Littlefoot's digs - day 3

[infernalis]

Any suggestions welcome...

I buried some drain pipe hides.. they have dirt on the bottom for a natural floor.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/mouth.jpg

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/pipes.jpg

I dumped in some forest floor.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/leaf.jpg

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/1.jpg

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/2.jpg

And made a basking platform with a ramp, he can hide under it or sit on it.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/platform.jpg

[lady_bug87]

looks really good,

so I assume the hatchlings aren't afraid of large spaces...

[alessia55]

:eek: I feel like you'll never find him in there... him being so small and so much space and leaves and... you get the idea.

[BarelyBreathing]

Be careful with the corrogated plastic, I've seen animals get bad gashes from them. I duct tape the sharp edges. Also, having too many can deter him from digging and burrowing naturally. I'd add a bit more clutter, too, like logs and what not.

[jarich]

How deep is your dirt Wayne?

[infernalis]

The clay will hold a burrow.

I also have some little half log things I am going to set in there.

Still have to clutter it up a bit more.

As for cage size, it will be great, once the wee sprout figures out there's no predators in there it will be like a child at an amusement park.

[infernalis]

How deep is your dirt Wayne?

About a foot now.

The dirt I just dumped in was really wet and muddy, so I packed it down good.

Lots of worms already in it.

[lady_bug87]

the little guy is going to have a LOT of fun digging up tasty snackies

[infernalis]

Be careful with the corrogated plastic, I've seen animals get bad gashes from them. I duct tape the sharp edges. Also, having too many can deter him from digging and burrowing naturally. I'd add a bit more clutter, too, like logs and what not.

Only 2 short pipes. I will sand the edges, duct tape scares me, if it peels back that adhesive is nasty.

[MoreliAddict]

:eek: I feel like you'll never find him in there... him being so small and so much space and leaves and... you get the idea.

my thoughts as well! would be interesting to lose the little guy in his enclosure lol

Wouldn't it also be tough to feed him live crickets or roaches in there? As in wouldn't alot of them die or escape before lil foot ever found them?

[infernalis]

the little guy is going to have a LOT of fun digging up tasty snackies

Yes, I found grubs, some other assorted bugs, with a baby sav in there they won't last long.

[infernalis]

my thoughts as well! would be interesting to lose the little guy in his enclosure lol

Wouldn't it also be tough to feed him live crickets or roaches in there? As in wouldn't alot of them die or escape before lil foot ever found them?


I found a perfect feeding tray to sit in there..

Have to go to an appointment, I'll check in when I get back.

[lady_bug87]

no because once he figures nothing can eat him he's going to be constantly hunting like my crazy Lacertas

[jarich]

Wouldn't it also be tough to feed him live crickets or roaches in there? As in wouldn't alot of them die or escape before lil foot ever found them?

That part actually makes it perfect! He will have to search and scavenge and hunt to find his food. That is always a good thing for a cold blooded animal. Dont worry though, he will find them eventually! These are smart animals, I worry more that mine isnt getting enough stimulation.

I would think about making that dirt twice as deep Wayne. The deeper the dirt, the more they have the ability to have differing levels of humidity (by digging tunnels/burrows). Plus it'll save you having to do it later when he gets bigger...and youre older ;)

[infernalis]

My source is frozen, sloppy right now, in a couple months I can get a truckload, it's winter right now.

[BarelyBreathing]

Sounds great, looks great, is great!

[jarich]

My source is frozen, sloppy right now, in a couple months I can get a truckload, it's winter right now.

Ah! Ya, wasnt even thinking of that. I have to buy everything here so Im incredibly jealous of your free source. If only I had a lizard that lived on concrete and bricks! Id have a million

[presspirate]

Does the cage have a drainage system Wayne?

[beardeds4life]

he will be very happy :)

[Freebody]

i had a tubee like that burried in my cage, if the new little guys is anything like my yoshi, he will dig them up and leave them sitting ontop the ground with out fail. Cage looks awsome so far. How long will that folliage be good in their, lots of leaf litter around here, i might but toss some in for my little guy. I bet he would love crawling around hunting in that.

[SpOoKy]

Looking goo Wayne.
How about adding some retes basking stacks?
I have some with access holes cut through different parts on each level. Mine loves climbing up the one hole to the first level and making his way up to the top. I find he uses them a lot and usually runs right to them if he is startled

[BarelyBreathing]

i had a tubee like that burried in my cage, if the new little guys is anything like my yoshi, he will dig them up and leave them sitting ontop the ground with out fail. Cage looks awsome so far. How long will that folliage be good in their, lots of leaf litter around here, i might but toss some in for my little guy. I bet he would love crawling around hunting in that.


