My current setup and a question or two...

[ChaosAffect]

First, explanation. It's a couple of 10 gallon tanks with undertank heaters. I know I need to get a thermostat, that's in the plans for the immediate future. I'm also planning on running the wires out through the back so it's not so offensive to the eye.

I was wondering if the plastic covering was even really necessary since they're already pretty well enclosed in the shelves. I'm definitely open to any other observations and advice as well.

[martin82531]

If you don't have thermostats I would unplug your heats pads and work on temps another way.


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[ChaosAffect]

If you don't have thermostats I would unplug your heats pads and work on temps another way.


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Right now I'm only using them when I'm in the room to get the temp up a bit. I'm not going to walk away and leave them on, especially considering it's been pretty warm around here. Any suggestions on a good, cheap beginner's thermostat that'll work for two tanks?

[martin82531]

On a budget I would get this one: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Once money allows I would recommend a proportional thermostat like a Herpstat or Vivarium.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats
http://spyderrobotics.com/

[ChaosAffect]

On a budget I would get this one: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Once money allows I would recommend a proportional thermostat like a Herpstat or Vivarium.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats
http://spyderrobotics.com/

Excellent. That's the one I had my eye on based on some digging I did around here. Thanks for the info!

[martin82531]

I would also recommend on covering the sides and back of each tank, it can be done very cheap using black poster board. One thing you will notice is temps and humidity are hard to maintain with glass setups (it can be done). I would recommend using Eco-Earth as substrate in glass setups.

You should also pick up two identical hides, one for the cool and one for the warm side. I like these, very basic and very cheap. http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

[ChaosAffect]

I would also recommend on covering the sides and back of each tank, it can be done very cheap using black poster board. One thing you will notice is temps and humidity are hard to maintain with glass setups (it can be done). I would recommend using Eco-Earth in glass setups.

You should also pick up two identical hides, one for the cool and one for the warm side. I like these, very basic and very cheap. http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

The top tank is already covered on the sides. I'll snag some stuff to cover the bottom sometime this week. The bottom one also has a sheet of plexi covering about 2/3 of the top to keep moisture in. I'll be getting another sheet for the top tank too. I was really hoping to avoid using any kind of loose substrate due to the extra maintenance, but if it looks like humidity is a real concern then I might have to make the switch.

[martin82531]

If you are looking for something more atheistically pleasing I like this stuff to use on the sides and back of the tanks. They have different images of course. It goes on the outside of the tank, it's very easy to apply, just need water and something to squeegee out the water, a credit card works good.

http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...uctId=10939504


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[ChaosAffect]

If you are looking for something more atheistically pleasing I like this stuff to use on the sides and back of the tanks. They have different images of course.

http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...uctId=10939504


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You know, those always looked kinda tacky to me. The black's much more innocuous.

[martin82531]

Mine didn't turn out too bad




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