Your one stop reptile community - new set-up questions

sokanomx · #1 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 10:00 PM

I've been reviwing the threads and have some questions about setting up my new cage. "Cookie" is moving into a 6'x2.5'x2' home and I need some help making it the freshest.
1st - heating. I've seen a lot about rhp and have the sockets for lights and would prefer to use them or CHE. For this sized cage what wattage CHE would work best. I have two sockets. One on either side of the cage
2nd - esthetics. I would like to add natural beauty and want real plants to grow with her. What plants work best and what are the easiest ways to impliment them.
I have an assortments of driftwood and large bark pieces that I'm going to try and set up but was wondering how people are keeping them from falling. I've tried before but haven't had any luck with tying them down and with this cage being so large the pieces are very large.

I love these forums, especially this one and all the help I've received here. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 10:04 PM

I would say a 250 watt che on the warm side and maybe like 75watt one on the cool side. Of course you will need to have them screened in so tha snake can not touch them and have them set on a dimmer or a thermostat. I still perfer the night time bulbs for reptiles. I use a 150 watt one along with an uth to keep my 40 breeder the right temps for my leos. I would say having some flexiwatt under the cage set on a dimmer or thermostat would be the best idea overall. Cost efficent, safe, no bulky screen cages to cover them up and they last a long time. You may also want to look into radient heat pannels. They are rumored to work the best by some people for heating large cages

sokanomx · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 10:18 PM

Thanks, my cage has a wire screen for one socket. I wouldn't mind getting another for the socket on the other side. Could I use a combination of heat lamp and che? I prefer che for its durability but do miss the red night lamp when I don't have one. I bought the cage with 2 150 watt infared heat lamps. The person I bought it from lost their animal and I think it was because the heat wasn't high enough with just the 2 heat lamps.

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