Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I finally received the 2 used Vision cages (Model 332 for future beardies). They sure look much bigger than they are pictured but are very nice (each came with 2 15" flourescent fixtures). Now I am reading the fine print which states you can't stack them if you use heat lamps? Please tell me its not true. I do intend to use a basking lamp in that recessed lamp hole. I only have space for stacking not side by side. If such is the case I may have to consider relinquishing one. Any suggestions?

Yeah, its true. Their main advertised feature isn't really a feature of some models (actually many models) if you use their other advertised feature - the recessed basking vent. But alas, do not give up the ship! Land ho! Land ho! .. You can use 2x4 spacers between the cages.
-----
Mark

>>Yeah, its true. Their main advertised feature isn't really a feature of some models (actually many models) if you use their other advertised feature - the recessed basking vent. But alas, do not give up the ship! Land ho! Land ho! .. You can use 2x4 spacers between the cages.

Huh? Why can't it be used? Is it Vision saying that this isn't recommended? Everyone I know with this cage uses belly heat, but I don't see why you couldn't use a lamp...aside from the fact that lower cages will tend to raise the temps in upper cages. Shouldn't be a huge problem if you have thermostats on both cages, however.

The 322 is the one you can't stack if using reflectors (I have 2 of these cages, and I use 2x4 spacers to fix this.) The 332 has enough room. Sorry for that.

So the 332 with the extra vent is ok to stack with a 100 watt heat bulb? I will try and check temp for above cage. I won't have the cage home till next week (it's right beside me at work)

I wouldn't think that it would be safe to put a 100 watt bulb/reflector in the little housing and then put another cage on top. That 100 watt reflector will generate a LOT of heat and could melt through the floor of the cage above.

Furthermore, even if it didn't melt, it would certainly heat up the cage above to a significant level.

I have stacked vision cages and I put a small 7W fluorescent light on each cage. Even with this small amount of light, I have to use 2x4 spacers to prevent the heat from heating up the cage above. With a 100W incandescent, this could be dangerous without spacers, IMHO.

Thermostats won't really help you in any practical way, unless you put the probe in the cage above the one the with the light it is controlling. This means that if the cage above gets too warm, the heat source in the cage below will turn off.
-----
Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

Ok. Thanks. Now call me naive but, what exactly are 2x4 spacers and also how do obtain them?

The spacers are pieces of 2x4 pine lumber, placed around the perimeter of the top of the lower cage. Nothing fancy, except for grooves that I routed in the wood so it would fit over those ridges on the cage top.

>>So the 332 with the extra vent is ok to stack with a 100 watt heat bulb? I will try and check temp for above cage. I won't have the cage home till next week (it's right beside me at work)

If you look at the Vision website, they recommend using a 60W light max in the 332...

Thanks all. I have enlisted the aide a handy man friend of mine and we intend to use wooden tracks to make 2" space between cages to allow for ventilation. If all goes well i may take pics and post it. I noticed one could drill thru the fiberglass so we intend to make a go of it. Thanks for all the input.

6" aluminum cup domes drop right into the round light dome.

60 watt should be plenty. If you try and use a higher wattage you might want to experiment a little.

Put your basking site directly under the dome and your beardeds should get plenty of heat from a 60 watt.

I stack my 332's with 60's and have had no problems.