Ambient Vs. Surface temps heating question - Page 2

.: Laura :. · 09-28-10, 04:09 PM

Since we're on the subject of surface temps, anyone have the 40x40x60 tall exo terra viv? I'm finding it a real pain in the *** to get the floor temps right. I have a heat lamp with a ceramic bulb but can't get the heat to penetrate low enough

was thinking either try a 100w bulb orrr get another lamp and use two orrrr put the heat mat in, problem with that being finding a way to run the cable up through the top without providing Lola with an escape route.

Any ideas?

infernalis · 09-28-10, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .: Laura :.

Since we're on the subject of surface temps, anyone have the 40x40x60 tall exo terra viv? I'm finding it a real pain in the arse to get the floor temps right. I have a heat lamp with a ceramic bulb but can't get the heat to penetrate low enough

was thinking either try a 100w bulb orrr get another lamp and use two orrrr put the heat mat in, problem with that being finding a way to run the cable up through the top without providing Lola with an escape route.

Any ideas?

For Lola??

No need to be so critical if it is. As long as the average temps in the viv are over 65 (F) Any garter snake will thrive just fine.

They are found way up north just short of the snow belts, So they are not at all like tropical animals that need constant heat. Heck You can let that snake go all the way down to just above freezing and it will just hibernate until you warm it back up.

presspirate · 09-28-10, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feebo

What`s hardware cloth? Sounds dodgy... You want a metal cage really....

Hardware cloth is metal, wire actually. pretty sturdy, 3/8" x 3/8" squares. To you all in backward land

that's 31 mm I think.

I was thinking something along the lines of this... http://www.centralmediaserver.com/WI...dwarecloth.jpg

To make something like this...

http://www.stevografix.com.au/brians...cage_large.jpg

Do you think that would work?

presspirate · 09-28-10, 04:58 PM

Could you put the heat mat underneath the bottom, or would it not penetrate?

.: Laura :. · 09-28-10, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presspirate

Could you put the heat mat underneath the bottom, or would it not penetrate?

Nope the glass is too thick

I've tried vertically mounting it on the side and yeah, barely does anything of use

presspirate · 09-28-10, 05:15 PM

Is the lamp mounted atop the cage? If so could you find a way to mount it a little lower? I am not familiar with the tank you are using, but as far as the lamp I am thinking something like this.http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...O-ltQO2ekaE4A=

.: Laura :. · 09-28-10, 05:17 PM

The one I'm using just sits directly on top of the mesh lid

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/img/...clamp-lamp.jpg

presspirate · 09-28-10, 05:27 PM

I'd have to suggest figure a way to use the pad. Garter snakes tend to be more terrestrial I believe. I use a uth for my corns, under a 55 gallon aquarium, (On a rheostat of course) and it heats just fine.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help....

marvelfreak · 09-28-10, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presspirate

I'd have to suggest figure a way to use the pad. Garter snakes tend to be more terrestrial I believe. I use a uth for my corns, under a 55 gallon aquarium, (On a rheostat of course) and it heats just fine.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help....

Laura is your heat pad hooked up to a rhesotat? If so you should be able to just turn it up. Or you might need a bigger heat pad.

Feebo · 09-28-10, 06:11 PM

Those exoterra tanks just glass boxes, If you`ve got what I think you`ve got the glass will be the main problem I think. I`ve just given away ten or twelve of those I`ve been sitting on for years. The combination of glass sides and a glass bottom with a mesh top just allows the heat to piss out all over the place. I think the problem is that rather than the heat not penetrating deep enough, it`s not actually being held in by the tank at all. I would think your only hope of heating anything in that would be a heat mat on the inside of the tank for the creature (what are you keeping in it?) to directly warm itself on. As for getting wire through the top that`s the easy part! Get yourself a washer, no two washers. Put one on the inside of the mesh and one on the outside. Now glue them together. Then cut away/poke through the mesh inside the washer holes and hey presto! A safety "rip stop" mesh hole device whatsit thingy bob

@ Presspirate So it`s not actually cloth at all then! And you think WE`RE backward?! lol The onlt thing I`d say on that is check that that plastic coating can take the heat. It should be ok but I`d certainly test it first me `ol cocker

presspirate · 09-29-10, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feebo

@ Presspirate So it`s not actually cloth at all then! And you think WE`RE backward?! lol The onlt thing I`d say on that is check that that plastic coating can take the heat. It should be ok but I`d certainly test it first me `ol cocker

I'm not sure if I was just insulted or not.

You can call it rabbit wire, chicken wire Hardware cloth, or fencing with little square holes. (Always thought hardware cloth was a bit odd myself, but hey, when in Rome.... or North America.)

At any rate, On my plastic cages I have have 10" holes cut out and have bolted this very same green wire meshy like stuff to it. And have my heat domes sitting directly on it with 150 watt bulbs and it has not melted. It's actually a pvc coating.

Feebo · 09-28-10, 06:13 PM

Problem solved then

Garters are really pretty aren`t they! I was looking at a load of pictures the other day and I can totally see the attraction

.: Laura :. · 09-28-10, 06:21 PM

Thanks Feebs! I have no idea why I didn't think of using washers

Yeah I knew that heating them would be a problem when I bought it, but I got it very cheap so thought it would be worth the hassle. I think it'll be fine with a stronger bulb and the heat mat.

Wayne it is for Lola but she is still sick so I want to get it as warm as possible before moving her in

infernalis · 09-28-10, 06:20 PM

I just keep the whole reptile room hot all the time.

Feebo · 09-28-10, 06:26 PM

Maybe you could line it (on the inside) with thin polystyrene. If you did that, mesh top and all, you`d keep loads more heat in...
I`d be happy to make you a wooden viv if you could get over to pick it up. How far is Hastings from Bath? Not too bad is it? I make dead smart vivariums