Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I have just put something over the top of my savs new 6x3x3 enclosure to trap more heat in. I took the remaining plywood and plexiglass pieces and covered as much as I can on the top (80% of the top). I couldnt get all of it covered b/c I have the 4 lights. I cant put the plexy or plywood on top since the tops of the fixtures stick out a little bit so only about 80% is covered for now. He is going to shed soon (I see gray spots coming on his body) so I did this yesterday. What do you guys think, is this good enough, or can I put some plywood over the lights? Also my mom is being annoying and for some stupid reason keeps turning 3 out of 4 of his lights off. Its pissing me off and I'm getting annoyed and when I get home from school I have to turn them on. This started happening this past wednesday, and it gets chilly in there b/c of it, could this lead to problems even though I have pretty much stopped it?
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 88 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 102 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

Explain to you mom why you have the lights on. If shes been this supportive so far, Im sure shell understand.

Shes not the supportive one, my father is. She hates my sav, she complains that it gets "too hot" down there. I dont really know what I can cover the top with since I have those light fixtures clamped on to the sides of his enclosure. Whould a blanket do? Can I use that to trap in heat? Or should I just put a big piece of plywood over it (on top of the lights)? I need ideas, I want to cover the top with the lights where they are but I want to do it with out causing a fire.
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 88 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 102 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

You mention that you have you lights clamped on the sides? Its generally easier to have them suspended from the ceiling of your enclosure in some manner. Generally in a way so that they can be moved around somewhat easily.
I have had aquariums that have had the fixture resting on top of the screen top, and had the whole top covered with a towel or two. I had no problems with it catching fire, but really, this set up isnt very efficient, and I dont recommend trying something like that. Not to mention its just plain hard working with an enclosure that has an open top.
Good luck with your mom too! Im sure shell eventually love him as much, if not more that you. Moms are funny like that.

Well there is no top. Its 6x3x3 the sides are made of Plywood (left right and back sides) front is plexy. There is a wooden frame made of 2x4's on the top which I clamp the lights on to. They clamp on the frame itself and they go into the enclosure (about 2 feet up from the ground) but the tops stick out a bit. I think I am just going to throw a big blanket onto it. What do you think?
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 88 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 102 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

Don't throw a blanket on top, you could start a fire. Then your moms really gonna love your monitor. Just enclose it with wood (and use wood screws dont just leave it lying) on top and cut holes into the top to accomadated the lamps. You can place some mesh (screwed down also) on the holes and place the dome lights on top or even better buy some ceramic fixtures or outdoor spotligh fixtures and run the wiring through the top.

don't throw a blanket on top. Aside from the risk of fire, it isn't going to stop humidity escaping.

Get a piece of plywood large enough to cover the entire top. Seal it. Scrap your clamps. Get a couple of ceramic light fixtures, drill holes in the plywood to run the wires through and fix the light fixtures to the lid.

You can waste a lot of time and money trying to adapt what you already have (such as the clamps) to make something substandard, or you can spend a bit of money and time to get it right (or as close to right under the circumstances, since 'right' changes constantly) first go.