New Owner | New Enclosure

[Rivermoore]

I'm wanting some feedback on the enclosure we put together for Puddles (Sulcata). After reading a TON on this forum I think we have a decent home for him.

• 116 Qt Sterilite container (made a split lid)
• Zoo Med Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp (on a day/night timer)
  • 100w ReptiSun Powersun UV (day)
  • 100w Ceramic heater (night)
• Coco substrate
• Ceramic pot hide and water dish
• Rectangle stepping stone for food area
• Cooler corner for growing grazing grass in the enclosure
• Rose bush, aloe vera, Prickly Pear cactus, edible weeds, and grazing grass are already growing in pots on the porch

Aluminum foil is secured over the opening where the lamp hangs down.


Peak inside. Smells like a little garden!


Left - Warm side
Right - Cool side
Basking - 95 degrees
Inside hide - 73 degrees

These temps were taken with the windows open in the apartment, so might be a little higher once the overall room temp is higher.

Any suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[Jodie]

Nice job. 73 is pretty low. Adjust so your low is 80 for babies. I am assuming since it is covered that the humidity is around 80%.

 

[Jodie]

Do you have night heat? I would put a CHE over by the hide on a thermostat with the probe inside the hide. Set it at 80F

 

[wellington]

Yes, for babies they need day and night temps no lower then 80 with a humidity of 80%. I would bury the water dish so it's level with the top of the substrate. Otherwise you did good.

 

[Rivermoore]

Thanks for the suggestions! I sunk the water dish in a little deeper.

We were messing around with the enclosure a bit before I took those first temp readings. It's now had a few hours to be completely enclosed. Here are the new readings:


Left - Warm side - Humidity around 60%
Right - Cool side - Humidity around 80%

I have a CHE on at night and temp right underneath is holding at 105 degrees.
Inside the hide is now 81 degrees.

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum!