We are happily anticipating the arrival of some new Leo's next week and wanted to share our attempt at a closed chamber and see what you think. Also a few questions. (Will post pics tomorrow if I can)
The basic set up is a 60 gallon tub with 6 inches of peat moss and a humid hide with Sphagnum moss inside. My husband was able to cut a hole in the tubs kid and instal plexiglass. I then made two holes for the lights and humidifier. Today was the first day I was able to truly test temps with the correct humidity. Here are my questions.
1. Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH humidity? Since I installed the humidifier the humidity has been at basically 99%. I have moved the gage around (need to get a second still) to include the closest, farthest, humid hide eat and all is 99%. My plan is to let the humidifier run all night and get the substrate and all nice and wet and then maybe leave it off for the day to see how it affects the humidity. I am thinking I will be able to have it off days and on nights?
2. How far away should the CHE be from the basking spot? I know it has a lot to do with temps, but I have heard of shells getting burns too. I got a 150w CHE but I wish I would have stuck with a 100 or maybe even 75. The temps have been upwards of 150f and I moved it up and it got to 130, but I can't really move it more with my set up.
3. I have seen people put the lam directly on the plexiglass or tank maybe but put tin foil around the parameter. Does this help with the heating? I think I want to do something like this but my husband is worried it will melt the plexiglass.
Thanks for any suggestions or anything. Will keep it updated, hopefully I can get all straightened out before Leo babies are here Thursday!
The basic set up is a 60 gallon tub with 6 inches of peat moss and a humid hide with Sphagnum moss inside. My husband was able to cut a hole in the tubs kid and instal plexiglass. I then made two holes for the lights and humidifier. Today was the first day I was able to truly test temps with the correct humidity. Here are my questions.
1. Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH humidity? Since I installed the humidifier the humidity has been at basically 99%. I have moved the gage around (need to get a second still) to include the closest, farthest, humid hide eat and all is 99%. My plan is to let the humidifier run all night and get the substrate and all nice and wet and then maybe leave it off for the day to see how it affects the humidity. I am thinking I will be able to have it off days and on nights?
2. How far away should the CHE be from the basking spot? I know it has a lot to do with temps, but I have heard of shells getting burns too. I got a 150w CHE but I wish I would have stuck with a 100 or maybe even 75. The temps have been upwards of 150f and I moved it up and it got to 130, but I can't really move it more with my set up.
3. I have seen people put the lam directly on the plexiglass or tank maybe but put tin foil around the parameter. Does this help with the heating? I think I want to do something like this but my husband is worried it will melt the plexiglass.
Thanks for any suggestions or anything. Will keep it updated, hopefully I can get all straightened out before Leo babies are here Thursday!