Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello again,

I'm almost done with my cage and thought I would ask if anyone has suggestions as to how far apart to place the halogen heat lamps from each other. I was thinking I would use 3 50 watt bulbs placed over the basking platform my buddy made. Would it make sense to place them a foot apart in a triangle formation?

thanks,

Phiff

This is for a Bosc (Sav) Monitor not a "Bocs"!

Hi,

The "triangle" formation you mentioned is not necessary.

A row of lights (putting them side-by-side) that covers the length of the body is good.

I wouldn't make this triangle formation. If your savannah is big and too wide, then simply put lamps bigger than 50W.

I would also only put them in a line with a couple inches away from each other, in order to avoid cold spots between the lamps. And use the lamps close to the basking spot. You can control the temperature with a dimmer.

This is what I did, using an aluminum rail which I can modify to move lamps more appart if needed.

it's safer and wiser just to use more low wattage bulbs,than one larger one.I myself was tempted to use less efficient methods,but the veterans steer me back.If this is the adult cage any arrangement that will cover the snout to vent length of the adult size lizard will work.If the cage is large enough an option would be to have more than one basking spot-

what's the size of the cage,that's something we need to know to answer the question-if it's too small 3 lights might be too much. Moe

Thanks for replying.

The cage is 6' long x 30" deep x 54 " tall with half of the cage being a metal trough to be filled with substrate.

Sounds like I need to place the bulbs close together and in a straight line.

Boa
Your Prasinus look great!
A question and comment.
On the question, is there a current going to that empty socket?

Comment, somewhere you stated that you were not sure of glueing anything to your enclosure walls...for risk of rotting the wood.

While I agree that useing materials to create more surface area by making your walls climbable, you could also seal your wood and make a beautiful useable background.

One way is to trowel on some brown silicone (a thick layer) and then press some of that "jungle floor" bedding into the silicone.

In my opinion it just looks better than aqua netting.
But as with everything there are more ways of accomplishing the same goal.

I did not ignore your request for some photos, I just need to scan some and I will.

Good luck with those beauties!!
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Thanks very much for the comments, Mike!

Regarding the lamps, I use only 2 there because there is no way I can keep this cage cool. With no vent holes it is a green house inside there.

Perhaps in deep winter I can add the last lamp.

In mid summer I had to switch those 2 lamps off all the time, leaving just 1 basking spot and it was still hard to keep everything below 85F.

I didn't want to take chances with cork sheets in the walls. I don't know if you saw, but when I showed I was building my cage with melamine MDF I was yelled at by everyone.
What I did was covering the inside walls with 3 layers of this greenish epoxy paint and followed Krusty's model using screen, so it would allow for the walls to dry out.

Climbable walls are almost a need for these guys, they spend most of their active time like geckos (here, at least).

Thanks a lot for the kind words.

Boa
My point is apperantly to late as your Prasinus are already in there enclosure.

If you ever need to break it down, and want to try the silicone method this not only looks great but seals the wood!
No more worries of seeping into your walls and rotting.

Do you have a male and female?
Prasinus are still my favorite of the complex, something about green Brother!

Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Yes I have an adult pair.

And I also have a yearling that I suspect is a female. What do you think? (I have to take some updated shots of her)

All 3 are together and cohabit the cage with no agressions, although we can discuss for months about the bonding.

Boa
I'm thinking female too.
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Hey! Your set-up looks really good! Hope it goes well for you!

Thanks,

They seem to be doing fine and use pretty much everything there is inside.

Thanks so much. I like the dimmer idea!

Sweet set up you got there.