RETF temps and lighting help/suggestions please

[Beachfroggy]

My last step before getting my frogs is getting a bit frustrating----our ac is always on (FL) and reg no light temps are 75* throughout enclosure (24" height)(setup is not by an ac vent). I purchased a dual zoo med hood bcuz it has two sockets with independant switches. On one side I have a repti glo 2.0 bulb uvb. With just that on all temps are still 75* except way up close to lgt bulb it is 76-77*, just a couple inches either direction drops right to 75* again. So for some heat in other socket i put an exoterra sun glo neodymium 40w for some ambient heat and for any live plants---whole hood on day/night timer----with both bulbs on there is a pretty good gradient---bottom 80-81*, middle height both left rght frnt back at 78-78.5*, and top at 81* front back on uvb side, top increases to 83-84* on sun glo bulb side-----BIG Concern is at the front top right up by heat light it is 87-88* dropping to 84-85* a few inces away in either direction------will this burn/hurt the retf? in the wild i know it gets to 90* in the shade on hot days----maybe i cud just keep climbing stuff and plants away from this upper corner??? rest of tank is 78-84* range......... for night time i will have perfect drop and with single dome 40w moonglo bulb for my viewing or winter nights---we never use ac heater so house gets a little cold by morning like 55* so i could leave that dome on or switch to higher watts if needed.

[Heatheranne]

Hmmm...can you post a picture of your tank set-up with the lights?

[Heatheranne]

I use a ceramic heat emitter bulb to keep the heat steady day and night. It does not give off light, so it's great for night time. I use two GE 6500K 26watt spiral bulbs in dome lights plus the ceramic emitter during the day. At night I use the ceramic emitter and a black heat light 40watt bulb in a dome light. At one side-end of my 55 gallon I have a large heat matt on the outer side wall bc it's cool on that side. My temps range 78 to 80 degrees F consistently.

It sounds as though you have the right idea. 85 degrees is a bit to warm in that area.

A photo with labeling of where the temps are would be very helpful. Could you print out a paper copy of your tank photo and label the temps in the temp locations?

[Beachfroggy]

sure, i took everything out to clean and sterilize but its all artificial anyway, i didnt think testing heat gradient empty would matter..the dome is for night
if the probe in pic is moved up all way to top it reaches 88* in that front left corner

[Heatheranne]

I read your post again and I think as long as you don't plant anything too high on the top, front right where it's 85+ degrees, you'll be fine. They'll likely stay to the other areas on their own. Misting should also help to cool the temp a good few degrees if you use luke warm water.

Cute tank btw .

[Heatheranne]

A few others who are great for retf questions are flybyferns (Lynn), viperJr, micheal novy .

[Beachfroggy]

Yes i will do that, it looks really sterile, but i wanted to test now so i could return the fixture if it didnt wrk out, The 85* section is like the upper left 3x3" corner then drops immediately 82*-----I'll work on a diagram, maybe i could try a sunglo that is less than 40w, but i think the whole tank will drop to a highest of 76* everywhere like it does when just the right side repti 26w uvb floure is on---no gradient at all

[Beachfroggy]

Thanks, i was hoping they'd be smart enough not to go way up in that one corner, and its only top few inches, i'll do like you suggested and not put any of the vines or wood up that high in that corner. Thanks on tankcompliment, . should look better and homey when furnished, probably need to cover the sides with paint design, i'm not good at art by painting---faux design with some sky at top would be great if anyone has any tricks for "painting for dummies".

[Heatheranne]

Oops, left . Sorry bout that. I think it will be fine. The decorations will block a smidge of the heat. Anything high up in that corner may get a bit too warm, but if you keep the decor a couple inches lower it should be fine. Misting also drops the tank a good 3 to 5 degrees for a short time depending on the temp of the misting water. The moist humidity will help average out the temp too. You could try a misting test. Spritz it down to 75 % and then recheck temps in about a half hour. Of course, the humidity will drop without your decor or substrate in there, but it should give you an idea of where the settings will linger.

[Heatheranne]

Ah yes...flybyferns has some great painting tips for backgrounds and/or side walls.

Of course, there's always tank backgrounds that can be used. Petsmart has nice vinyl cling ones in the reptile and aquarium sections.

[Heatheranne]

They are pretty smart . Mine never climb on the side wall heated with the heat pad. They do, however, love to sleep in the live plant that's about an inch away from it.

[Beachfroggy]

Oh i didn't think of the moist air doing that with temps, ok i have reptifogger (in bag on floor in photo lol) that i was gonna use with the 15 min interval hagen timer i got---that way wont run more than 15 min and i can set for as many times a day as i need---humidity now is bad like 40% bcuz we always run ac in house so i'll def need it, i'll try misting test first

[Heatheranne]

Okay. I'll peek back to see how it works for you. Your humidity will be better with your decorations in too, but at least you'll get an idea.