Hi, I am in need of some advice!
I have a 7 month-old leopard tortoise who is currently living in a feeder tank (approx 5’x3’x18” tall), which is on a table and covered with a mini greenhouse.
I am using orchid bark as the substrate.
I recently purchased an 80 W RHP to replace am the CHE. I attached the RHP to a board and laid it across the top of the tank.
What I am finding is that the RHP alone is not enough to heat the tank, which, call me naïve but I thought it would?!
I am now trying different CHE wattage s to try and get the correct temperatures. I currently have the RHP on the right side of the tank, ACHE in the middle, just to the left of the RHP, and a T5UVB on the left side, which is supposed to be the cooler side.
Here’s what I am seeing and why I need more help:
1. If I put a 1 W CHE in, the temp on the right goes up to about 98°, but the temp on the left is at about 86°.
2. If I add an incandescent 65 W basking bulb in place of the CHE, the temp is in the low 80s.
3. If I use a 50 W CHE, The temp in the entire enclosure is only around 84°.
thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!
Katie
oh, and this is not his lifelong encclosure. I i’m hoping I can get it to work correctly for about another year. