Ambient Temp help

[Dragon Queen]

It got quite a bit colder today/last night, and I have huge windows that leak in cold. I do live somewhere where the coldest it gets is in the mid 20's (right now it is 47f outside and 68f inside, despite the heat being on). so it's not that bad in comparison to most places. Anyways, when I got my snake, I knew I would have to figure out how to keep the ambient temperatures up. I thought I would use the ceramic heat emitter from when I had my beardie in addition to the 2 UTHs I have. The problem is, the ceramic heat emitter smells. Really, really bad, and my health issues are such that I can't tolerate the smell.

Right now, I am putting a lamp over his cage (it is a floor lamp, so the light/heat goes into the tank.) It helps a little, but is pretty bright and doesn't work as well as I'd like). I know that his temperatures are pretty good in his hide, in the 90's). My temps on the floor on the warm side are in the 91-88 (normally 90-93 depending on where I take the temperature). On the cool side they are 74 ish. The higher up you go from the floor, the cooler they get, being about mid 70s throughout the tank.

I am thinking of getting a black light bulb to use, and just continue to use this lamp. I am mostly concerned about the night time, since I will not be able to sleep with the bright light on.

Does anyone have any tips to help with temperature? I was thinking maybe I could wrap the tank in something to keep the heat in (like a towel).

Hopefully the outside temperatures go back to normal so my problems will stop.

Thanks!

Draba

[Dragon Queen]

I wrapped the tank in towels and a fleece blanket, and am feeling quite happy about it. My mom is picking up a darker lightbulb today so I can leave the lamp on tonight. I got some pictures. lol







I have a lot of experience working with heating tanks in cold weather because of my bearded dragons, but not being able to use the heat lamps kind of pokes a hole in my best ideas.

[06gt]

your ceramic heat emitter should not smell at all, get a new one and cover the top of the screen with a towel, that should help you but your going to probably want to regulate the che they can get pretty hot, if your house gets cold i would try and build/buy a wooden enclosure they hold heat alot better than glass or switch to a tub for now untill you can geat temps better.

[Dragon Queen]

Thanks I am more looking for short term advice since I cannot move him into anything other than a glass tank. For most of the time, my temperatures are just fine, 80 on the cool side, 91-93 on the warm side and ambient temps of 80ish. And I have all the equipment for adjusting the temps (thermostats, dimmer switch things) from when I had my bearded dragons. I had them for almost 2 years so I know how to manage the lighting and ceramic heat emitters. I am just so perplexed by the smell. I haven't used them in a few months, and they were just sitting in the garage during their down time. I might try to get a new one, or maybe a new light fixture, but both of mine smell, so I don't think I'll have much luck.

[MitsuMike]

Buy enough 11" flex watt that will either cover the back wall ornall 3 sides. The go to Michael's and buy a cork board roll. It's 14.99. Tape flex watt to glass and cover the flex watt and glass with the cork board. Cork board should cover the glass from base to lid.
Set the flex watt accordingly to help keep ambient temp up. And cork board helps retain the heat and allow it to dissipate thru the glass.
Will cost less than heat bulbs and won't sink the humidity.

[j_h_smith]

Go to a hardware store and buy the plastic wrap for your windows. It consists of two sided tape that you put on the inside window casing. Then you lay the clear plastic unto the tape. Then you use a blow dryer and the clear plastic will shrink until it's tight and if done correctly you will be able to see out of the window with no distortion. This will stop most of the cold from coming through your windows.

This alone can increase the temps in your room and take away the draft that you are feeling.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[MitsuMike]

Buy enough 11" flex watt that will either cover the back wall or all 3 sides. Then go to Michael's and buy a cork board roll. It's 14.99. Tape flex watt to glass and cover the flex watt and glass with the cork board. Cork board should cover the glass from base to lid.
Set the flex watt accordingly to help keep ambient temp up. And cork board helps retain the heat and doesn't allow it to dissipate thru the glass.
Will cost less than heat bulbs and won't sink the humidity.

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