Okay so I recently purchased a male 2010 pastel BP (from a breeder) and the whole enclosure sha-bang a couple of weeks ago. I kept him in an exo terra screen top (36"x18"x18") terrarium. I had the temperatures and humidity somewhat figured out within a couple of days. However, I found it annoying and unsightly that I had to keep a towel on top of the cage in order to keep in the humidity + I'm not sure if he enjoyed having 3 transparent sides to his cage. Today I sold that enclosure and moved him to a new one- a white PVC (48x24"x12"). It looks real snazzy and matches the living room (and no towels, yay!). The set-up is very basic. Two identical hides on either side of the enclosure (for the hot side and cool side). Large water dish in the middle. Paper towel substrate, at least for now.
On one end is an Exo Terra heat pad (11"x17") regulated by a dimmer switch. Over the pad is his hot hide. According to the digital thermometer it is a nice 90-93 degrees Ferinheight inside the hot hide.
I also use a 150W red heat lamp. The heat lamp is being moved and pointed around in order to raise the ambient air temperature inside the PVC enclosure. The problem is that I must point it inside the cage THROUGH the transparent doors in order to get somewhat of a noticeable amount of heat inside it.
Keep in mind that with ONLY the heat pad (no heat lamp), the section of the enclosure not covered by the pad is approximately 70-73 degrees F-- freezing for a BP.
When I add the heat lamp. ambient air temperatures rise to 75-78 degrees on the cooler side (both in and outside of the cool hide) and on the hot side rise to about 80. The temperature of the hot hide seems unaffected by the use of the heat lamp.
What should/can I do? The way I have currently placed my heat lamp is not a long-term option either. See the photos. Raising the temperature of the room itself is not really an available option either
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