Everyone says 4x2x2 as a minimum cage size for heat gradient purposes, but I seem to get optimal temps from my 36x16x16 cage. Do you guys think this is an adequate setup for a 6" ornate?



Here is my setup and results:



1. Lamps

- 75 watt halogen, flood, on a dimmer (dimmed about 1/3)

- 60 watt ceramic on the cool side (dimmed about 1/3); ceramic bulb left on 24/7

- Reptisun 10.0 mounted inside cage

- All lights on timers with 14/10 day/night



2. Substrate and furnishings:

- Dark slate rocks (much softer than typical slate) for basking ad hides on hot side

- Slate tile used for hide on cool side

- Washed playsand 1/3" deep between rock areas

- Climbing branch



3. Cage

- All wood painted bright white inside and out

- All sealed joints

- Sliding front glass doors around 9" tall

- 2 3.5" vents on hot side, 1 3.5" vent on cool

- Cage located in a semi-basement room which keeps consistent temps (i.e., no direct sun, etc.)



4. Instruments

- Temp gun for measuring basking areas

- 2 digital thermometers for hot and cool sides with humidity gage



5. Food

- Mostly spring mix so far, but will vary with bok choy, escarole and other greens



Results:

- 120*-135* basking spot on rocks

- 104*-110* basking on sand below halogen

- 92*-95* ambient on hot side

- 79*-82* ambient on cool side

- 72* nighttime lows on both hot and cool (hot side slowly cools down from heat on rocks; cool side supplemented by ceramic bulb)





I just rec'ed the little guy two weeks ago, and he's eating well and not at all skittish. I haven't handled him at all. Can I keep him in this setup long term?



Thanks!

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