| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Zeus |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 21:34:28
hi all,
what heat source would be better for a 3' viv, an IR on a dimmer or a ceramic on a pulse?
also, would an IR be enough to create a good ambient air temp aswell as a heat spot or would I need a seperate lamp to create a heat spot?
I'm tryin to get the viv ready for when my royal moves into it but I'm kinda stuck on what would be best, would appreciate if anyone would share their set up :) |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Zeus |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 14:56:52
wow thanks hopefully I can set up my lil guy Zeus in his 3' viv after christmas :D |
| n/a |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 13:09:23
Hi, you're not being a pain at all lol.
The stuff I use is aspen, and I find it's much more absorbent than beech chippings, although be warned, it gets everywhere; it's worse than cat litter or pine needles ...many jokes on this forum about crunchy socks!
It's usually available locally but this is where I get it from as I can get a bulk bale -
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/aspen-hemp-cannabis/
Even cheaper than this are Aubiose and Megazorb, which are a sort of hemp horse bedding and a paper by-product respectively, I believe. They look very similar to aspen. But you have to buy a massive bale - okay if you can share with friends or have a lot of snakes.
As for the guard, this is generally considered the cheapest pet supplies source (although ebay is even cheaper and for aspen too but I've never got my head round ebay.)
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/reptile-lamp-guards/
You're a bit limited as to size and type of guards ...I wish they could be manufactured in bigger sizes. They do vary as to stoutness too.
Hope this helps. |
| Zeus |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 11:20:26
sorry to be a pain but what substrate do you use bats?
I was given small bark chippings but I like the look of the lighter colour you use
also I need to buy a guard for the lamp but I dont want a flimsy one or one that gets too hot, any suggestions on what one would be best?
I've seen an exo terra guard but it doesnt look very good. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 08:58:40
That's a good point about RI bulbs, being able to see when they go out. It's the only thing I don't like about the ceramic ones. And when I had Tig I did worry about how I would know when it had gone out before poor Tig had frozen. In the end I settled for the slightly paranoid habbit of checking it four/five times a day just by putting the back of my hand to the guard. Silly, but it worked : )
...I've never really fully trusted the stat...
I only used ceramic 'cause it looked more natural than a red light in the viv... and I'm very particular. But I have seen some very nice set-ups using RI bulbs too.
As others have said though, both are as good as each other if used properly. |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 22:57:48
Ah. That nice twisty bit of wood is a bit naughty really - it got picked up about 10 years ago and was a garden ornament, fixed to the fence and got thoroughly sunbleached and when the corns came it got given to them ... over 2 years later it's totally dried out but I never realised, until I came on the forums, about debarking and cleaning and stuff, but I don't think anything can have survived on it by now.
Thanks though! |
| chrisc |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 22:48:51
as bats says they both work the same, ive used ir an now use ceramics only difference is the ir gives off light.
i like your idea of fixing bits of wood to the back wall bats. may have to got stick hunting tomorrow |
| Zeus |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 22:08:39
ah ok thanks again :P |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 21:59:35
Thanks
No, no other heat source is needed - the IR does the job fine. |
| Zeus |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 21:54:26
I think I will try the IR on a dimmer as I have a dimmer stat already,
by the way, do you have any other heat sources in your viv?
and thats a nice set up! :D
thanks for your help |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/12/2011 : 21:47:28
It's entirely up to you. Both options work just as well imo - I prefer IR because you can see when the bulb has blown - but I've heard that ceramic bulbs last much longer. In fact, since I now have a secondhand pp stat, I've got a ceramic bulb/fitting/guard on order. And you can use a dimmer stat with either - but not a pp stat with an IR because it would cause it to flash on and off like a lighthouse. And no, you don't need a separate lamp or extra heat source.
Below are a couple of pics of my lad Shahi and his setup. Hope this helps.
Oh, and welcome to the forum! |
