Adult enclosure FINALLY finished and Toothless moved in!

[Toothless]

First off, I'm a girl .
And I just wanted to say that I didn't take any offense to the comment made by Deadly. We are all very passionate about monitors and I think the questions asked were quite valid.
Yes, it is a new enclosure so will take me a few days to get everything temp wise all sorted out, but its well in the process. As of now, the bottom level is 77F with 77% humidity, the middle level is 80F with 82% humidity, and I just moved the device to the top level, so will have to wait for a bit to get the ambient temps up there (this is with two 50 watt halogens over the basking area, one 50 watt on the bottom side, and two fluorescent tube lights.
Not sure what the basking temp is yet, as my temp gun died, and I wasn't able to get to the store today to buy another one as my son got sick. It should be around 140-150 though as I used the same lights/ basking surface, and distance as in the old enclosure. I should have that all sorted out tomorrow though.

He's still hiding, but is normally very shy so I'm thinking it will take a few days until he's ready to come out. I'll shoot some photos here once I'm done supper and upload them for everyone .

[murrindindi]

Hi, just to reafirm; you only need to know the lowest ambient in the coolest parts @ approx 24c (75f), then the surface temp at the basking site @ between approx 50 to 60c (120 to 140f), no other temp matters.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by Toothless

First off, I'm a girl .
And I just wanted to say that I didn't take any offense to the comment made by Deadly. We are all very passionate about monitors and I think the questions asked were quite valid. Thank you for this!
Yes, it is a new enclosure so will take me a few days to get everything temp wise all sorted out, but its well in the process. As of now, the bottom level is 77F with 77% humidity, the middle level is 80F with 82% humidity, and I just moved the device to the top level, so will have to wait for a bit to get the ambient temps up there (this is with two 50 watt halogens over the basking area, one 50 watt on the bottom side, and two fluorescent tube lights.
Not sure what the basking temp is yet, as my temp gun died, and I wasn't able to get to the store today to buy another one as my son got sick. It should be around 140-150 though as I used the same lights/ basking surface, and distance as in the old enclosure. I should have that all sorted out tomorrow though.

He's still hiding, but is normally very shy so I'm thinking it will take a few days until he's ready to come out. I'll shoot some photos here once I'm done supper and upload them for everyone .

you said levels so you have 3 levels then yes? ill wait to see pics so i can understand better lol, i have 3 60 watt halogen floods on my basking are and a heat emitter so maybe add 1 more flood to up the heat a little more on the 2nd level? 80's is a little cool for a warm side. also did you insulate the enclosure? it can help a lot with holding in humidity and heat. the basking spot is great just need the ambient a little warmer. those temps are great for night though. i turn off all my lights and turn on my heat emitter at night to help maintain heat. i also keep my cage warm i only offer a 10 degree temp drop at night for my sav. it goes from almost 100 sometimes 102 during the day to 90 at night and 78-82 on the cool end at night. the borrows are in the 70's as well.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, just to reafirm; you only need to know the lowest ambient in the coolest parts @ approx 24c (75f), then the surface temp at the basking site @ between approx 50 to 60c (120 to 140f), no other temp matters.

so as long as your basking spot is good and you cool end isn't too cold it doesn't matter what the temps are in the cage?

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

you said levels so you have 3 levels then yes? ill wait to see pics so i can understand better lol, i have 3 60 watt halogen floods on my basking are and a heat emitter so maybe add 1 more flood to up the heat a little more on the 2nd level? 80's is a little cool for a warm side. also did you insulate the enclosure? it can help a lot with holding in humidity and heat. the basking spot is great just need the ambient a little warmer. those temps are great for night though. i turn off all my lights and turn on my heat emitter at night to help maintain heat. i also keep my cage warm i only offer a 10 degree temp drop at night for my sav. it goes from almost 100 sometimes 102 during the day to 90 at night and 78-82 on the cool end at night. the borrows are in the 70's as well.

Hi, why are you saying the ambient temp is too cool?
It doesn`t matter what the air temp is so long as the surface temp is within range. The only problem might be if the ambient temps were too high throughout, because they are active in the somewhat cooler wet season, meaning we don`t want to replicate the hotter dry season when they`re least active. The coolest temps are likely to be in the burrows, again, only TWO temps matter; the coolest ambient (air) then the surface temp at the basking site/s, NO OTHER temp matters in the least (bearing in mind not too much ambient heat)!

