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scrambled legs Contributing Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 55 Location: suffolk
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: gecko enclosure in a cold room. advice needed. |
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hi all..
need some good advice here please.
i've got my 18x18x24 exo terra all set up for 2 future females,
i have a 20w heatmat stuck to the right hand side of the enclosure, with a thermostat that is set to 26c. it is stuck to the top half of the glass wall.
the probe for the thermostat temp is taped on the inside of the glass the other side of the mat. it is also connected to a digital thermometer.
i live in a listed building that is always cool. my tortoise room stays at 20c upstairs but the gecko enclosure is in the living room.
ok so the hot end of the viv will stay around 26c, .. the cold end is from 13c to 15c.
gradually increasing to the temp of the warm end.
i know geckos don't like too much heat but i know i've got to increase the temps a tiny bit in the cold end.
i have several heatmats, the next size up is 28 watts and it will take up the whole right side wall. should i try that?
this weekend i'm buying the top canopy for the 5.0 uvb light,
do i need an extra form of heating?
i'm at work right now, the next opportunity i have, i'll post some pics today.
thanks
Neil. _________________ 1.2.0. Geochelone pardalis
0.0.1. Testudo marginata
0.1.3. Kinixys homeana
crested geckos, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, cat, jackapoo, poodle, a gazillion fish. |
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Jase Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 2602 Location: Wolverhampton
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Edit: Never mind.... _________________ A lil bit of Madagascar
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scrambled legs Contributing Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 55 Location: suffolk
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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enclosed are some pics,
firstly, the probe and thermometer probe next to the mat ,
my choice of heatmats, she smaller is 20w and larger is 28w,
one of the viv so far.
hopefully with the weather getting warmer, i shouldn't have too much of a problem getting the enclosure to raise temps.
does anyone use only bulbs and no heatmats? does it work better?
cheers
Neil. _________________ 1.2.0. Geochelone pardalis
0.0.1. Testudo marginata
0.1.3. Kinixys homeana
crested geckos, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, cat, jackapoo, poodle, a gazillion fish. |
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joffy666 Contributing Member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Suffolk
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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I'm no expert, only got my 1st ever gecko a few days ago, but in my 18x18x24 exo terra I have a single 60w infrared bulb on a thermostat to boost temps as the room can get very cold.
My temps are around 73f/23c at the moment.
From my research, lamps are better for cresties. _________________
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Ailurus Captivebred Communist
Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 1626 Location: Hertfordshire, England
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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heat lamps are alot better for crestes than a heater pad, because cresties cannot absorb heat through their underside, so a heat mat is not beneficial, it will heat the air, but not as well as a lamp, a good one would be a red lamp as these produce heat, but also geckos cannot see red lght so wold till appear dark to them at night, it also allows you to see them in the evening.
hope this helps. i am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong, but that is what i have heard/read _________________ Tom
Snakes: :Pantherophis: :Coelognathus: :Lampropeltis: :Heterodon: :Antaresia:
Lizards: :Rhacodactylus: :Pogona: :Goniurosaurus:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Ailurus27 |
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scrambled legs Contributing Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 55 Location: suffolk
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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cheers fellow suffolk person,
like i said above, i'm about to buy the top canopy thing for the exo terra at the weekend, i think i'd rather have a bulb that heated but wasn't bright for them.
i'm sure i'll work out some kind of combination.....
cheers
Neil... _________________ 1.2.0. Geochelone pardalis
0.0.1. Testudo marginata
0.1.3. Kinixys homeana
crested geckos, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, cat, jackapoo, poodle, a gazillion fish. |
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joffy666 Contributing Member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Suffolk
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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I looked into those canopies but don't think they were suitable for the bulbs i wanted to use. I just got the exo terra lamp that clamps onto the edge of the mesh top fine. _________________
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Scott W Site Admin
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 13355 Location: London, England.
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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Neil,
Where do the geckos spend most of their time? Are they able to get close to the side heat mat and feel safe / secure?
I would say that overall the temps you have said will be fine, they will slow right down in the winter but overall they shouldn't have any problems. _________________
Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk |
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scrambled legs Contributing Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 55 Location: suffolk
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all of your replies,
i've been busy at work on the enclosure the last couple of days, i've got all the temps spot on.
scott, the enclosure is vacant so far, i just want everything to be perfect for when i buy some cresties.
i bought the 45cm top canopy yesterday, i spent the afternoon re-wiring the whole thing so that the bulbs had a wallplug each independantly. when i first got it home, both bulbs were wired up to one plug i also got some aluminium plate and improved the reflectors on the underneath.
its perfect now.
now i have a 5.0 uvb bulb on one side and a 25w red bulb on the other.
the uvb is set to dawn and dusk with a 24h timer.
the red bulb is set to a thermostat and keeps the hotter top end at 26-27c.
using an infrared thermometer the lower area is 20c.
thanks for all your input, i'm glad i use a bulb for heat.
cheers
Neil. _________________ 1.2.0. Geochelone pardalis
0.0.1. Testudo marginata
0.1.3. Kinixys homeana
crested geckos, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, cat, jackapoo, poodle, a gazillion fish. |
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