raising temp.

It was going well for about three weeks when all of a sudden there was a drop in temp. outside, which in turn cause the temp. inside the room to drop, and that caused the tank's temp. to plummit as well. It is about 80 on both sides even with a heat mat under one side and a lamp over the middle. I have a feeling the thermometers are broken (i stupidly bought the little black strips) and am getting new ones, but if they aren't, how can i raise the temperatures? She's in a 20-gallon long glass tank.

Well, the little strip thermometers are useless anyhow. Get to Walmart or other similar store and get a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer that also reads humidity. They only cost around $10 and you get more readings and more accuracy than if you throw your money away on the little pet store geegaws.


You can't really adjust the temps until you know what they are to begin with.

you could also do the screen mod thing that is sticked on here where they tape three sheets of aluminium foil to the top with the reflective side down to trap in heat and moisture.

i tried the tinfoil thing and it raised the temp. but the humidity is now about 80%. She's about to shed, so i'm not too concerned right now, but how can i lower the humidity without removing the tinfoil? the waterbowl is quite a good size, but right under the lamp, so most of it evaporates b the end of the day

Hi,


Well once the shed is over I would try a small waterbowl at the opposite end of the tank from the heater and see what that levels out to.

Should give you more of an idea of what your tank can produce range wise.:)


dr del

I assume that you are using your heat lamp in the middle of the enclosure to keep your ambient temp up? I would use a stronger bulb in your lamp and move it to one end or the other of your enclosure. Use a day glow to have more heat distribution or a spot for a warmer basking area and a little lower ambient temp. If you can put your lamp on a thermostat which will control the temp, then you will have an easier time when the weather changes outside to keep enclosure temps steady.