Now that's funny!

I'm sure your guys would love the leaf litter. It lasts a few months for some of my monitors, a few weeks for others.

[Freebody]

you should use these for your heat spots, i use them and they are great, hot ontop, and you put them together for a little heated cave underneath.

[BarelyBreathing]

I've used those before. The only thing I have to say to those is that if you do use them, make sure there is a flat part resting stabily on the floor of the enclosure (not on the surface of the dirt).

[SpOoKy]

you should use these for your heat spots, i use them and they are great, hot ontop, and you put them together for a little heated cave underneath.

Personally I never use anything concrete with my reptiles. Mainly because I have suffered from skin irritation and concrete burns from working with it all day. Also I have was under the impression that concrete gives off low levels of radiation when in direct contact. Not sure how true this is but I don't take the risk.

[BarelyBreathing]

I've never heard this. I'm going to go look it up. Thanks.

[Swany]

Personally I never use anything concrete with my reptiles. Mainly because I have suffered from skin irritation and concrete burns from working with it all day. Also I have was under the impression that concrete gives off low levels of radiation when in direct contact. Not sure how true this is but I don't take the risk.

Concrete only causes burns when its wet, Iv'e never heard of it giving off radiation tho. I certainly hope not Iv'e been working with the stuff for 30 years lol

[SpOoKy]

Concrete only causes burns when its wet, Iv'e never heard of it giving off radiation tho. I certainly hope not Iv'e been working with the stuff for 30 years lol

Fair enough, I just know it hurts my poor hands. Also I wasn't sure about the radiation it is just what I have heard but all in all it isn't something I personally choose to use.

[Swany]

Fair enough, I just know it hurts my poor hands. Also I wasn't sure about the radiation it is just what I have heard but all in all it isn't something I personally choose to use.

If your working with it again Spooky, please wear gloves the chemical reaction really can give serious burns.

[SpOoKy]

If your working with it again Spooky, please wear gloves the chemical reaction really can give serious burns.

Oh been there, felt that. ouch ouch OUCH! Lost all my finger prints for a few weeks.
I did it once and never again. One the plus side I am done with that line of work so it is not an issue anymore :)

[alessia55]

Little Foot arrives tomorrow!! :D I'm so excited for you Wayne :D

[CK SandBoas]

Little Foot arrives tomorrow!! :D I'm so excited for you Wayne :D


Same here!!!:D

[Swany]

One the plus side I am done with that line of work so it is not an issue anymore

I wish I could say the same lol

[Norm66]

If your working with it again Spooky, please wear gloves the chemical reaction really can give serious burns.

I've seen some really bad burns from concrete. The worst I've heard of though was on a guy my wife knows. An engineer. A civil engineer.

A very stupid civil engineer apparently. He poured and finished his driveway by himself wearing sneakers, shorts and no gloves.

Can't wait to meet Littlefoot. :D

[infernalis]

It's almost all set for morning delivery... all I need to do is secure the probe wire, then run it through a conduit to the basking platform. I have a ton of 1/2 inch PVC wiring conduit, and caps for the ends.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/hygro.jpg

I put this little half log in the corner, it will only be good for a month or two, then LF will be too big to get under it.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/log.jpg

With the current lighting all turned on I am getting the following readings in there.

With the probe just outside the centre of the platform.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/low.jpg

with the probe in the centre of the platform.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/peak.jpg

[alessia55]

When/what will be his first meal with you guys?

[Swany]

All set up and ready to rock, bet you wont sleep tonight Wayne lol

@norm. yeah he must have been very stupid. How bad was it ?

[BarelyBreathing]

Mr. Pickles still uses his stupid half log hide thing. He looks like a turtle in it, it's pathetic. He has other, larger hides in his enclosure, but he still uses this one.

[lady_bug87]

I love the name Mr. Pickles

[infernalis]

When/what will be his first meal with you guys?

Unless he starts chomping on the bugs & grubs already living in there, I will not make a feeding attempt for at least 24 hours after arrival.

[infernalis]

Everything is stablized now, I like these readings.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/stable.jpg

[SpOoKy]

Oooooooooooo, it's almost time!!!!

