Work in progress enclosure

[luvalot]

Hi all

I now have my new beardies enclosure set up. Still playing with it as we are learning what accomodations need to be made for him missing a limb.

I have an IR temperature gun. I know how far to hold it from the spot...but do I aim it up at the light or against the back wall just straight on? The dial on the back wall just came with him. We don't use it. LOL,

I can only seem to get a reading of about 88 on the top of his little grey basking rock and he hasn't figured out how to climb the other stuff yet (or can't?)

We have a 150Watt Intense basking light on the left, a 50Watt All living things Neodymium basking bulb on the right and a ReptiSun 10.0 36" T5 along the left hand side as well.

I am unsure about the slate-look ceramic. I purposely bought one with texture but he does not do well on it (perhaps because of the missing limb?)

I am also worried he will get stuck somewhere.

Any further suggestions? I am open to any and all suggestions!

Thanks!
Janet

 

[ruben0311]

as far as the infrared thermometer goes you will be aiming it at the surface that you want to measure directly. so if reading the basking spot aim right on the spot itself. aiming it at anything that is glass will give you an ambient air temperature from whatever is touching the glass.

"but do I aim it up at the light or against the back wall just straight on?"

I figure this is what the question is referring to... so yeah, the dial thermometer can be used to measure the air temperature within the tank but nothing else, so kinda sorta has a use but not really. a 150W should get you higher temps, if not you'll just need to build up his basking spot so it's closer. I like the scraps of cloth too, makes a comfy burrow spot and also will protect him if he falls from his basking spot.

 

[luvalot]

I just removed the dial we got with him. I have the IR gun which is more accurate and got a digital hygrometer today :0

 

[CooperDragon]

I suggest replacing or removing the neodymium basking light. The neodymium coating will filter out yellow light which may make things look odd to him. Perhaps put in a 50w CHE in the other dome so you can bump the basking temps a bit. That would give you a nighttime heat source as well if needed. If the temps in the tank stay in the low 70s overnight it's not necessary though and a lower wattage secondary basking light might be better. I've had good luck with PAR38 and BR40 halogen flood lights.

 

[luvalot]

Is a CHE something that is reptile specific or can I go to a Lowes and find one?

Thanks!

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm not sure if Lowe's would have it but it's not reptile specific. A ceramic heat emitter is just a covered coil that produces heat (infrared) without visible light so it's good for nighttime heat. Pet stores usually carry them and they're available online in several places. You can definitely pick up a halogen flood light at Lowe's.

 

[luvalot]

It seems to be warm enough at night.

Is the following the kind you are talking about:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.halogen-90w-par38-flood.1000139156.html

Does this give off heat? What wattage should I get?

I am getting an arm to hang the basking light lower today. So his backing area will be a better temperature now. I just need to work on warming up the other side s bit as its only at 74 or so.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah that's the type of light. I'd look for one that has higher lumens though (Brighter). The set I have is 1790 lumens and I think there are models that are even higher which is good. These produce a pretty bright light and plenty of heat. Canadian Tire might have some too -they seem to have everything. Having an adjustable lamp stand will be helpful. I use them for my lights too.

If your cool side temps are 74 that's actually pretty good. I usually recommend a basking area of about 100-105 with areas around that in the 90s and a gradient down to 75-80ish on the cool side. If you bump the temps on the basking side that should keep a really nice gradient across the tank.

 

[ruben0311]

good job caring for the little booger by the way, how is he handling his home?