My current setup and a question or two...

http://i.imgur.com/AY37bjN.jpg

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.

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


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Originally Posted by martin82531

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?

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/

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Originally Posted by 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/

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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 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

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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.

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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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Mine didn't turn out too bad :)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8fbbec54.jpg


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Originally Posted by martin82531

Mine didn't turn out too bad :)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8fbbec54.jpg


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That looks pretty nice. Now that I think of it, I know a guy that does vinyl decals. I bet he could do some cool custom work...

It'd be pretty cool to have a custom background that looked like this:

http://www.washington.edu/news/files...andomeda_2.jpg

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Originally Posted by ChaosAffect

It'd be pretty cool to have a custom background that looked like this:

http://www.washington.edu/news/files...andomeda_2.jpg

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That would be very cool!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by martin82531

That would be very cool!


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Well, I just sent the guy a message. He may jump on it since it'd be yet another market to sell to. I know a lot of people use tubs pretty much exclusively (as I will too eventually), but there's got to be that Show Tank, you know?

I'll let everyone know what I find out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChaosAffect

Well, I just sent the guy a message. He may jump on it since it'd be yet another market to sell to. I know a lot of people use tubs pretty much exclusively (as I will too eventually), but there's got to be that Show Tank, you know?

I'll let everyone know what I find out.

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Agree 100%


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I like the setup, but would definitely add the thermostat asap. So you don't have to keep plugging in and unplugging your heat mat which will probably burn it out quick, and keep your temps from fluctuating up and down up and down. Herpstat is a great investment and keeps your mind at ease that your temps are taken care of.