[KORBIN5895]

I've seen some really bad burns from concrete. The worst I've heard of though was on a guy my wife knows. An engineer. A civil engineer.

A very stupid civil engineer apparently. He poured and finished his driveway by himself wearing sneakers, shorts and no gloves.

Can't wait to meet Littlefoot. :D

Once which n we were pouring a patio slab it started to rain. So we covered the slab with a sheet of plastic til we could get out on it. Two guys got on to hand trowel while four of us held the plastic up. One guy dropped his corner and the plastic land on a finishers back. He had terrible lime Burns on his back

[BarelyBreathing]

See if you can increase the basking spot a bit, but at the same time offer a few more options.

Edit: Sorry, that wasn't very clear. What I mean is try and add a few more levels to your basking area, so he has the option of getting up higher/closer to the heat source for warmer basking, but at the same time have the options to bask at lower levels for cooler basking.

[infernalis]

Higher than the 135 peak??

I sealed the edges of the cage better, I could see light, so I went through a whole package of glue sticks..

Here is the difference with the better seal.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/again.jpg

[BarelyBreathing]

135 is fine. I was reading the 127 one. 140 would be better as long as he has lower options.

[infernalis]

Humidity is a stable 65% and ambient has stabelized at 83.5

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/peak.jpg

I know I'm confusing.. here is the peak reading directly under the bulb.

I had to raise the lamp up a few inches, It climbed up to 175 and the thermometer blanked out and said "HI"

Relatively certain it wasn't a friendly greeting either.

[Squirtle]

OMG would you please record a video of when you're first introducing him into his enclosure? I just want to see his reaction lol

[CK SandBoas]

Woot Woot, todays the day!!!!:D

[Jenn_06]

I think my Jo Jo wants to move in lol

[infernalis]

Get this... I turned everything off overnight just to see what I would have.

power was off to the cage for 6 hours 40 minutes.

75 degrees (basking and ambient were the same obviously)

72% humidity.

I think we have us a winner here.

[lady_bug87]

yay! what time is the package coming?

[KORBIN5895]

I'm waiting!

[Gungirl]

I'm waiting!


Me too! I have to take the kiddo to school and as soon as I am back I will be looking for this thread to have a picture! lol

[infernalis]

New thread :) :cool: :D

[lady_bug87]

can we get a link? :p

[infernalis]

maybe after fed ex gets here.. ;)

[lady_bug87]

tell them to hurry up..

[youngster]

This is an exciting day!

On a side note, do you have to go pick them up at a FedEx store?
When I got my first snake I had to drive 40 minutes to pick him up at the UPS store because they couldn't deliver to my house for some odd reason :p

[infernalis]

Every reptile I have ever had shipped was delivered at the door.

[youngster]

Lucky duck...

[SpOoKy]

Sitting here at work waiting!!!!!!!!!

[alessia55]

C'mon Fedex..... anxious here!! I definitely thought he would've arrived by now :suspicious:

[CK SandBoas]

Waiting with baited breath, here at work :)

[KORBIN5895]

Call fedex and tell them its a biological bomb and only you can diffuse it.

[infernalis]

Put in the water dish.... come on fedex!

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/water.jpg

[KORBIN5895]

Okay! Not cool! I saw the pick loading and totally thought he was there!

[alessia55]

C'mon Fedexxxxxxx!!!!!

[KORBIN5895]

Shouldn't that have been delivered by 11 am? Time to start complaining!

[MoreliAddict]

OMG would you please record a video of when you're first introducing him into his enclosure? I just want to see his reaction lol
i second this request!

good luck w/ LF, wayne

[SpOoKy]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I thought for sure I would come back to the computer ans see LF.

[infernalis]

I just called the vendor.. got an answering machine, have no tracking number.. now what?

[SpOoKy]

I would give it until 1:00pm. I have a good feeling about 1:00 :)

[alessia55]

I just called the vendor.. got an answering machine, have no tracking number.. now what?

WHAT? Are you kidding me? They better deliver

[youngster]

I say, 12:47 is when the LF will come!
I can sense it...

[KORBIN5895]

Regardless of the time wasn't there an 11 am guarantee?

[infernalis]

Like I said, answering machine and no tracking number.

[Gungirl]

Ohh if he doesn't show up I would be leaving some not so nice messages.

