here
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
you need a piece of decor directly under the UVB --- take a pic of it when you get it set up -- if you have anymore questions about diet feeders where to buy etc please ask
Karrie

Awesome okay. I’m gonna try to get stuff done today for her. The only thing is is that the T5 tube light isn’t gonna fit inside there. I have saw that it’s okay to put it on top of the mesh but wouldn’t she need more UVB ? Also, the bulb that came inside is a 5.0, not a 10.0. So it will probably go bad sooner, but that’s okay we’re prepared to spend more money. We’ve almost spent about a grand on her already? We want to get the basking light mounted as well, but I have also seen people just place it on top but since it’s 150w I don’t want it to be too hot in there

But , I’ve been monitoring temp quite often and it’s okay right now. TMI but She had a healthy poop too!?

 

[KarrieRee]

Your gonna need to do something w/ the UVB fixture either exchange it for the 24" or take the screen off or leave half way on -- I would not mount the basking bulb -- the 5.0 bulb is not as strong as the 10.0 bulb it can be used for back up only and it would absolutely need to go into the tank -- the 24" fixture would be better for the tank size and even then when you upgrade to a larger tank the 24" can go into that one as well -- your screen will block 30% of the UVB rays that is why you need it unobstructed --- you can buy a stand like this for the basking bulb and then you can adjust the height of the bulb giving different basking temps and get the UVB situated over the top -- https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/environmental-control-and-lighting/zoo-med-reptile-lamp-stand-14886.html?cgid=500202
Karrie

 

[mpickering15]

Your gonna need to do something w/ the UVB fixture either exchange it for the 24" or take the screen off or leave half way on -- I would not mount the basking bulb -- the 5.0 bulb is not as strong as the 10.0 bulb it can be used for back up only and it would absolutely need to go into the tank -- the 24" fixture would be better for the tank size and even then when you upgrade to a larger tank the 24" can go into that one as well -- your screen will block 30% of the UVB rays that is why you need it unobstructed --- you can buy a stand like this for the basking bulb and then you can adjust the height of the bulb giving different basking temps and get the UVB situated over the top -- https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/environmental-control-and-lighting/zoo-med-reptile-lamp-stand-14886.html?cgid=500202
Karrie

We got a 10.0 bulb and swapped it out. I heard though that the T5 can sit on top of the mesh?

 

[KarrieRee]

It can for a wide hole type w/ the fine screen it should be unobstructed -- meaning no screen or inside the tank --- w/ no screen or inside distance should be 12-15 inches ---
Karrie