please review my setup

[Robertn22]

sorry for another thread about this i just want my baby in optimal conditions at all times.

20 gallon terarium

i changed out my 150 watt bulb for a 50, and added a UTH with a temperature probe and a light dimmer from home depot.

warm side ambiant air 83 degrees

cool side ambiant air 76

probe from UTH- between 94-95

main concern was humidity here in the desert so i blocked the top of the screen with tile, enough to circulate air though, added some moss just sprinkled a little bit on the floor, and went to a lower power bulb and UTH, it seems to be holding for the whole day now which is great, i have a repti mister and do a spray once or twice a day.


another question i had which i couldnt find, is the uth supposed to be positioned under the hide? i have it in the front left corner of the tank, and the hide is in the back left, it overlaps under it a bit but still has enough room to sit in between the hide and the front glass

[Morris Reese]

Yes, UTH directly under the hide.

[OsirisRa32]

I would even up the bulb to a 75 watt....also your UTH needs to be plugged into a THERMOSTAT not just a thermometer....thermostat controls the power to uth...thermometer just measure temps...

also if you are using a glass tank i would recommend aluminum foiling the outside mesh top of the tank it will greatly help with keeping humidity levels stable.

[Robertn22]

ok il try to unstick it and move it directly under the hide,

and i mentioned i have the UTH plugged into a light dimmer switch from home depot used as adjustment , still adjusting it a bit using a probed thermometer between the glass and substrate

thank you! and will do with the 75 watt bulb, it sucks cause it kills humidity

[KMG]

For a 20 gallon tank a 50 watt bulb is fine if the temps you listed are constant. A 75 watt bulb is going to create a hotspot that is to warm in such a small tank plus like you know it will kill the humidity. I say if its not broke don't fix it.

On my cool side of a 40 gallon tank I have a 60 watt bulb for added heat cause I keep a cold house. Ihave the fixture on a lamp stand and have it raised a few inches from the screen because it was creating a hotspot that was to warm. A 75 over a 20 gallon would certainly need a dimmer to bring it into a proper range or a lamp stand to create distance to drop the heat reaching the tank floor.

[Morris Reese]

I have a 20L with a 75 watt bulb. The hot side is at 87 and the cool side runs around 80. I have a UTH with a thermostat between it and the glass. The thermostat is set at 98 and the floor temps run around 89 even with the light shining on the substrate. I have a piece of 20 gauge sheet metal over the screen with a section cut out right where the heat lamp sits. The humidity is usually between 55-60. I can raise the humidity during shedding to 65-70 by misting daily or wetting the moss a little.
This is what I have found that works for me. Everyone's combinations will vary depending on where you live and the indoor temps you keep. I bought 50 watt bulbs to find out I had to go back and get 75 watt. You may have to do the same to yours. Like I said everyone's will be a little different.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I would even up the bulb to a 75 watt....also your UTH needs to be plugged into a THERMOSTAT not just a thermometer....thermostat controls the power to uth...thermometer just measure temps...

Please RE-read......................


Robertn22, I would get the temp down on the UTH a couple degrees. You are on a dimmer so there is no real control of your temp. If the room warms up a little so will the heater.