[kernel]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!! :unhappy:

[alessia55]

Can you e-mail whoever is sending you littlefoot?
Can you call fedex? They can reverse look up your address and see if they're expecting to deliver there today.

[Kayla90]

It's now 2pm.. Any updates Wayne?? Has he arrived?

[MoreliAddict]

has wayne gone silent? he could be unpacking LF right now http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/pfffttt.jpg ...

[SpOoKy]

has wayne gone silent? he could be unpacking LF right now

Let's hope so!!! :)

[KORBIN5895]

No he hasn't arrived yet......

[infernalis]

Shipping postponed one day..

[youngster]

Awwwweee!!!!
Darn, but atleast they didn't scam you or anything

[lady_bug87]

is LF going to be ok in his carrier until then?

[infernalis]

Littlefoot is still in his cage at the store ;)

[lady_bug87]

yea I thought of that after I posted I think I had a brain fart

[BarelyBreathing]

That's disappointing.

[CK SandBoas]

Awww, shoot! Sorry to hear that Wayne, but at least LF is not in limbo somewhere.

[SpOoKy]

Awww, shoot! Sorry to hear that Wayne, but at least LF is not in limbo somewhere.

Agreed, the first thing I thought was the poor little guy was stuck at some UPS warehouse.
Well it will be all the sweeter when he does arrive. sorry Wayne :(

[MoreliAddict]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/images/smilies/th_sign01951.gif
Why does everyone seem so upset? LF is safe which is what's important, and will be arriving tomorrow...

[CK SandBoas]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/images/smilies/th_sign01951.gif
Why does everyone seem so upset? LF is safe which is what's important, and will be arriving tomorrow...

We're not upset, we were just anticipating Wayne and Dorothy's joy at receiving their little guy. :)

[infernalis]

Live grass!!! yes.. I hacked up my lawn, but we have live grass in there.

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/grass.jpg

This conceals the opening to the hide,

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/grassOpen.jpg

For a comedic touch, this is getting mounted on the wall inside.

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/sign.jpg

If the weather is nice again tomorrow, I will go out back and grab a semi log / branch to put inside as well.

[alessia55]

Looks great Wayne... how on earth are you ever going to find him in there? :hmm:

[CK SandBoas]

You are doing what you need to make sure your new little guy is healthy and happy in his new home. I'd hack up my lawn too, in order to provide whatever was necessary for my animals health and security:)

[BarelyBreathing]

That looks AWESOME!

[infernalis]

Looks great Wayne... how on earth are you ever going to find him in there? :hmm:

For a newborn, hiding equals security and health.

If I have to wait and enjoy him later, then so be it.

He will come out to eat, drink and bask.

But he needs to be able to run for cover and hide when he wants to.

[KORBIN5895]

This thread just made me think of the song all nightmare long by Metallica.

[kernel]

Looking great! He's going to be in sav heaven!

[beardeds4life]

He will have a great home with you!!!!!!!

[SpOoKy]

Cage looks great Wayne :)

[millertime89]

this looks great Wayne, the ambient readings when power is off is a fantastic sign as well.

[alessia55]

Out of curiosity, when will that thread about the previous cage go up?

[infernalis]

Out of curiosity, when will that thread about the previous cage go up?

I have been digging through piles and piles of old photos..

It gets depressing, so I take a break, find something pleasant to distract my thoughts...

It will be here.. I promise.

Our friend Kernel had to be exposed to a picture of chomp dying on another forum, that was upsetting too, because looking at that thrust it back in my face too when I posted it.

[alessia55]

I understand. Take your time. I was just wondering, tis all. No worries :)

[KORBIN5895]

I have been digging through piles and piles of old photos..

It gets depressing, so I take a break, find something pleasant to distract my thoughts...

It will be here.. I promise.

Our friend Kernel had to be exposed to a picture of chomp dying on another forum, that was upsetting too, because looking at that thrust it back in my face too when I posted it.

Who posted the original pic?

[infernalis]

I found that the tighter I sealed the cage, the more humidity it held without help.

Last night I turned on the cage lights and turned off the room lights, then I checked for leaks by light and found several hairline cracks, as soon as I sealed them down, the humidity went up a full 15% higher.

If any moisture is evaporating out into the room, it's of no benefit to the Monitor. Right now my cage is sustaining a 70% humidity level with the basking lights blaring and the dirt in there is staying nice and moist.

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/glue.jpg

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/doorstrip.jpg

[infernalis]

Who posted the original pic?


