vivarium questions

crazywolf · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 03:18 PM

I took my colombian red-tail to the vet, just to make sure everything was ok. I don't know the breeder and wanted to make sure that there were no underlying or hidden problems. The advice I received...need to increase temp and humidity and dont use light. Well, i have a ceramic heat emitter and a cobra pad...the temp doesnt go above 80 next to the heat pad and the humidity stays around 50. I mist the enclosure often, but it doesnt seem to last very long. I also have a heat light, which brings the heat between 85-90, but dries everything out faster. There is a large water bowl and a small one. It is a 20 gal tank. The light is 100w and the ceramic is 40w. I placed the heat mat on the side of the tank to prevent burns with styrofoam to prevent heat being lost (per instructions). I don't know what else to do. Please help!![img]null[/img]
[addsig]

#2 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 03:38 PM

Are the lights and CHE on the same side as the heat pad?

And the heat pad is on the SIDE of the tank, not the bottom? That is odd to me.

There is no heat from the bottom at all?

I think I'd increase the wattage of the CHE. How many bulbs/fixtures are on this cage?
There's the 40w CHE and a 100w - what? heat light? or regular bulb?

Covering the screen top with a damp towel will help hold the humidity from misting. 50% isn't bad, but 60% would be better.
[addsig]

crazywolf · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 03:58 PM

The heating pad is on the side, because the desk that the tank is on would be considered a fire hazard to place the pad under the tank. I am getting the polystyrene for under the tank and moving the pad. Was afraid that she would get burned by the pad. I use the CHE at night and the lamp in the day. She likes to hide under the tree/leaves, so i usually place the CHE over that (in the middle) at nite, because of the low wattage. I put the lamp (100w) at the opposite end of the tank (from the pad) during the day. My vet told me that too much bright light will make my snake go crazy?????????? I have wanted a snake for years and now that I have her, I want to make her "home" as close to her natural habitat as possible and make it beautiful too. My husband had gorgeous aquariums and I want to do the same for her.
[addsig]

Countryboy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 05:44 PM

So during the day you have a heat source at both ends of the tank? One end shoud be a basking spot and the other a cooler spot to secape the heat. If the desk is a fire hazard I would just move the tank. Like J said use a damp cloth or you could cover 1/2 the screen top w/ aluminum foil that would help hold the humidity in and hold the heat also.
[addsig]

Relayer · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 08:18 PM

I have a simaliar setup as crazywolf except my heating pad is under the tank. I use a redlight above same side as the pad 100watt. Its actually called Redheat basking light. I have his one hiderock real close to the warm side and another on the cool side. Same with the water dishes. I have yet to see him go to the cool end. My day temp is around 88. Mostly he just stays under the hiderock on the warm side. Should I keep a water dish on the warm side?
[addsig]

crazywolf · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2002, 01:06 AM

I really want to thank all of you for your suggestions!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] I now keep a damp towel over 1/2 to 2/3 of the tank. The CHE and the heating pad are on the same side of the tank. My temp is staying between 85 day and 75 nite and with misting the tank 2-3 times a day the humidity is staying close to 85%. She just had her first shed since bringing her home and looks fantastic!!! My kids are facinated by her shedding. Since she now only has natural light, she seems to be more active. I have seen her on the branches more often and just before she shed, I caught her basking under the CHE on top of the wooden hide bark. She tends to stay under the leaves alot still, but she appears to be more content, less anxious and tends to hide less. Again, thank you all very much!!!!
[addsig]

ratsickle · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 04:13 PM

HI,
I finally went to cobra mats becuase they have a riostat that cuts the temp out in the pad if they are too warm
My tanks that dont have cobra mats I use a reptile thermostat to cut the power when the heat is to high I placed the temp sensor on the floor and attached it with duck tape and the cover it with substrate. I set the temp to 89 degrees and the floor is warm not hot and this saves electricity, and if your heater fails you will not cook you snake.
I am going to show you a couple tricks i uses on them 40 critter cages to get the humidty and heat up in the cages.

Iv'e raised and argie and two guyana's this way and have a baby hog island in one now.
it has an ambient of 82 degrees warmer onthe warm side slightly cooler on the cool humidty 70-90% depending on the water I pour on the floor a cup will hold the tank for 48 hours.
Glass Tanks can really be a pain to raise the boa's in better plan on something bigger

_________________
Aint them BOA'S COOL --

this cage is 4/24/26 l/w/h

east_stingray · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 08:41 PM

Those are some nice setups. I have a baby boa, but it will eventually get bigger, so I would appreciate it if any of you have plans for building bigger terrariums. Thanks a bunch.

-East
[addsig]

Advertisement