What's wrong with my setup?

Here are a few pics of my setup. Bagheera is usually happy and is in her hide but the past few days shes been out and about trying to get out.. She ate today and is already out and slitherring around her cage. any suggestions. she is about as long as the tank. Its a 10 gallon that came with a complete setup from the local reptile store. I use a lamp for heat, and spray for humidity.
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/o...2010/tank2.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/o...2010/tank1.jpg
the rocks are outside the cage

:tears: no pics :confused:

Make sure temps are correct beause she could be stressed

several things i would change...
ditch that thermometor & hydrometer u have.. and get digital ones. Those arent very accurate. I would also go with a uth vs a lamp. The lamp will suck up all the humidity... Just my 2 cents to get you started.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trumetal96

Make sure temps are correct beause she could be stressed

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the temp gauge usually reads 87-90

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnakesvsRodents

several things i would change...
ditch that thermometor & hydrometer u have.. and get digital ones. Those arent very accurate. I would also go with a uth vs a lamp. The lamp will suck up all the humidity... Just my 2 cents to get you started.

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thanks for the input,
question. i have money to buy a UTH but not a thermostat. do i need a thermostat for 1 tank? or would a dimmer be sufficient

Bright lights can be stressful to BP's.In the wild they spend most of there time in a hole in the ground and come out at night.

I agree loose the light and get a UTH controled by a t-stat.
Those gauges are extremely inaccurate, go for the digital ones.

I dont mean to be so critical but you asked:)

pet store info is not very good, they just reccomend the crap they sell there, not necessarily the right/best stuff.

Ok, a few things:

-As was said, ditch those crap dial thermometer and hygrometers and get an Acurite, ExoTerra, or Flukers DIGITAL thermometer/hygrometer. Acurite three-in-ones are about $13 at Walmart or Lowes. Best to get ones with probes for more accuracy.

-Not necessary, but think about switching to aspen or paper. That bark stuff can have really sharp pieces and be hard to clean.

-TWO hides are needed. Those black ones are good, but if you can't get another just like it, get two identical plastic bowls or plant pots and cut them down to about 2-3" high with a single opening.

-Make sure the back and both sides are covered with opaque material. Hard to tell in the pics if they are...

-What is that white thing with writing up in the corner? Is that a UTH?? Heat sources should be under the tank and on a control device. BPs need heat from below, not above like lizards, so lamps are only good for ambient temp boosts and viewing.

That's what I can think of for now... it's late and I had a test today. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Ok, a few things:

-As was said, ditch those crap dial thermometer and hygrometers and get an Acurite, ExoTerra, or Flukers DIGITAL thermometer/hygrometer. Acurite three-in-ones are about $13 at Walmart or Lowes. Best to get ones with probes for more accuracy.

-Not necessary, but think about switching to aspen or paper. That bark stuff can have really sharp pieces and be hard to clean.

-TWO hides are needed. Those black ones are good, but if you can't get another just like it, get two identical plastic bowls or plant pots and cut them down to about 2-3" high with a single opening.

-Make sure the back and both sides are covered with opaque material. Hard to tell in the pics if they are...

-What is that white thing with writing up in the corner? Is that a UTH?? Heat sources should be under the tank and on a control device. BPs need heat from below, not above like lizards, so lamps are only good for ambient temp boosts and viewing.

That's what I can think of for now... it's late and I had a test today. :)

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She took the words out of my mouth...except I didn't have a test today, but I did have cheer practice...lmao :rofl::rofl:

haha no the white thing is a sticker outside the tank.. i can buy a uth because all i have at the moment is the lamp, but i cant afford a $150 thermostat would a dimmer be sufficient?