I was engaged in a debate about humidity, I shoved the picture out there to make my point, Kernel is just an innocent bystander who happens to be a member there too.

[lady_bug87]

sounds fancy LF will be a lucky baby

[beardeds4life]

I know I almost want to crawl in there.....

[kernel]

I have probably said this 100 times, but the cage is looking great. Every time you post new pics, it looks even better. Yea, were both members on 2 other forums and unfortunately I had to see that sad pic of Chomper during his final hours :(

[infernalis]

I hacked out more of my lawn... more grass.

[lady_bug87]

this spring your lawn is going to look beau...ti.....ful hahaha

[infernalis]

The cave openings are circled... I have till next week for those roots to bind together, once it grows into a solid patch of sod, he can dig a tunnel, but it won't hardly hurt that grass.

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/hide.jpg

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/hide1.jpg

[youngster]

Wayne it looks great. He's really going to have a long, joyful life :)

[beardeds4life]

you should leave the lights on for 18 hours a day and water daily-give them a lot of water and they should start rooting very deeply

[infernalis]

I just shoved the hygrometer into one of the hides for a reading. I will leave it in there for an hour and check it.

I have 10 seconds before it recalibrates, so that's plenty of time to read it.

The basking probe is in the second tunnel, so I can view the temps inside the caves too.

[beardeds4life]

Nice! are they set up so you can read them without entering the cage? If not you should make it like that

[infernalis]

can't do that, but the hygrometer will be on the wall, one at each end.

[infernalis]

The humidity inside the tube peaked out the meter. it's over 90%

The temps are 72 inside both tubes.

[Swany]

The humidity inside the tube peaked out the meter. it's over 90%

The temps are 72 inside both tubes.

With my vast knowledge of savs. Is that a good thing ?

[infernalis]

Nirvana mate.. exact replica of what nature intended for the wee guy.


http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/hygrometer1.jpg

[Swany]

Excellent. Any word on when the new additions arriving ?

[infernalis]

....not yet mate..

[DragonsEye]

The cave openings are circled... I have till next week for those roots to bind together, once it grows into a solid patch of sod, he can dig a tunnel, but it won't hardly hurt that grass.

Wayne, out of curiosity, what spectrum of lighting are you using? I know the most important thrust is giving LF what he will need, but you mentioned wanting the grass to become established. From the pics, the lighting looks really yellow. For optimal plant growth, the blue and red ends of the spectrum are generally much better.

[infernalis]

Wayne, out of curiosity, what spectrum of lighting are you using? I know the most important thrust is giving LF what he will need, but you mentioned wanting the grass to become established. From the pics, the lighting looks really yellow. For optimal plant growth, the blue and red ends of the spectrum are generally much better.


This grow light is directly over the grass patch.
http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/tube.jpg

[DragonsEye]

Ah! And what is the distance between the light and the grass?

[infernalis]

Just under 3 feet, I think I'm goung to go agead and get a big spiral grow light too and hang it over the grass.

Look what I just found.....

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/digs.jpg

[alessia55]

where is that?

[CK SandBoas]

where is that?


You beat me to the punch, i was about to ask the same thing.:)

[infernalis]

hit the linkback in the hellow bar at the very bottom of this page.

[alessia55]

hit the linkback in the hellow bar at the very bottom of this page.

no idea what that means

[infernalis]

maybe only mods can even see it.

Littlefoot’s Digs | The Reptile Report (http://thereptilereport.com/littlefoots-digs/)

********************there's your link************************

[Gungirl]

Thats pretty neat..

[Maclyal]

I don't see a yellow linkback bar at the bottom of my page.
am I missing something or do I just not have one?

[CK SandBoas]

That is awesome Wayne!:)

[Gungirl]

I don't see a yellow linkback bar at the bottom of my page.
am I missing something or do I just not have one?

You aren't missing anything. Only moderators can see that. Wayne posted the link in the post a few above yours.

[Maclyal]

ok. I know I'm getting old, but I didn't think I was going blind too.:no:

found the link. thanks

[KORBIN5895]

You are famous! This may just make it all worth the blood sweat and tears.

[infernalis]

Just added more grow lights for the grass....

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/growL.jpg

getting greener..

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/turf.jpg

[Freebody]

using UV lights for your sav eh? i have been thinking of putting one in my cage, just not 100% of if its needed, got any info you could share to help convince me on the subject? i think i might anyways, its not like its going to do any harm, but they need replacing every 4-5 months tops and they are costly here, thats if they done burn out on me.

