Quote Originally Posted by Chard
hey, just wondering if there are any tricks for maintaining a good temperature in a glass tank. Right now ambient temps hover around 70-72F (live in wisconsin, temps have been pretty low lately). I have a heat lamp which does well enough, but the temp drops quickly due to glass not being very good at retaining heat once I turn it off, plus it saps the humidity. Theres also the under-tank heating unit, attached, which raises the temp a good 5-8 degrees. my substeate is a combination of walnut shell 'sand' (like small pebbles) and ground fir tree bark pellets. Keep in mind, I am a finantially-impared college student, so real home fixits are my forte. Thanks!
Hey Chard,


On the "home fixit" front you could try insulating the tank on all sides but the viewing one. I have used cork sheeting or scrap polystyrene for this in the past - poly is better but doesn't look as nice.

Most people recomend just raising the ambient room temps however to keep the cool end in the low 80's F.

I agree with Gin on the walnut stuff - there are a few reports of nasty problems with it on the forum such as impaction in bearded dragons etc.
Possibly the best solution for a cash strapped student is also one of the best for your tank - newspaper.

I'd also like to ask why you turn the heat lamp off? It might help us give you some more specific advice if you could post some pictures of your tank and the temp ranges it has at the moment in both the cool hides and the warm hides.

There are some great threads in the caging forum on setting up glass tanks so check those out for any ideas as well.

And, as I also have not talked to you before, welcome to the site.



dr del