Quote Originally Posted by Nathan Tetzlaff View Post
I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm currently looking at buying an 18x18x18 Zoo Med terrarium. I'll likely be getting a fantasy pacman frog to be housed in it, but would like to have everything setup before I get him. Looking around the forum, it seems most people use the domed-bulbs on top of their terrariums, but I don't like the way it looks....Is there a reason people seem to prefer the domes over the hoods designed to fit the terrarium? I'm looking at the Zoo Med 18" hood. It can house 2 bulbs and has separate switches for each light. Assuming the hood isn't a bad choice, which bulbs would be appropriate to use for a green fantasy, and would it be possible to use just the bulbs for heating an 18x18x18? My house is usually cooled around 71-73 degrees.
Hello Nathan and welcome to FF. Would not get the 18 in. tall for a Pacman unless on a deal and cheaper than an 18x18x12 in. ExoTerra Small/Low. Pacmans do not need the extra height and the lower enclosure will look better IMO. A Fluker's Dome with dimmer and either a ceramic heat emitter or infrared bulb is the most economical and simple set-up; but if you want that top, this will help.

Do get the 18 in. ZooMed dual 60 watt max light, dual switch top and either a rheostat (manual) or thermostat (auto). You want your tank temp at 84F during day and around a 5 degree drop at night. Get a nice digital gauge like this one to help you track parameters in enclosure. Will probably need to cover the front half screen with saran wrap, aluminum foil, or a thin piece of polycarbonate plastic to help keep humidity up (75-80% is good).

Now you will need to tweak out the bulbs wattage. Talk to pet shop and see if they agree to take back bulbs for trade during this period in case need to. if a 60 watt bulb is enough to raise enclosure to 84F; then can use a 60W blue one for day and a 45-50 watt red (or black moonlight) for night. The controllers will do the final tweaking for you. If 60 watts is not enough; then get two 60 watt red bulbs and use controllers to dim power down as required. Be aware that as bulbs wattage goes up; you must increase misting. If a humidifier is on the plans; then a combo controller like this one is the way to go.

It's a hit and miss for a 2 in. frog and that size enclosure. Once temperatures and humidities are right, can try out and get Pacman. See if frog will feed couple days after move to it (let it chill out and do not handle other than for transfer). If it does, then it should be OK. If it does not eat for a week; then get a medium Exo Terra Breeding box and put some shredded coco, a water dish, the frog, and locate the whole thing inside your already tweaked enclosure until frog is maybe 3-4 in. Do remember to cover 3 sides to reduce stress and read this too for great info: Frog Forum - Pacman and Horned Frogs - Ceratophrys - Care and Breeding . Good luck !