[alessia55]

Wayne can you post a photo of the whole enclosure? I see parts of it here and there.. the grassy side, the basking area, the water dish.. I'd be interested if you could post a pic of the whole thing in one shot :yes: Looks great. Any update on LF's arrival?

[BarelyBreathing]

using UV lights for your sav eh? i have been thinking of putting one in my cage, just not 100% of if its needed, got any info you could share to help convince me on the subject? i think i might anyways, its not like its going to do any harm, but they need replacing every 4-5 months tops and they are costly here, thats if they done burn out on me.

I use UV-B lights in all of my monitor enclosures. They use it, and I HAVE noticed that it makes a tremendous difference in their colors (especially reds and yellows).

[Freebody]

hmm, ill try it out then, maybe even pick one up on my way home tomorow.

[infernalis]

That 4 foot tube was $10 at wal mart, it says "aquarium/grow light" on the box.

The spiral grow light was $6.99 again at wal Mart.

Not too bad...

[Freebody]

i used the screw in ones from the pet store, they are like 35$, looks like I will have to wire up a florecent fixture as well then. thx for the tip. funny i didnt think of it, i buy my infared heat lamps ats home depot lol i bet they sell the threaded one their as well, most likley a few bucks more , but i have an empty fixture in the cage wired up and read to use already.

[KORBIN5895]

They are about 25 bucks at the pet store here. Hey freebody try Canadian tire or Kents.

[Freebody]

oh and i realy like your setup wayne, its clear im going to have to step up to the plate like you have , and really take the bull by the horns :)

[BarelyBreathing]

Be careful with aquarium lights, Wayne. They're made to go through water, and have been known to cause eye infections in reptiles. Keep a close eye on his eyes, and if you see swelling, discharge, or general not opening his eyes, turn it off immediately.

[kernel]

What are you going to use to provide UVB for LF?

[infernalis]

Be careful with aquarium lights, Wayne. They're made to go through water, and have been known to cause eye infections in reptiles. Keep a close eye on his eyes, and if you see swelling, discharge, or general not opening his eyes, turn it off immediately.


Will this work?
http://www.chompersite.com/LF/F40.jpg

[AaronRiot]

The enclosure's looking great! I love how LF will be able to dig and burrow under rooted grass, that's awesome!

In regards to lighting, and a clear simple explanation of types of bulbs and spectrum's and what's what have a look at this:

Indoor Plant Lighting (http://retirees.uwaterloo.ca/~jerry/orchids/light.html)

I found it very enlightening... for instance full spectrum at equatorial noon is 5500k...

Unfortunately there isn't much on UVA/B/C and it's affect on reptiles in the article but it explains a few key points about (UV) light and how the (UV) bulbs work.

[BarelyBreathing]

I'm sorry, but I really don't have any experiences with plant lighting. Perhaps somebody else is better equipped to answer this question than I am.

[DragonsEye]

I am unable to advise about the hazards of the aquarium lights that BB mentioned. I have never heard of them causing issues with animals, but then I've never tried them either.

Wayne, if getting the grass growing well and keeping it reasonably healthy is something you are striving for (and it seems like it is), then you will need rather intense light. However, IME with plants, "grow lights" are not generally worth the $. You can do just as well with "daylight" fluorescent bulbs or a combination of "cool" and "warm" bulbs.

The biggest issue I foresee may be light intensity as many grasses are very high light plants. However, some grasses are far more shade tolerant than others and some are more adaptable than others. Light intensity falls off with the square of the distance from the light source. (So the light intensity 2ft away from the bulb is only 1/4 as strong as it is 1ft away from the bulb and so forth.) Judging the intensity of the light you're currently providing "by eyeing it" is unfortunately not possible. The human eye is quite a sensitive instrument. The intensity of light required for photosynthesis is much higher than that needed for the eye to see. The good news is that there is a simple method for at least getting a rough idea of light intensity. If upon positioning your hand about an inch or two above the surface of the grass you see a dark, sharply defined shadow, then you are providing light of strong intensity at that level/height. If the shadow is lighter with a 'fuzzy' outline, light intensity is closer to dappled shade. If a shadow is not visible at all, intensity is roughly equivalent to full shade or even deep shade.

