Re: Personal preferences....

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Posted by Mr. D on February 17, 2002 at 10:02:13:

In Reply to: Re: Personal preferences.... posted by Mike on February 16, 2002 at 15:01:34:

Sorry it took so long, Mike. Small amounts of cash are starting to come in and I've been running around buying supplies the last two days. 20 mv bulbs, ceramic fixtures, extension cords, timers and power strips can be hard to round up....;)

One thing to remember is that this enclosure, unless you are an absolute master craftsman, isn't going to be airtight so you're always going to have at least SOME air exchange. What you are shooting for is to be able to control as much of that airflow as possible. For the bottom vent, I would take that 1'x1' dimension and either drill a series of holes (1/2" or so in size)within that dimension or cut a series of vertical lines with something like a jigsaw, again within that diminsion. Cover it on the inside of the enclosure with 1/2" hardware cloth. I don't recommend using 1/4" anymore due to the ease that claws may become caught in it. As with just about everything else with iguanas - bigger is better.

I apologize for using the term "muffin" fan. That's just what we've always called them in my business. All they are is a small square fan unit like the one in the back of your computer. They do come in varying sizes but, unfortunately, I don't have a source for them. Building a small box for the fan to live in and attaching it over a cutout in the top of the opposite wall will help draw air up and through the enclosure. Again, cover the hole with 1/2" hardware cloth.

The radiant heat panel should be no problem in an apartment at all if you are concerned with code violations. I would personally be more concerned with something like a CHE than an RHP. HEating pads are good for incidental heating if you feel you need to have some form of ground heat but other than that they do not throw nearly enough heat for an enclosure. What you are trying to accomplish with the RHP is heating the entire air space in the enclosure to such a degree that you can create and maintain varying temperature gradients. A heating pad simply does not have that capacity.

The mv bulb info can be found at www.uvheat.com or on one of the pages at our site. If you're familiar with Ms. Kaplan's site you'll know that she is dead set against the bulbs. How this is possible I'm not sure because I don't think she's ever personally even examined one. Take a look at all of the info that you can find on them and form your own opinion is the best that I can suggest. Having said that, keep in mind that I've been running a dozen of the bulbs in my home for over a year now with absolutely zero ill effects.

If you do end up going with an MV bulb, you'll only have to use one. You do not need UV coverage throughout the enclosure. As you'll find out, After you spnd all of this time sweating, swearing and building this great enclosure for this ig, he'll most likely only use the upper 1/3 of it. LOL

6x6x4 is definitely large enough for him. In fact, it may be a bit difficult for you to manage unless you can physically walk into it and reach the back walls. Keep that in mind otherwise you may never be able to get Jupiter out of it once you put him in. The quickly learn just how far the human arm can extend and enjoy playing just outside of that reach....;)

Good luck and don't hesitatie to contact us directly if you'd rather. We'll do what we can to help....;)

The Iguana Spot

Follow Ups:

Re: Personal preferences.... Mike 02/17/02 (3)
- Re: Personal preferences.... Mr. D 02/18/02 (2)
  - Re: Personal preferences.... Mike 02/18/02 (1)
    - Re: Personal preferences.... Mr. D 02/19/02 (0)

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: Sorry it took so long, Mike. Small amounts of cash are starting to come in and I've been running around buying supplies the last two days. 20 mv bulbs, ceramic fixtures, extension cords, timers and power strips can be hard to round up....;) : One thing to remember is that this enclosure, unless you are an absolute master craftsman, isn't going to be airtight so you're always going to have at least SOME air exchange. What you are shooting for is to be able to control as much of that airflow as possible. For the bottom vent, I would take that 1'x1' dimension and either drill a series of holes (1/2" or so in size)within that dimension or cut a series of vertical lines with something like a jigsaw, again within that diminsion. Cover it on the inside of the enclosure with 1/2" hardware cloth. I don't recommend using 1/4" anymore due to the ease that claws may become caught in it. As with just about everything else with iguanas - bigger is better. : I apologize for using the term "muffin" fan. That's just what we've always called them in my business. All they are is a small square fan unit like the one in the back of your computer. They do come in varying sizes but, unfortunately, I don't have a source for them. Building a small box for the fan to live in and attaching it over a cutout in the top of the opposite wall will help draw air up and through the enclosure. Again, cover the hole with 1/2" hardware cloth. : The radiant heat panel should be no problem in an apartment at all if you are concerned with code violations. I would personally be more concerned with something like a CHE than an RHP. HEating pads are good for incidental heating if you feel you need to have some form of ground heat but other than that they do not throw nearly enough heat for an enclosure. What you are trying to accomplish with the RHP is heating the entire air space in the enclosure to such a degree that you can create and maintain varying temperature gradients. A heating pad simply does not have that capacity. : The mv bulb info can be found at www.uvheat.com or on one of the pages at our site. If you're familiar with Ms. Kaplan's site you'll know that she is dead set against the bulbs. How this is possible I'm not sure because I don't think she's ever personally even examined one. Take a look at all of the info that you can find on them and form your own opinion is the best that I can suggest. Having said that, keep in mind that I've been running a dozen of the bulbs in my home for over a year now with absolutely zero ill effects. : If you do end up going with an MV bulb, you'll only have to use one. You do not need UV coverage throughout the enclosure. As you'll find out, After you spnd all of this time sweating, swearing and building this great enclosure for this ig, he'll most likely only use the upper 1/3 of it. LOL : 6x6x4 is definitely large enough for him. In fact, it may be a bit difficult for you to manage unless you can physically walk into it and reach the back walls. Keep that in mind otherwise you may never be able to get Jupiter out of it once you put him in. The quickly learn just how far the human arm can extend and enjoy playing just outside of that reach....;) : Good luck and don't hesitatie to contact us directly if you'd rather. We'll do what we can to help....;)

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