Heating Problems!

[R3N3G4D3]

Ok, so the temperature has dropped into the fifties and sixties here in Jacksonville. As a result, my Pacman Frog's habitat has as well. Last night, I went out and bought a 10 gallon terrarium (because the XL plastic tote wasn't maintaining heat well), but his/her new set up is actually staying around the same temp. (70 to 73 degrees) as his/her old one! I bought the appropriate size tank heater and it's mounted on the side opposite the water dish, so I can't figure out why the habitat isn't heating properly. He/she is buried near the heater and moving, so I know he/she is ok for now - I really need to get the temperature raised though, so what are some suggestions for all you experienced keepers who have braved the winter?

Some side information:

I have my apartment's heater set at 73 degrees.
The terrarium is sitting on a book shelf, which is close to the patio glass door.
Humidity is at 80%.

[GrifTheGreat]

Ok, so the temperature has dropped into the fifties and sixties here in Jacksonville. As a result, my Pacman Frog's habitat has as well. Last night, I went out and bought a 10 gallon terrarium (because the XL plastic tote wasn't maintaining heat well), but his/her new set up is actually staying around the same temp. (70 to 73 degrees) as his/her old one! I bought the appropriate size tank heater and it's mounted on the side opposite the water dish, so I can't figure out why the habitat isn't heating properly. He/she is buried near the heater and moving, so I know he/she is ok for now - I really need to get the temperature raised though, so what are some suggestions for all you experienced keepers who have braved the winter?

Some side information:

I have my apartment's heater set at 73 degrees.
The terrarium is sitting on a book shelf, which is close to the patio glass door.
Humidity is at 80%.

First thing I would do is get the frog away from that patio door. The cold air can easily pass through the glass and affect the terrarium temps. Buy a lamp with a dimmer switch with either a basking light bulb with a concentrated beam so it doesn't have to be bright to produce heat. Or purchase a infrared light bulb. 50 watts no more than that. The lamp with the dimmer switch will allow you to control the amount of light and heat coming from the bulb. I purchased Grif at the end of last febuary so I haven't been through an entire winter but its still pretty cold at that time and that is what I did. Definetly move the enclosure away from the patio door though It will severly affect temps.

[R3N3G4D3]

First thing I would do is get the frog away from that patio door. The cold air can easily pass through the glass and affect the terrarium temps. Buy a lamp with a dimmer switch with either a basking light bulb with a concentrated beam so it doesn't have to be bright to produce heat. Or purchase a infrared light bulb. 50 watts no more than that. The lamp with the dimmer switch will allow you to control the amount of light and heat coming from the bulb. I purchased Grif at the end of last febuary so I haven't been through an entire winter but its still pretty cold at that time and that is what I did. Definitely move the enclosure away from the patio door though It will severly affect temps.

Alright, I moved the enclosure into my bedroom (warmest room in the apartment) for now until I can find a permanent residence. My cats can be a little too curious, so I have to find a place where they can't stress him out. I'm going to see how the temp. reacts before buying a lighting fixture, but where can I get one with a dimmer switch? Does PetSmart or PetCo carry them?

[GrifTheGreat]

Alright, I moved the enclosure into my bedroom (warmest room in the apartment) for now until I can find a permanent residence. My cats can be a little too curious, so I have to find a place where they can't stress him out. I'm going to see how the temp. reacts before buying a lighting fixture, but where can I get one with a dimmer switch? Does PetSmart or PetCo carry them?

Yeah Petsmart carries them. That's where I got mine. I use the lamps with the dimmer because it makes it much easier to control temps and brightness of the bulb. You can leave the lamp on all the time if you buy a night time bulb like an infrared and they don't affect night time cycle.

[GrifTheGreat]

Also lights burn off humidity so you will have to mist a little more often but the temps will be maintained.

[R3N3G4D3]

Would you suggest for me to purchase two light fixtures - one for the 50 watt basking and the other for the 50 watt infrared, so I can maintain the temp. through the day and night? Or just one and rotate the bulbs? The temp. has risen a little since I moved it into my bedroom, but it needs to be closer to 80 degrees.

[Badger]

As opposed to the two separate fixtures, get a double light fixture such as a hood, or a cheaper double deep dome by zoo-med

Hood: 18" fluorescent hood fixture
Double deep dome: Zoo Med Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp