Update on Toby's tank

[Lolo76]

I posted the other day about managing temps, since the glass tank for my baby pastel wasn't getting warm enough. I think it was due to my cold room (it's seriously frigid - and San Francisco only gets colder in the summer), also the fact that glass tanks have an open screen lid. I just couldn't raise it higher than 80/70, even using both the UTH and heat lamp, so I switched him to the well-insulated wooden viv. I put Delilah in the glass one instead, since she lives in my roommate's much warmer room... so far her temps are looking fine, so I think it was a good switch.

As per the vivarium where I got this wooden tank, I'm only using a heat lamp - no UTH, and the temps are now around 89/74. Still a bit low on the cool side, probably since the lamp is fixed in the right corner. Any suggestions on how to reconfigure that? (picture below) Oh, and I replaced that small hide since he'd already outgrown it, and gave him another cave instead. He's been switching between them all night, and is now happily sleeping in the cool one. Here's how it looks so far... now I just need to find a "basket" for the lamp, spruce up the decor, and possibly re-tape the thermometer wires. Whew, I hope this works!!

[Lolo76]

P.S. How does the placement of the Acu-rite and sensor look? I have the sensor right above the substrate (paper towels) taped to the wall, which is pretty close to his hiding spot.

[dr del]

Hi,

You need to put a gaurd on the bulb to prevent possible accidents.

I made some out of mesh with a pair of pliers but you can buy professionaly made ones too.



Oh and what kind of tape are you using? I would only use low tack painters tape style to avoid accidents with that too.


dr del

[Lolo76]

Thanks! Where can you buy something like that light cage, but smaller since my tank is only 15g? I'm not too handy, so it's unlikely I could figure out how to build one. It was like that while Delilah lived in the tank, and she never got too close. But I realize that was fortunate, and won't push my luck any longer! As for the tape, I think it's "Duck" tape, which is a bit less sticky than duct tape... I can replace it with painter's if that's better.

I just checked on the temps, and they are perfect - 77/89. I think that's good, because he doesn't seem to like it above 90 (he'll switch to the cool side). I marked the dimmer at the spot it's set now, since it's been stable for a good 12 hours... so if it gets knocked off or I have to adjust it, I'll know where the "sweet spot" is. Yay for the wooden vivarium!!