I have my juvenile white's tree frog (Maurice) in a 20 gallon (vented in front and on top) terrarium, for heating I use a 75w infrared bulb, I also have a 40w uvb for daytime. The terrarium is in our finished basement which is heated by baseboard heaters. With the bulb I have to leave the heat on low all day to keep the cage the proper temperature, and it drys out the plants and substrate like crazy (I empty a 6oz spray bottle at least once a day)!
My questions are:
Is a mat heater the way to go? if so what size for a 12d x 22h x 20w?
Is there anything out there that can be put in or under the substrate to keep it humid and warm?
Why are you using UVB bulb?
To answer your question, that's what incandescents do. Your best bet is to get a lower wattage bulb and/or get a spotlight bulb. The spot will still dry the substrate, but it should be a more confined area.
Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)
The infrared bulb isn't a "spot/basking" lamp, it's just a red bulb. I'm aware that the frogs don't need a daytime light but I had it laying around, and it gets the terrarium to 85 during the day, and I have not read anything negative about using one (correct me if I'm wrong). Also if I go to a lower watt bulb I doubt that it will keep the terrarium warm enough. I am also looking to get to the point where I don't have to leave the baseboard heat on all day. To give you an idea its about 60 degrees f when the heat is off and about 70 when its on, and the terrarium is as close to the baseboard heat as safely possible.
Sorry, I missed the infrared bulb. That's a difficult question to answer. Having the terrarium in such a cold room necessitates decent heating, but decent heating will dry out your substrate, no matter what way you do it. You could try restricting the ventilation slightly - how much area is ventilation?
Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)
Vented top is aprox 11"x20" front panel is about 3"x20". On a previous setup I built a "rain system" I bought a pump, a couple valves and some tube. Mounted the pump in a plastic container (reservoir), ran tube to the cage. In the cage i made a oval out of the tube, drilled holes in it, flushed all the plastic bits out, and mounted it to the ceiling of the tank. I then put the pump on a timer to come on twice a day in one minute intervals. It worked however the holes in the plastic tube i used shot in strange directions or closed up. I tried PVC but the pressure was either way too much or not enough (couldn't find pvc smaller than 1/2 inch). I've seen systems like this but they are geared towards keeping plants not frogs and are way too big and too expensive, plus I'm a DIY kinda guy anyway. I also heated the water in the reservoir to 80 degrees f. I'm considering doing this again but I'd have to do better than last time. Do you know about/have you had experience with anything like that?
You could probably block out about half of that vent safely. Just keep in mind it will be hotter in there as a result, so you will almost certainly have to reduce your wattage.
Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)
Your rain system seems like a neat idea...
Wouldn't having some sort of a mister help, or would it just not do enough?
Ha I actually just discovered that there is a dimmer on my clamp lamp, so I guess I can just tone it down if it gets too hot. I actually have not looked into mister systems, that's a good idea. I'm more worried about the live plants than the frog because hes got a large water dish that I clean every day, so if he needs to get we he can. However when the substrate drys out its difficult to get it wet again (obviously) so a properly positioned mister system could work great. Can anyone recommend a good one?
I've never used a misting system but from what I have read, most people either build their own or use a proprietary one like a Mistking.
Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)
Hi
I have MistKing System in my terrariums, and I can say that was the best choice that I made to get the best humidity for my Dart Frogs.
If You have any questions - just ask
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