Heat Lamps

[dpcsquid]

I was curious as to what kind of heating elements people were using for their tanks, and how large their tanks were, after reading the thread about ambient vs. gradient temperatures. I'd been using 40 watt infra-red bulbs (I was afraid of hurting my pacs' eyes), one above each of my 10 gallon tanks, and I thought I was reaching temps in the low-mid 80's...but I recently moved the thermometer/hygrometer down to the middle of the enclosure and a few inches off the ground, and I'm finding that I'm not actually reaching anywhere near that. I'm a little bit discouraged, because I've been trying so many different wattages and light fixtures.

Maybe hearing what everyone else has will help me out. I have one UTH on the side of one of the enclosures, but I find that it doesn't to much. I keep my house on the cold side (around 65 F ).

[Ra]

try insulating the outside back and sides of the tank with some cardboard, and use at least an 8 inch reflector lamp. The reflector lamps are important for reflecting heat, and the cardboard will help keep it from escaping. I wouldnt go anywhere higher than 40 watts, unless you have a cold house or something. Do you run the AC alot? The room I keep my frogs in has stayed consistently in the mid 80's this summer, dropping at night, while the rest of the house is air conditioned.
Perhaps you could also try a 40 watt spot bulb.

[GrifTheGreat]

You can also go with a 5.5" clamp lamp that has a dimmer switch. A spot lamp bulb of 40 or 50 watts will work well with your UTH. Cover 3/4 of your screen top with Saran Wrap leaving a space in the center for the lamp to go and shine directly into the enclosure. I insulating the outside of the enclosure will help too. Make sure you leave enough space in the center of the screen top so you don't set the lamp directly on the Saran Wrap or it could melt if the lamp becomes too hot. You can use a Exo-Terra Sun Glo bulb that has a concentrated beam of light during the day and use your infrared at night.

Make sure you cut a small opening in the Saran Wrap at both ends of your screen top for air circulation. Not directly on the sides, but on top of both ends over the warm and cool sides of the tank.

please note that if you have an Albino Pacman you cannot use a spot light bulb like the Sun Glo or any daylight bulbs or you risk harming your frog. Infrared will work fine with an Albino.

You can take from both Ra and my info and use apply it for your frogs enclosure and you should be ok.