I use four 40W "daylight" bulbs (two shoplight fixtures) on each level of my plant rack to grow some of my orchids -- some of which are higher light plants. However, these high light plants are only an inch or two from their leaves actually touching the bulbs. As the plants grow taller, I either raise the height of the lights (they are on chains) or -- if the plant was originally a small one -- remove the overturned pot I had it sitting on and replace it with a shorter "booster seat". I was thinking you might be able to try something similar with LF's abode. Namely, having the lights hung by chains so you could start out with the lights closer to the ground and then raising them as the grass gets taller and LF gets bigger. HOWEVER, here's where my ignorance of savs comes in, I don't know if LF would attempt to jump up onto the lights if they were intially hung, let's say, 1ft above the ground.

Hope this didn't bore the crap out of everyone.

[infernalis]

I have that one plant light, then the spiral and the flood.

The two edison base (E-27) lamps are 6500K daylight bulbs. The 2700K cool white bulbs just look yellowish to me.

http://www.chompersite.com/husbandry/6500K.jpg

[AaronRiot]

2700K should look yellowish, ~5500K is White/Sunlight, so more than 5500K you're seeing more blues and less than 5500K you'll be into the yellows and reds.

I'm no expert but I'm sure the grass should do fine with that spread colour-wise. I cannot attest to whether it will be "enough"... If not it's easy to adjust you have a whole lawn of hackable product that comes with nice roots and dirt for the wee one to root through.

There are a lot of neat LED light options now too that offer a higher density of light in a smaller space with less wattage. Might be worth some future research for long term use.

Regardless of what you go with, you have the right idea paying attention to the Kelvins now.

[infernalis]

My user name on the laser forum is "Photonaholic" .. No stranger to Kelvins or nanometers.

Aside from biology, I am somewhat of a physics geek too.

I have already started using L.E.D. bulbs elswhere, and I think I like the big par lamp with the red/blue LED array, it's cool to the touch, so if Littlefoot gets near it, no problem.

http://www.chompersite.com/images/ledgrow.jpg

[infernalis]

Wayne can you post a photo of the whole enclosure? I see parts of it here and there.. the grassy side, the basking area, the water dish.. I'd be interested if you could post a pic of the whole thing in one shot :yes:

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/10ft.jpg

[alessia55]

wow it looks FANTASTIC, Wayne :yes:

[kernel]

Looks awesome Wayne! Are those garters you have on top?

[infernalis]

Mostly, three tanks have milk snakes in them.

[Norm66]

That's going to be grand for Littlefoot. Nice job Wayne.

[DragonsEye]

Lookin' good!

[CK SandBoas]

That looks so great Wayne, can't wait to see Littlefoot making himself at home in there :)

[AaronRiot]

Haha those "UFO" lights are awesome! A friend of mine swears by them with his horticulture work.

And your build looks top notch, it's good to see the full angle zoomed out. Well done.

I am somewhat into physics myself, though not on any serious or work-related level..

[infernalis]

Must be doing something right with the grass. In just one day the difference in the green colour is quite big.

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/green.jpg

For comparison, yesterday.....

http://www.chompersite.com/LF/turf.jpg

[beardeds4life]

wow that grass looks great!!!

[millertime89]

Wow! That's some crazy green Wayne! Hopefully LF gets there soon so (s)he can start enjoying it!

[TeaNinja]

shows how often i'm around. i have NO idea what littlefoot even is.

[millertime89]

shows how often i'm around. i have NO idea what littlefoot even is.

Wayne's new Sav since Chomper passed.

[TeaNinja]

sad. my condolences. another thing i didn't know.

[millertime89]

yeah, there's a few threads about it floating around. Really sad story.

[BarelyBreathing]

The grass looks great, Wayne. I'm looking forward to lots of videos on Littlefoot ripping it apart! :D

[CK SandBoas]

Now that is some healthy looking grass! Littlefoot is going to love digging through that! :D

[shaunyboy]

what a huge difference in the grass after only 1 day,can't wait to see it in a week or two

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

It thinks it's spring time. When I dug it up, it was cold and we are still in short light cycles outdoors.

In here it's warm and long light cycles of intense light has woke it right up.

[kernel]

Wow, the grass looks great Wayne!

[infernalis]

This thread keeps moving down.. I will combine all the best posts into a sticky thread. (The enclosure discussion) for reference.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/91028-littlefoot-cera-new-video-pictures.html

Thread continued above... click the link.