First Pacman

[TeeRiddle]

Welcome to the forum and your first Pac!

Whenever you raise the temps humidity will drop no matter what heating method you use. Getting the temps and humidity just right can be a tricky see-saw sometimes. I'm guessing you are using a Zoo Med ReptiTherm mini - the 4 watt version (RH-7), or similar as the UTH? You could try another UTH, but the 4 watt pads don't put off much heat. Not sure it will raise temps 2 - 4 degrees.

My current terrarium is around 7 gallons and I didn't see any significant change in temps after adding this UTH (maybe bad temp gauge?).

If you do opt for a lamp I would suggest using a small dome lamp that has a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch gives you the ability to adjust the bulb output so you can dial it in perfectly. As Wizzle mentioned do not go over 50 watts. 25 - 40 watts should be more than enough for that sized tank.

I use a 25 watt black nighttime bulb hooked up to a Zoo Med HygroTherm which regulates the temps and humidity. Great device!

Hopefully someone a bit more knowledgeable than me can chime in with other suggestions as I'm still a newbie myself.

Please feel free to post a pic of your ornata, we'd love to see him/her!

[GrifTheGreat]

Welcome to Frog Forum,

You should be using a UTH appropriately sized for the tank you have. If you are set on not using a lamp you could try a second UTH. Just make sure its on the warm side of the tank near the original UTH. Make sure both are the same size.

Now you may still have to invest in a lamp if your temps don't quite reach the necessary level that's needed, but you can worry about that if having 2 UTH on the tank doesn't work. I would suggest keeping you frog in a warmer room and far away from AC vents to prevent drafts that can make the frog sick. If you must create a warmer room by closing some if the AC vents so they're only open a quarter of the way.

These are tropical frogs and MUST have tropical temps. By buying the little guy you have placed yourself uncharted of its care and must do what's necessary in order to provide the correct climate. Even if you must use a method that is less desirable to you like a heat lamp. Being in a dryer area perhaps make the soils mouthed level a bit more moist, but make sure it isn't muddy and water logged.

You've already been given correct advice on which kind of lamp to use and the correct wattage of bulbs in posts above. Any further questions feel free to ask.

[Sir Mitchel]

Since my last post I applied a second UTH, and it seems to be doing the trick. The temperature is now hovering at 82-83F. I was pretty surprised at the effectiveness of adding a second pad. I have them arranged in an "L" formation (one pad on left end, and one on the back-left of the tank). I should note, however, that the cool side of the tank is 78F. Is the cool-side temperature acceptable?

[Sir Mitchel]

As requested, here are a couple pictures:

[GrifTheGreat]

78° Is a great night time temp to hover around. Don't go lower than 75.° Your day temps are good. Humidity needs to be 80%, but mid 70s are acceptable.

[JIvoryII]

yes cool side is fine a 78 as long as its 82/83 on the warm side.. by the way thats not an ornate.. looks like a fantasy (cranwelli/cornuta ) hybrid... my be a cranwell tho.. eyes arent focusing well tonight

[GrifTheGreat]

yes cool side is fine a 78 as long as its 82/83 on the warm side.. by the way thats not an ornate.. looks like a fantasy (cranwelli/cornuta ) hybrid... my be a cranwell tho.. eyes arent focusing well tonight

My thoughts exactly. The back pattern looks connected like C. Cornuta, but the frog itself looks like pure Cranwelli. Better pics would help determine species for sure.