Keeping heat in...

[Nick429255]

Hello all. Quick background info: 8 month old male panther. 18x18x36 all screen cage. 75w heat light in a dome, 18" repti glow, standard dripper. 1 live plant, flexible vine ran all throughout cage, his hottest basking spot is about 6 inches from the bulb.

Here's my concern:My apt heating is kind of poor and doesn't work too well. I have the cage in between two windows and gets a tad bit cool/drafty. I'm wondering if there is any kind of reflective insulation type material that I can put on the outside of the screen, maybe on like 2.5-3 sides of the cage to retain the heat better. It's about mid-low 60s at the bottom of the cage where there is no heat light support. Would this also help with humidity retention? Thanks guys!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

You can try just using a shower curtain on two sides of the cage. That should help with humidity. If it gets too cool in that room I'd go with a small portable space heater. Just set it on low and put it away from the cage.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."I have the cage in between two windows and gets a tad bit cool/drafty."...this can be a bad place for a cage...leaves the chameleon prone to fungal and respiratory infections due to the chilling affect of the draft from the windows.

 

[atsutane]

I throw a towel around my cage, it keeps humidity and heat in for me

 

[Leilaskeeper]

You can try just using a shower curtain on two sides of the cage. That should help with humidity. If it gets too cool in that room I'd go with a small portable space heater. Just set it on low and put it away from the cage.

I use the shower curtain too. Works like a charm

 

[sandrachameleon]

Many options, including:
Move the cage to a room that has a better environment.
Use a towel, blanket, bed sheet, plastic, insulating blanket (like used to cover plants), or similar to cover the back and sides.
Dont use a screen cage - they suck at heat and humidity retention.
Increase ambient heat.
Cover windows with plastic.
Use caulking to seal where drafts are coming from.

 

[draetish]

Many options, including:
Move the cage to a room that has a better environment.
Use a towel, blanket, bed sheet, plastic, insulating blanket (like used to cover plants), or similar to cover the back and sides.
Dont use a screen cage - they suck at heat and humidity retention.Increase ambient heat.
Cover windows with plastic.
Use caulking to seal where drafts are coming from.

Dont use a screen cage - they suck at heat and humidity retention.

I'm confused. please tell me, then why everyone uses them.

 

[atsutane]

technically the glass terrariums that some people recommend are better at heat and humidity retention while keeping the needed airflow all a part of the cage... these cages work well, however, most people work with screened cages because they use live plants to boost humidity, makes the cage more climb friendly, and allows more unrestricted airflow.

problems i see with the glass terrarium set up is since air is pulled up from the bottom, where debris and other material accumulate for bacteria to thrive on, cause stale or bad air to flow through the cage,

that is why i have a screened cage, although 60% is blocked off with a towel at night and only 40% durring the day. my humidity stays around 40 unless the mister goes off (every hour) and it will peak at 70-80 and dry out before the next misting

dont have a problem with heat either, 88 in the basking spot and 68-70 around the rest of the cage. though my cham loves comming out and climbing all over everything. the room temp is around 74 and she seems to do fine with that

 

[RPCV]

I picked up a couple sheets of Elmer's foam poster board (available at wallmart, target, office depot, etc.) for about $3 per 30 x 24 inch sheet. Come in a variety of colors. Easy to cut to size with a razor. Then attached them to two sides of the cage using velcro so they can be removed during the summer then put up again next winter. Appears to work well and resist moisture (although I've only had them up for a couple weeks).

If you really want to keep heat in perhaps polyisocyanurate insulation on 2 or 3 sides. This is sold at any Home Depot or Lowe's type store. Called by a number of names such as foam board insulation, rigid insulation, poly insulation, etc. Also cheap, durable and water resistent. Would retain more heat (perhaps too much so be careful) and moisture. More sturdy than poster boards but would not look as nice.

 

[OldSkoolxReasons]

Lots of people use screen because lots of people live in areas where screen is adequate in the US. Some people houses are impossible to use screen cages without a humidifier. I know many northeast/ upper-midwest keepers who use cage with screen tops/fronts and ventilation holes on the bottow with pvc bard sides to keep humidity in. They just clean them twice a week. In those it is a breeze to keep humidity in and keep a higher ambient humidity all the time. however my house is good for humidity and heat so I don't use them but would if I has too.

Justin

 

[sandrachameleon]

Dont use a screen cage - they suck at heat and humidity retention.
I'm confused. please tell me, then why everyone uses them.

Everyone does not use them. I dont.

Screen cages are very good if your climate is naturally close to their environmental needs.

If however it is very dry or cold, you'll have more difficulty maintaining the appropriate environment in a screen cage. They release heat and humidity too quickly.