New, and need some advice

[CraftingDreams]

Here is a picture that was from about a month ago. The plants you see in the background were the only plants in there, and its just right behind him.. it looks like a lot, but it really isn't.. they are not very strong fake plants either.. just a hanging decoration or filler from what I can tell. The wood is the piece that goes from side to side in the tank.. the other side of the tank has nothing but that wood going through it.. In this picture, you can see the shed on his head.. it was a bit thicker then it looks...

I cant seem to get it to turn the photo right side up.. even though its right side up on my computer..LOL..

 

[Andee]

The mercury vapor bulbs, which are the combination basking/uvb bulbs are usually to hot for a jackson. Usually jackson only need a 60 watt basking bulb depending on your temps and such... and usually a linear uvb is best.

 

[CraftingDreams]

Andee, and the funny thing is, we have seen him up under that combination bulb a few times.. literally hanging onto the screen directly under the bulb.. perhaps because there is nothing he can climb on right there?

I have to see what hoods I am getting this weekend.. I know there are like 8-10 hoods im picking up and some new bulbs.. just not sure what they will be. I am anxious to get him home, but need to get this cage straight, and its hard not having a car at my disposal.. I have to stop at the nursery this weekend as well .. he has a pathos on bark? or a branch or something. He said it was stunning.. but at $40+... not sure that will be included this week... I know he has a big beautiful hanging Pathos that is very colorful .. that's not too pricy.. add to that a few other plants and a vine from the store.. he should be good in that department.

 

[Andee]

They usually climb screens when they don't have enough things to climb on, it is a common problem that can result in burns and ripped toenails. When you get a basking bulb I would make it 60 watts cause that will most likely hit the right temps you could possibly go lower if it's too hot still... I don't think you'll need to go higher. But who knows for sure. But when you get a basking bulb, make sure you raise it a little bit, I usually go to home depot or something, buy some cinder blocks for really cheap that have been broken during shipping and that aren't too thick and not huge so they won't put too much stress on the screen.

 

[CraftingDreams]

Andee,

with the UVB, is it ok to use the ReptiSun 5.0 compact? That's what they had in the lamp they gave me.. its blown.. they had that and a 75W.. this cage is only 16x16x30.. so I imagine that was way too hot. I do have a brand new 50w basking.. its an Intense Basking spot bulb from Exo Terra... since I will be using the fogger and misting the cage until I get a mister set up.. should I look at the line of lamps and bulbs made for a more "wet" environment? Or doesn't it matter?

 

[Andee]

Linear uvb bulbs are always better but compact bulbs can work. As long as they aren't the coil kind... I think reptisun is the kind that works, it's more tube shaped? You will probably end up, upgrading to a linear later on just because the linears allow for more uvb accumulation because they take up more space. However for now the compact should totally work as long as it's the right kind.

 

[CraftingDreams]

Linear uvb bulbs are always better but compact bulbs can work. As long as they aren't the coil kind... I think reptisun is the kind that works, it's more tube shaped? You will probably end up, upgrading to a linear later on just because the linears allow for more uvb accumulation because they take up more space. However for now the compact should totally work as long as it's the right kind.

Ya, this one is a Reptisun 5.0 UVB mini compact fluorescent 13W AC120v/60Hz


She said it seems as though they would blow easy, so not sure if its the bulb or the fixture. I have a day white 50w Intense basking spot.. so maybe that will work instead of the 60W... seems to localize the basking spot instead of spreading it out if that makes sense.

I feel like I am doing a lot but nothing is getting done..lol.. go figure.


BTW... they don't need anything at night at all then?

 

[Andee]

No heat is needed at night unless it gets below 60 degrees and even then it shouldn't be a night light used as a heat source, it should be a CHE.