Heating Options

[Kevin]

Hi-
I think my specific questions related to heating got lost in another thread that had lots of topics in it.....

I have a 12x12x18" zoomed habitat with coco fiber substrate and one juvenile frog. I have a lighting unit at the top that uses a 14 watt full spectrum cfc for daylight cycle. It gives basically no heat. I have read that a heating pad can be used, and read here that there are pros and cons with physically attaching them to the tank in terms of removal, but I'll ignore that for the moment.

My current predicament is that the tank is getting too cool.....approximately 64 deg during the night and not much warmer during the day. I don't see it getting much better with winter upon us. (possibly a little with the furnace located directly below the viv in the basement).

I see two options for pad placement - on the glass on the side of the tank, but then I would need to watch the glass temp, which I can do with a probe and a thermostat. If I opt for this, what is the maximum temp on the glass so that I don't injure the frog?

Is under the tank a viable option with a damp substrate? I'm guessing that since these guys don't dig, I don't need to worry about the glass temp, just the temp inside the viv, correct?

Is it an issue to cover some of the mesh at the top of the viv ok to try to keep some heat inside? If so, what is the minimum area of open mesh I should leave for circulation?

Thanks,
Kevin

[BG]

I have the dual bulb fixture. The full spectrum florescent on one side ,and the 25 watt red bulb for heat. It works well with my whites.The room is also warm and humid. That helps a little too.

[Badger]

I have a dual fixture as well, with a GE Cfl and 25w black bulb on the other side, keeps the daytime temps around 80 and nightime around 70-72

[Kevin]

With the 12" Zoo Med light fixture, there is only one bulb socket. It's a corner room with four windows and there is decent daylight....with that arrangement should I use the fixture as only a heat source with a 25 watt red/black bulb for heat? Btw, what's the difference between red and black bulbs? If I should swap out the compact flourescent for a heating bulb, would it stay on 24/7 or would that just depend on where my temps are at?

Thanks, this is very helpful.

[Badger]

Red and black are basically just two different colors. I believe red is slightly warmer than black. Neither is visible to the frog. I would get the 18 inch if you have live plants because a 6500K bulb really helps them. My white's viv is in a corner next to a window but I still use the bulb.

[maimedophelia]

I was told that 65 was a good night temp for my Whites – is this not true? His night temp is generally around 68.