RETF Lighting ?

[Nutz1207]

I want to hook up a termostat to the lighting on RETF viv to keep a more constent temp, its a basking bulb 50 watt just for heating, but i don't want to stress them out while they are trying to sleep by the light turning off and on. do you guys think this would be a problem?

[bshmerlie]

Up in Seattle do you really need a heat bulb? Does it really get that cold there? Here in California I just use a simple heat mat on the side of the tank set on a Thermostat. It keeps the temp consistant. The lights from the day also provide a little warmth especially since they sleep on the top leaves near the lights. Red Eyes can't really have any lights on at night or you are going to disturb their natural sleep/wake cycle. If I turn on a light at night within just a minute or so they close their eyes and bed down.

[Nutz1207]

It does get kind of cold here and i usally keep my house temp about 65-70. i use a exo terra night glo light at night and that seems to keep the viv at 68-72 deg. but durring the day with the basking light on all the day i've seen it get up to 85-90 and i dont want to fry them. maybe i will get a heat mat and try that and see what the temp does that way. i have a extra thermostat and thought i would just try that.

[flybyferns]

Can you move the light a little further away from the enclosure??-- 85-90 is too warm ( day or night)
I use 81 degrees as my "heads-up".
Plus , watch the humidity. Keep humidity below 80 %. ( 60-80)
Higher than that causes respiratory problems for RETF.
Keep the enclosure simple and CLEAN.
Use distilled water to clean the glass and 'natural spring' water , treated water , or filtered water for their soaking dishes.

[bshmerlie]

Yeah, 85-90 is way too hot for them. I set my thermostat at 78 for the day time with a 5-8 degree drop at night. I also keep my house in the same temperature range during the winter but a typical heat mat keeps it just right.

[Nutz1207]

Great thanks for all of your help, i think i will do away with the light and get a heat mat and set that up on a thermostat, i should be able to keep the temp about 80 durring the day and it will drop to 72 at night. i keep my humidity about 60%, that is how i cleen my tank and i change there water everyday with treated tap water. i do have one more question do any of you use spingtails to keep you viv clean or is this just for PDF'S because they can eat them as well. i do have live plants in there and i also clean there tank once a week. when i clean the tank i will knock the poop off of the plants onto the substrate for fertilizer for the plants. but clean it off of the wood and glass. and wipe down the glass with distiled water. i've had them for about 6 mounts and i have only changed the sustate once. How often do you change your sustrate? Thanks agian.