Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just set up my first vision cage with UV lighting and halogen lamps for heat. My temps are running 92 4inches from the bottom on the hot side and the mid 80's on the cool side. I mounted the halogen lamps onto wood, then mounted the wood into the vision. However with the lights on, there is a distinct plastic smell in the enclosure as well as the room. Is this normal? Will this hurt my bearded dragon?

Donna

With a newer Vision, if I heat (with Flexwatt bottom heat) to about 85-90 degrees, there is a slight increase in that plastic smell you speak of. If you were to heat the plastic to 100 deg, you would smell it more. After a few months of use, the smell is much less.

This is offgassing of the plastic. In time it will be less. However, you must check that the lamp socket is not transferring excess heat to the plastic to the point of melting. If so, not only are you melting the cage but also generating more fumes than normal offgassing produces.

The plastic used to make Visions is HDPE (high density polyethylene) and is approved by the FDA for use with food, but obviously not for heating of food. Milk containers are polyethylene for example. An empty milk container sitting in the sun can smell like a Vision. I think the beardie will be OK if the ventilation is good and in fact you are NOT melting the plastic.
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Mark

Thanks for the response. With the way my lights are installed there is no way they are melting the plastic. I've added a tiny fan to the vent to help push fresh air in, I just wanted to be sure this is normal and it wasn't something else! Thanks so much!

Donna (who is loving her new visions.)