New Terrarium Set Up Questions.

[dubbean]

Thanks. I am ordering the light bar for this terrarium. I don't want to take chances. Last year I had a pacman frog that I accidentally killed by not having a heat source for him as winter approched. I don't want to make the same mistake this winter by not having sufficient heating. The highest wattage the light bar can take is 100W. Should I get this wattage? I would be using it with a thermostat set at 82F. Also, I'm leaning towards a ceramic heat emitter since it will be INSIDE the terrarium and light bulbs tend to rust and break with the humidity. What do you think? I probably could use a bulb made for turtle tanks if you think that would be better.

[Mentat]

I just bought a Zoo Med 18X18X18" terrarium yesterday. I currently own a 10-20gallon zoo-med UTH which I had planned on sticking to the side of the new terrarium. My home temp doesn't go below 70F. Is this UTH big enough? If not, what do you use? When using eco-earth in a tank this large, do you do a complete change out of the substrate or just spot clean? If you do a complete substrate change, how often do you do it? ...

UTH will probably need help from heat lamp. You can spot clean substrate as required and do full change once a month. Also, would wait until Ornate measures 3 to 3.5 in. snout to vent (SVL) before releasing in the Zoo Med enclosure.

Thanks. I am ordering the light bar for this terrarium. I don't want to take chances. Last year I had a pacman frog that I accidentally killed by not having a heat source for him as winter approched. I don't want to make the same mistake this winter by not having sufficient heating. The highest wattage the light bar can take is 100W. Should I get this wattage? I would be using it with a thermostat set at 82F. Also, I'm leaning towards a ceramic heat emitter since it will be INSIDE the terrarium and light bulbs tend to rust and break with the humidity. What do you think? I probably could use a bulb made for turtle tanks if you think that would be better.

Issue with having light fixture inside tank is humidity. Recommend get the ceramic heat emitter. Would unplug fixture during monthly clean-up, unscrew emitter, and revise there is no corrosion in socket, etc. If you need a light to observe, a regular daylight or LED outside enclosure should do. Good luck !

[dubbean]

Thanks. Zuma is almost 3.5" in length now that's why she is being moved the bigger tank as soon as I get everything all set up (probably on Thursday). She is growing very fast. I was also leaning towards the ceramic heat emitter and regular day light. I'll attach pictures once everything is set up. I'm waiting for the light fixture to arrive from Amazon. It should be here Wednesday. In the mean time, I'm going to pick up the ceramic heater and a larger soaking bowl.