Tear me up!!! just finished building an enclosure!~

nj011908

nj011908

New Member
My enclosure is described in my only photo album. if there is any concerns or complaints, please tell me. Also what is the best reptisun 5.0 CPL, the short or long. I have a dome light with a small 40w incandescent bulb and the dome light has a dimmer on it so I am able to get a basking spot about 4 inches from the bulb and keep it ~85-90, and the bottom of the cage stays right ~70 degrees this being said I have teh double compact and plan on getting the retisun 5.0 or 10.0 on one side and should I just leave the other side empty? My tank is a EXOterra 18x18x24 and I also ran a tube behind the foam decoration to the bottom of the tank connect to a small air super quite fish tank pump connected to a timer for the end of the day after the lights go off for a few hours to replenish any lost circulation, (barely feel the air coming out of the tube so it really shouldn't stress the animal) to get if more airflow. The humidity in the tank with a quick misting stays at about 75-80% for three hours and I have a reptifogger set for when I am not home. If a am missing anything please let me know i plan on finishing the build later today, routing PVC to the top of the tank behind it and connected to the fogger. Here is some pics for now again I am getting the stand in the mail today and will complete the build by tonight, please give advice form very experience panther owners, I dont want the new baby to stress out. To see the rest of the photos click the link:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/nj011908-albums-my-setup-build.html

full
 
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lol at your title!!! Checked out your cage. It looks nice. I am not sure how people suspend their branches in glass, but I would try and get a few more horizontal branches, especially for basking. You say 4 inches under the light you measured temp...is this where your panther will be sitting to bask? If so, I would move down the basking branch, vine etc as that is kinda close and he might get burned. Take in account as they grow also, that they are getting even closer to the light with their bodies. Also, the green carpet on the bottom(if that is carpet) looks nice, but you have to be careful over time if it gets wet and soggy that it may create mold and bacteria which is more easy to do with a glass enclosure versus screen. You don't want your little one getting a respiratory infection.
 
Thank you, i am thinking about taking out the astro turf, I definitely dont want any infections at all the basking spot is now 6 inches away because i just moved the lamp over to the right a little ;). If any one has good suggestions on how to get a few more wooden sticks suspended that would be great, I am also thinking of putting a small Pothos on the bottom to catch the dripper i will be making.
 
nj011908 said:
Thank you, i am thinking about taking out the astro turf, I definitely dont want any infections at all the basking spot is now 6 inches away because i just moved the lamp over to the right a little ;). If any one has good suggestions on how to get a few more wooden sticks suspended that would be great, I am also thinking of putting a small Pothos on the bottom to catch the dripper i will be making.
Click to expand...

drainage is always a pain in the a$$, especially in glass bottom versus the screen enclosures where you can cut out the bottoms to release the water. You can let it drain into the pothos, but overtime you will see it is going to get waterlogged. I have never used glass, but what I have seen people do is get these little square things they use in bird cages to hold perches and glue them to the sides and then they can hold the perch or doll rod. You can also twist tie branches to other branches to form a support system. You just have to be inventive! With the screen cages it is so much easier as you can suspend the branches and vines with push pins or thumb tacks on the outside of the screen.
 
YEah I just found suction cups with small metal hook I can drill a hole in the wood and just hook it and suck it to the glass.
 
We have the same Exo Tera Terrarium. :) I love it, but will need to get a bigger one soon for my cham. :confused:

Be careful with high wattage bulbs near the back. I melted part of my foam background (That they DONT sell as a replacement part.. :mad: ) with a high wattage bulb.

You say you can maintain those temps with a 40W bulb? Whats your rooms temp? I find that a 72W bulb is needed to get the temp that high (90-95F)with my house at about 66F. We are in a winter nightmare right now, with temps around -15 outside. My house is around 60F, leaving my terraium at about 86F. (needing to look into a higher wattage bulb now, glad I stocked up on 72W, 100W, 150W and a few 200W bulbs!)

Suction cups are your friend with a glass enclosure. That and wire ties! lol. I bought a bag of various sizes from a local hobby store. (8-10 for about $4) I always have wire ties, but I use black or green to help hide them. Looks good.

Q- Why do you have an air tube? The Exo Terra has vetilation holes right below the doors to draw in air as head excapes.

I love the tree in there. Where did you find that?

Sorry for the scattered thought, I'm at work...but wanted to comment. :p

Cheers.
 
broderp said:
We have the same Exo Tera Terrarium. :)

You say you can maintain those temps with a 40W bulb? Whats your rooms temp?

Q- Why do you have an air tube? The Exo Terra has vetilation holes right below the doors to draw in air as head excapes.

I love the tree in there. Where did you find that?

Sorry for the scattered thought, I'm at work...but wanted to comment. :p

Cheers.
Click to expand...

My apartments are autoheated by the owners and they keep it at 70 here the bulb and dimmable dome combo just works.

the air tube was because I am a first timer and all the negative nancys about glass terrariums made me nervous.

I found the various tree branches from drift wood suppliers and reptile shops.
 
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