My 2 juvies and 1 adult dragon are now properly housed in stacked cages of adequate proportion (48"x24"x17"
. I'm afraid that I made the mistake of keeping the 2 young'uns together in the same undersized tank for too long and they are undersized for their age, but healthy and no injuries. I like this setup (see pic).
Basking temps on the river rocks (surface readings) are 105-110 F for the 4&5 month old juvies and 102 max for the adult as measured by heat gun. I've been studying the controversy, and when I try higher temps they stay to the perimeter. Even at these temps they will bask with mouths open at the hot spots for minimal time periods. I'd still like to provide them even higher temps, up to 130 for when they need it. You may see by the pic that on this type cage the basking well screen is only about 9" from the bottom of the cage. This makes creating proper gradient a bit tricky in so low a habitat. I am getting cool sides of 77-82 F now that the weather and ambient room temps have cooled.
Also, I am concerned that the Reptisun 10 UVB linear 18" strips (2 per cage) are located at the fronts of the cages, and I'm thinking I may need more UVB at the backs of these. You can't see them here, but they are sitting on screen, riveted to the inset molded ceiling, and at 2" higher than the top door tracks. Do I need more UVB?
My purpose here is not to advertise for the cage supplier, but you can probably guess, so just visit their web site and you'll see the diagram.
The substrate is Walmart Duck brand shelf liner, which I like for the easy clean, good traction properties. I am more interested in the health and comfort of my dragons, then how "natural and pretty" it looks to me.
I have invested in Herpstat ND Proportional Thermostats for each habitat, which are still in their boxes, and would like some advice on how to best put these to use in regulating basking temps? I am building new basking platforms with slate covered plywood for uniformity, comfort and temp gradients, but with such a low basking well an inch difference in height will probably make a large temp swing, right? So will a 2 level platform 1" difference in height provide enough variant? Flood bulb strength will be of little relevance (so long as it's a bit overpowered)once I figure out how to position the stat probes,so long as I can design it such that they won't lay on the probes.
Please, no worries about lack of water dish, etc. This shot was made during a cleaning. Crickets are served in a tub corral, so that I don't have to chase the leftovers in this stack every day.
I thought that I could figure this all out on my own. I am now doubting my reasoning skills and asking for the help and advice of the experts here. My BD's are important to me and I do not want any harm to come to them. Thanks.
