Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I know its real critical when starting a water monitor to keep the ambient temperature around 85 degrees. What is the recommended way of keeping a 20 gallon long aquarium at the right temps in a basement thats about 68 degrees? I am currently using a 75 watt halogen at the highest basking point (an infrared surface reading of about 130 degrees) and a 75 watt infrared bulb for the remainder. The monitor likes it's hiding spot, but the temps in there are 75 degrees, or so. Should I add a heating pad?? Should I insulate the sides and back (outside tank) with heavy cardboard?

I increased the wattage, but was concerned about too much concentrated heat. Sorry about the long rambling post.

Thanks,

Rob

From the sound of it you have plenty of heat on the cage, what you need to do is start preventing heat loss. You're right on with the insulating, but insulating the sides of the cage really isn't going to do nearly as much. Heat rises. Insulate the top, gradually, keeping an eye on temps.

One of the bonuses of doing it this way is that the more of the top you cover, the better chance you have of keeping humidity up as well.

Cover maybe half the cage for now and see what happens; and I don't mean cover with a blanket. It'll help but not nearly as much as a material that doesn't breathe, like plastic. Not saying to suffocate your animal, you still want some air exchange, but covering part of the top with plastic will keep more heat and humidity in. If you're getting readings of 130 degrees from your basking light, I'd wager you could just about run it by itself (during the day, anyway) if enough of the enclosure is covered properly.

I have a larger enclosure that has a completely covered top and a screen side. The heat from two sixty-watt bulbs is so good in this thing that I can keep it in my basement and still see ambient temps in the enclosure of around 80-84.

Thanks for the detailed answer. I have my tank inside of a mini greenhouse (metal piping and a clear heavy poly cover). With the door partially open and the lights suspended about 6 inches above the screen top, I've achieved a pretty even 85 degrees ambient (using a thermal probe positioned in the farthest point of the tank). I'll enlarge his enclosure as neccesary.

Thanks again and you have a real nice enclosure and BEAUTIFUL animal!

Rob