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

so as long as your basking spot is good and you cool end isn't too cold it doesn't matter what the temps are in the cage?

Exactly! You win the prize (an all expenses paid trip around the world) compliments of Wayne (Infernalis)....Well done!!!

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, why are you saying the ambient temp is too cool?
It doesn`t matter what the air temp is so long as the surface temp is within range. The only problem might be if the ambient temps were too high throughout, because they are active in the somewhat cooler wet season, meaning we don`t want to replicate the hotter dry season when they`re least active. The coolest temps are likely to be in the burrows, again, only TWO temps matter; the coolest ambient (air) then the surface temp at the basking site/s, NO OTHER temp matters in the least (bearing in mind not too much ambient heat)!

so what is your opinion of too much? if i turn down my heat a little to let it drop lower then my basking spot drops too because my ambient comes from my flood lights...

as for saying its too cool, i posted that before i read that it didnt matter, sorry, i didnt know the ambient didnt matter as long as the one side doesn't get too cold... i may be making some adjustments to my temps..

[murrindindi]

It`s not what the ambient temp is around the basking area, that doesn`t matter at all, obviously it will be relatively higher, what would be a concern for me is if someone (nobody in particular) was to keep raising the ambient temps without understanding that the object of the excercise is to try and replicate the conditions they are most active in, and in the wild that`s the somewhat cooler wet season.
We aren`t sure whether they remain inactive at times (dry season) simply because of the higher air temps/lower humidity, or a reduction in prey items (or some other reason)? Dr. Daniel Bennett did see evidence that they do at least move around in their burrows, though he didn`t find out whether they were just basking or perhaps did take prey? They do not brumate.

[Toothless]

Ok, so here are a few pics!
As for the ambients- I'm just measuring all levels for curiousity sake .
The enclosure is not insulated yet, but its something I plan to pluck away on during the next few months (money's tight at the moment and I needed to get him in there because the old enclosure was rotting).
The bottom half is divided into two sections since I had to watch the weight on it for the time being. Its made so that the divider can be easily removed and soil can be added to the second half when the time comes.
Keep in mind I still need to add some more dirt .
Basking spot

Soil area

Bottom level



And Toothless (taken last week).

[Toothless]

Don't mind the tub of roaches- I'm trying to encourage him to come out of his hide .

[DeadlyDesires]

very nice enclosure! how big does it measure? looks very cosey i like the plants hanging down over the basking area to offer some seclusion. its very pretty is there dirt on both sides of the divider? could you take a picture of the outside of the enclosure all closed up so i can see what it looks like around the outside too?

[Toothless]

Its 8 x 4 x 5.
There is only dirt in one half of the bottom at the moment- I have bark chips in the other half.
He likes lots of clutter in his enclosure as he's still pretty shy, especially with anything new. I can feed him with tongues, but if anyone else comes into the room or goes near him, he'll either run and hide, and lunge at them and try to bite- its kindof funny .
The outside looks pretty shabby, but I'll try to get a pick tomorrow.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by Toothless

Its 8 x 4 x 5.
There is only dirt in one half of the bottom at the moment- I have bark chips in the other half.
He likes lots of clutter in his enclosure as he's still pretty shy, especially with anything new. I can feed him with tongues, but if anyone else comes into the room or goes near him, he'll either run and hide, and lunge at them and try to bite- its kindof funny .
The outside looks pretty shabby, but I'll try to get a pick tomorrow.

any particular reason you chose bark chips for the other side instead of sand/soil mix? if you have stated previously i apologize as i didn't go through your other post.

[erichillkeast]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

any particular reason you chose bark chips for the other side instead of sand/soil mix? if you have stated previously i apologize as i didn't go through your other post.

A few post up (where she poster the pictures) she said that it was because she was concerned about the weight.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by erichillkeast

A few post up (where she poster the pictures) she said that it was because she was concerned about the weight.

oh ok lol sorry i didnt see that, just looked at the pictures. i think the weight wouldn't be an issue, i live in an apt and have mine full of dirt. and i have no issues, do you have supports running through the bottom of the enclosure?