Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a new Visionarium. I have a few questions.

Question: The "documentation" says that I can't use a lamp stronger than 25W with the standard socket that comes with the tank. Local stores even an on-line search yields no lamp that can heat more than a cricket with that wattage. Please educate me if I'm wrong. So what should I use?

I bought the divider, but when I put it in, it jams against one of the sliding glass panels, which makes one half of the tank inaccessible. Am I the only one that experienced this problem? The solution is simple (file down the divider) but why would they ship it with built-in flaws?

Remarks: I would like to recommend the Visionarium to others, but the lighting/heating issue and mostly the fact that they don't respond to e-mails has a big negative impact on my opinion of the company. Am I the only one with this impression?

Thanks!

Yvon
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Yvon
2.1.0 humans (including self)
0.0.1 spotted python (born June 2005)
0.0.1 garter snake (born August 2002)
0.0.3 fish
1.0.0 hamster
1.0.0 red eared slider (sitting for the summer)

I setup a couple of these at the Anaheim NARBC show. You are correct, the divider is just a tad too tight. You can trim it with a sharp x-acto knife.
As far as the light / heat issue. I have used low wattage bulbs to heat smaller tanks that have a screen or ventilated top. Just place an old towel, piece of thin wood, or even cardboard to cover more or less of the screen area. It will hold in the heat and humidity. I kept geckos in 10 gallon aquariums that used 1/4 inch thick peg board for top covers. I used low wattage red bulbs and covered more or less of the top to control the temps and humidity. Worked fine for me.

With my current setup (20GL under-tank heat pad) and a day light bulb, the heat is no more than 80F. I'm going to have to use the towel trick. I've got a heavy tank on top, but I purposely left an air gap, so I will close it off and see if the temperature rises.

Thanks
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Yvon
2.1.0 humans (including self)
0.0.1 spotted python (born June 2005)
0.0.1 garter snake (born August 2002)
0.0.3 fish
1.0.0 hamster
1.0.0 red eared slider (sitting for the summer)