Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have run out of room and have decided to keep my "gang" in the Garage. I live in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, I have put a Temp. Gauge out in the garage the past few weeks and am observing the Temp. variations. It has not gotten past 90-95 during the heat of the day. Do you think they need low heat lamps anyway? Do you think it will be to dim out there for them? I leave the garage door open during the day. Has anyone else done this in Florida? I want them to be happy...and it would be so much easier for me, plus less smelly in the house. I have this big garage and its empty soooo. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

i live in miami and keep my babies in the garage. its way more work especially in the summer. their basking lights are only on right before and after meals otherwise it is tooooo hot. basking side gets 110-120 and cool side 90. they get misted to bring temps down 2-3 times a day. also keep a big fan running for them. I dont recomend it, I am stuck with no other choice. they should be moving indoors within a week or so as I just got all my new enclosures and am setting them up now.

if you want to call me or come by, you are more than welcome
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Hi
i use a thermostate for my grashopper breeding.
you can dimm the light with it and it not go out and on,it wil slowly make the normal light bulb giving les power til its complete dimmed if its to hot.
i can put 600 watt on it .
it have a probe to measure the temp wish you put near baskingspot.
maybe a thing to use?
i think a baskingtemp of 105-110 is needed.
byeeeee

I keep my reptiles in my garage as well. I live in Southern California so the temperatures are a bit more mild but these tips should apply:

1) Use many fluorescent lights when possible. Reptile cages need to be bright in order for your lizards to be happy and fluorescents have high luminosity with low wattage. I would keep a fluorescent fixture on all the time (while they are awake of course) unless absolutely necessary.

2) Use spot bulbs for basking lights. Do not use flood bulbs. You can use a low wattage spot bulb connected to a thermostat for a basking area. This way the light does not heat up the garage as much.

3) Use timers and have the lights turn on very early. My dragons lights turn on at 5 AM and off at 5PM. My Uromastyx keep their lights on longer even after the garage is hot because they are freaks for heat (130 degree basking sights).

4) Make outdoor enclosures. When I can I keep my reptiles outside and turn the lights off in the garage.

5) Get a fan or two, they help.

Good luck,

Peter