Regulating temps

I think I might have to change substrates. I'm using coconut repti-bark which seems to be very dry (but doesn't mold easily when misted either. But it's so light, I wonder if it transfers too much heat. Right now with the towel over the warm side, infra-red 150 watt bulb set on thermostat as low on cool side, I'm staying right about 93 degrees on the warm side and 84 on the cool side. If I totally remove the towel, the warm side drops a little below 90, so I'm experimenting with how much of the screen I cover.


What the "ideal" temp. Humidity is fluctuating between 52 and 54%.

Robin

PS, I LOVE this Accu Temp!

Oh, and Kashmire is enjoying the Accu-Temp too, it makes a nice hide on the cool side for him (he's behind it right now).


I feel so much better (and safer) sleeping at night with that bulb as opposed to the regular basking light. I'll switch to regular basking during the day when I'm home, but will keep infra-red for all other times.

Robin

From what I've learned 92-95 on the hot and 82-85 on the cold are good temps. Between 50-60% humidity is good. I mist the soil several times a day because the heat emitter and UTH dry it out. I keep a close eye on things and haven't noticed any mold. The heat buld you're using what brand is it? The fixture it's in is it rated for 150w's? I had an ESU Reptile Red Heat Basking Bulb 100w in an 8.5 inch fixture (don't know what wattage it was rated for, it was given to me) and had it on day and night. This past sunday the bulb blew up. Thankfully Shikara wasn't hurt but it scared the crap out of me. I think that the fixture might have been the problem but I've been told that the bulb I had was not a good product.

It's a Flukers lamp fixture, in the yellow box. Says that sockets are rated up to 150 watts for incandescent bulbs. I just looked at the box for the infra-red bulb, and it's actually 100 watt by ExoTerra, the Heat Glo. The thermostat helps to manually control the reflector spot bulbs with a combined total wattage of 150 watts (100 watts would be the most on that, since I'm simply changing out the bulb). Thermostat is made by Zoo Med and called a Repti-Temp Rheostat.


He refused dinner, but now that it's just the infra-red and most of the other lights are off, he's cruising his enclosure (just as I'm getting ready to go to bed and can't enjoy him)! LOL

Robin

When I first got Shikara he would cruise around his tank in the evenings. I would stay up real late just watching him. Of course I guess it helps that I don't work and get to sleep in if I want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coyotemoon

In the past few days I've removed the heat lamp (was a 100w red heat basking bulb) and replaced it with a ceramic heat emitter.

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What was the reason for changing to the ceramic heat emitter? Was that because of your explosion, or to regulate temps better? I'm thinking I might need to take back the 100 watt and get a 50 watt, I kept adjusting the towel on the warm side to keep the temps from getting TOO high on the warm side and let some of the heat out (and that's with the thermostat set on low with the 100 watt infra-red). My humidity dipped into the low 40's over-night, so I misted it this morning, and of course, Kashmire had turned the Accu-Rite over. The velcro may come in use to mount it on the glass! LOL.

He was the most active he's been since the first day I got him when he was checking out his new "digs". So, I think he was pretty happy with the heat regulation and the new infra-red lamp.

Still turned down a mouse.....<sniffle>

Robin

Serveral people had suggested the CHE to me. Especially after the explosion. So I though I'd give it a try. So far it's working great. During the night time hours when I do sleep the temps go up a bit but the humidity drops to right at 40%. From what I've read on here, as long as the humidity doesn't go below that and stay there it should be ok. I mist the tank evering morning when I get up (which is typically around 11AM). I'm thinking of getting a cheap plastic/rubber raincoat from the dollar store and cutting it up to use on the top of the tank. Might hold in the humidity better.

How long have you had Kashmire? I had Shikara a week before I tried feeding him. To tempt him and get him out of his hide I set the the box the rat was in on top of his tank. He shot out of that hide like an arrow. I don't feed him in his habitat. I have a 10 gal tank for that. This was I can monitor better.

Today is Kashmire's and my 1 week anniversary. So, I know I'm being obsessive/compulsive over him and probably over-thinking things. He'll feed eventually, I just get so envious when I read others bring their babies home and they eat right away. And I look at my little guy and go "what's wrong???".

I know all balls are individuals and no two will behave the same, but still! LOL For a worried mom like me, why couldn't Kashmire be like those who eat right away? I wouldn't worry so much if he was bigger, but he's just a baby!!!! LOL

Robin

Robin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Thermostat is made by Zoo Med and called a Repti-Temp Rheostat.

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Thats a dimmer not a thermostat... just thought id let ya know:)

Well Darnit! My newbie"ness" is showing, huh? Here I was thinking I was doing good! It's still a good tool to have though, right? Right? LOL!


Robin