New arrival

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by War Machine

yes of course, basking is my next hurdle. just trying to figure out what material i want to use.

I always prefer to use wood for basking spots. Rock heats up to hotter temperatures farther away, so even if the platform reads a proper temp, the radiant heat may not heat the monitor itself to that temp, due to the distance. In addition, wood basking platforms mean you can keep it closer to the lights, and hotter in terms of radiant heat. If you put a stone basking platform too close, it could turn into a frying pan due to the direct contact with a very hot surface.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

I always prefer to use wood for basking spots. Rock heats up to hotter temperatures farther away, so even if the platform reads a proper temp, the radiant heat may not heat the monitor itself to that temp, due to the distance. In addition, wood basking platforms mean you can keep it closer to the lights, and hotter in terms of radiant heat. If you put a stone basking platform too close, it could turn into a frying pan due to the direct contact with a very hot surface.

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/

My basking area is 2 very flat river stones from my back yard, the bottom stone is cribbed in place with a pair of treated 2x6 planks, the second stone is on top of a plywood frame supported by a pair of 2x4 boards, my lizards commonly will wedge into the 2" gap and park there for a while.

View single post - Littlefoot & Cera

this material works AWESOME... Just lay one on it's side and it offers a hide and a basking spot all in one.

Superior Clay Flue Liners

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/

They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.

Not really sure how i would do that seeing as my basking spot is on a shelf that goes around my cage.. i dont think i could put a stone under it..

[jarich]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.

Im a little confused by this statement. What gives you that impression? Reptiles are after what warms them the quickest so they can go on to other things. Having the heat bulbs from above and the heated rock underneath offers them the best opportunity to warm up quickly. You see this often in nature when an exposed rock is warmed under the sun. Easiest way to find reptiles on a sunny day is look for rocks...

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by jarich

Im a little confused by this statement. What gives you that impression? Reptiles are after what warms them the quickest so they can go on to other things. Having the heat bulbs from above and the heated rock underneath offers them the best opportunity to warm up quickly. You see this often in nature when an exposed rock is warmed under the sun. Easiest way to find reptiles on a sunny day is look for rocks...

I should clarify. For "normal" basking temperatures for monitors, similar to what you find in the wild, rocks are fine and probably beneficial. I am mainly referring to situations where temperatures far exceeding natural temps are being offered. For instance, I have seen ackies offered a 200F basking spot on a wood platform, but I would not offer one that hot on a stone platform.
It comes down to captivity vs. the wild. In the wild, it would be harder for them to find basking temperatures over 130-140, so they lie on rocks to bask at 150-160. (Not sure what temperatures you would actually see in Africa, just using a theoretical example.) In captivity, if higher temperatures such as 180-200F are readily available, then there is no need for them to use a rock, and since rocks absorb and put off more heat than wood, it will be much too hot. With those kind of temperatures on a rock basking spot, you might as well be using a malfunctioning heat rock..

[varanus_mad]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

I should clarify. For "normal" basking temperatures for monitors, similar to what you find in the wild, rocks are fine and probably beneficial. I am mainly referring to situations where temperatures far exceeding natural temps are being offered. For instance, I have seen ackies offered a 200F basking spot on a wood platform, but I would not offer one that hot on a stone platform.
It comes down to captivity vs. the wild. In the wild, it would be harder for them to find basking temperatures over 130-140, so they lie on rocks to bask at 150-160. (Not sure what temperatures you would actually see in Africa, just using a theoretical example.) In captivity, if higher temperatures such as 180-200F are readily available, then there is no need for them to use a rock, and since rocks absorb and put off more heat than wood, it will be much too hot. With those kind of temperatures on a rock basking spot, you might as well be using a malfunctioning heat rock..

i have done this with ackies, argus, and niloticus none of them bar the argus used a temp above 160f.

And i used a rock for the argus's temp.

I gave up on it though as there was no comparable change between wee steves behaviour.