Re: Novice Q's

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Posted by Mr. D on April 17, 2002 at 10:50:18:

In Reply to: Novice Q's posted by Paul on April 17, 2002 at 07:48:41:

Three things you should look into using, Paul.

1.) Radiant Heat Panels- a 150w panel should heat the enclosure very nicely. We've been running an Enerjoy brand in one enclosure for two years constantly now and have not had problem one with it in that time. From the numbers I've seen they are very efficient to run and use a relatively small amount of electricity, have a 10 year warranty, have built in safety measures, and only develop approximately 150* for a surface temperature. We control the ambient temp in the enclosure with an ESU Temp Controller and have had no problems with that either.

2.) ActiveUV or PowerSun mercury vapor bulbs for UV/basking heat. A 160w flood would also do very nicely in the planned size that you have. Bear in mind that a "full spectrum" bulb most definitely does NOT necessarily produce the required amounts of UVB. In your enclosure especially, I would seriously consider the mv bulbs as opposed to any fluorescent tube as the tubes will only throw any appreciabe UV for the first 12" away from the bulb. The mercury vapor bulbs not only produce more UV than tubes but also have the ability to actually throw it further. In fact, in an enclosure as large as yours, you may want to consider setting up more than one basking spot.

3.) If money is not a large concern you could go with an expensive misting system. Or pick up something like a Vicks ultrasonic humidifier and retrofit it with PVC pipe to plumb humidity wherever you would like it to enter the enclosure while keeping the unit itself outside for filling/control.

Unfortunately, mounting heaters UNDER an enclosure isn't recommended as it eliminates any possibility of creating any type of thermal gradient since it is usually cooler at the bottom of an enclosure. This is definitely necessary for the health of an ig.

Definitely pick up a copy of Hatfield's book. To date, it's the best reference book that I have found.

The Iguana Spot

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: Three things you should look into using, Paul. : 1.) Radiant Heat Panels- a 150w panel should heat the enclosure very nicely. We've been running an Enerjoy brand in one enclosure for two years constantly now and have not had problem one with it in that time. From the numbers I've seen they are very efficient to run and use a relatively small amount of electricity, have a 10 year warranty, have built in safety measures, and only develop approximately 150* for a surface temperature. We control the ambient temp in the enclosure with an ESU Temp Controller and have had no problems with that either. : 2.) ActiveUV or PowerSun mercury vapor bulbs for UV/basking heat. A 160w flood would also do very nicely in the planned size that you have. Bear in mind that a "full spectrum" bulb most definitely does NOT necessarily produce the required amounts of UVB. In your enclosure especially, I would seriously consider the mv bulbs as opposed to any fluorescent tube as the tubes will only throw any appreciabe UV for the first 12" away from the bulb. The mercury vapor bulbs not only produce more UV than tubes but also have the ability to actually throw it further. In fact, in an enclosure as large as yours, you may want to consider setting up more than one basking spot. : 3.) If money is not a large concern you could go with an expensive misting system. Or pick up something like a Vicks ultrasonic humidifier and retrofit it with PVC pipe to plumb humidity wherever you would like it to enter the enclosure while keeping the unit itself outside for filling/control. : Unfortunately, mounting heaters UNDER an enclosure isn't recommended as it eliminates any possibility of creating any type of thermal gradient since it is usually cooler at the bottom of an enclosure. This is definitely necessary for the health of an ig. : Definitely pick up a copy of Hatfield's book. To date, it's the best reference book that I have found.

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