Lizard Advice

[CAC]

Ok, thanks for the advice
From what ive been reading from the site you posted earlier, they seem to say that haveing birdseed as a substrate is a good idea, so i think id try that, and they can allways have something to eat too.

I think ill have to add everything up, and see how much it will be, and find somewhere for the tank, and then i should be able to get it all ordered...

Thanks alot, Mikey

P.S. Do you have your light on a timer so that it wont come on in the middle of the night if its too cold, or do the stats have one of those built in?

 

[kimbowee]

I have all of my lights plugged into one powerstrip, then the powerstrip is plugged into a timer. My house stays pretty warm so I don't have to worry about night time heat. You could always do like I did for your day lights, then have your evening heat source on another timer to turn on when your main light go off. You should only need a source for night heat if your temps are going to drop below 65 degrees, so probably winters only. I am not aware of any that automatically turn on if the temp drops but I haven't really looked.

During the summer I adjust the lights for 14 hours of light, in November I start gradually cutting the time down to 12 hours a day. Around the end of February I start slowing increasing daylight hours again and by April I am back to 14 hours a day of light. Its your personal preference, but I guess I was trying to mimic nature with the shorter days and cooler nights in winter. During the summer my night temps are in the low 70's.

 

[CAC]

Thanks for all the advice kimbowee
I think i might get a small heatmat, plug it into a mat stat, and then that into a timer...
WHere would be the best place to mount the heat mat? Im thinking back wall, but it wouldnt look very nice...

Mikey

 

[kimbowee]

Personally I've never used heating pads. I didn't think they put off enough heat. Possibly try asking in a reptile forum to see if anyone who uses them could give you some advice on placement or how well they work. From everyone I have talked to they don't use them much, only occasionally to keep night temps up.

I like bulbs because they can be raised, lowered or put on dimmers to get what I need out of them. There are bulbs that heat without light for evening if temps drop. You are going to have to find what works for you to keep your temps consistent.

The most important thing to do is make sure you can regulate temps properly. The basking spot has to get to 125 degrees or possibly a little higher or your new lizard won't be able to thermoregulate or digest food.