Heating Problems!

[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

[R3N3G4D3]

Double deep dome: Zoo Med Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp

It doesn't have the dimmers or am I missing something? I've read they can be in a temp. between 65 to 75 degrees at night, so I might not have to worry about a night time bulb.

[GrifTheGreat]

k

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

They don't make duel fixtures that have a dimmer switch to control light and heat output. In the end the cost would be the same. I reccomend the purchase of both bulbs and only one lamp with a dimmer switch and swap out the bulbs rather than changing lamps when it becomes dark. Also you save a little money buy just buying both bulbs and one lamp. For the day time bulb you can get an Exo Terra Sun-Glo tight beam and they also have a good infrared as well. Deep don't have a dimmer either and usualy produce too much heat. I purchased one and it is only good for fluorescent bulbs which you don't want to use for a heat problem because they don't produce suficient heat output and are too bright for Pacmans.

[R3N3G4D3]

Do I need an infrared bulb for night? I set my heater set at 73 degrees, and I've read a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees at night is appropriate. Is that true? Should I purchase a night time bulb?

Exo Terra Day Glo Neodymium - Heating - Reptile - PetSmart
Exo Terra A19 Night Glo Bulb - Lighting - Lighting - PetSmart

Are these bulbs you are recommending? Except at 50 watt, of course.

[GrifTheGreat]

Also you can't use fluorescent bulbs with lamps that have a dimmer switch only incandescent bulbs. Buy two seperate fixtures if you like but it is cheaper to just buy the two bulbs and swap them out from day to night. It is much easier to control the temps and light output with a lamp with a dimmer. You'll find that it really helps to control the enclosures climate.