Heat lamp questions

[warning]

I need to get the temp and the humidity up. Does anyone recommend a specific type of lamp to help achieve this kind of heat. Do I need both a night and a daytime light? I'm a little confused. Also, is there anything out there to get my humidity up. I do have a glass tank. I keep two wet washclothes on the screen on the top and mist it down but it seems to lower very quickly. Any ideas? Any help would be great. I appreciate all your help!

[dalvers63]

There are a couple ways to get your humidity up. I would suggest covering the screen on the top of the tank with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Cover all of it except by your light. Also, get a water container with a wide top, this will help with evaporation. You can also change to a substrate that holds more moisture, such as coconut bark or repti-bark type.

For lights, on my few tanks that have them, I use infrared heat lamps on a proportional thermostat. I use the red light all the time. For daytime light, they get the ambient room light and that's it. I've never seen a need for a "day" and "night" lamp. Use the red ones and you'll be fine.

[giaach]

I agree with Deb, one substrate I found that bumps the humidity up instantly is coconut bark. Also, If you looking for an ambient heat source I would suggest a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) they are a little more expensive but they last forever. The reason I suggest a CHE instead of a red or blue bulb is because of the lack of light. For me the red bulb would get too hot so I had it plugged into a dimmer, but the light bothered me at night. I changed over to a CHE (ambient temps from 79-84) and theres no light. Also, it plugs into a lamp just like a bulb. Since bps don't need any special light source the CHE works perfectly!

[warning]

Thanks for your help. We ended up getting a ceramic heat emitter and it has really helped increase the temp. I don't have multiple thermometers in the cage but the one I do have is opposite the emitter and on the other side of the cage. It is about 82 so I figure the other side is perfect for his hot spot.

I did use plastic wrap and wrapped the top. It did help. But today we decided to get some plexiglass and put it on the top of the cage (covering about 2/3 of the top). I am hoping this will help.

Thanks for your help. I think it is really helping keep the humidity up. I do have a pretty large water bowl for him. I placed it right under the lamp and it also seems to help a little as well. Thank you so much for your help!

[addsdad]

I wouldn't assume that the hot side is perfect based on the cool side temps. Spend the extra money on a second thermometer and be sure. Just my

[FatBoy]

I would definately suggest an under tank heater. Lamps and ceramic heaters will always give you humidity problems.

[SteelerFreak89]

i had the same problem. the UTHs werent enough so i had to get a heat lamp. i use the red bulbs. i have that hooked into my helix. also keep a towel on the lid if it is screen. i recommend cypress mulch for the substrate. it is awesome at holding the humidity. the only downsides of it is the fact that, that is cutting trees down and that you should put it in the oven to kill the bugs.

[Dracosdad]

Petco and others sell a good device called the TropicAire Humidifier for around $25. Hooked up to a fish tank air pump (sold seperately), it pumps in moist air. You can also cover more than 2/3's of your tank top. You can also do the hide+moss trick: smallish hide with a small hole with moss (cheap and readily available).

[starmom]

How 'bout a radiant heat panel? They will take care of the ambient temps without wreaking havoc on the humidity.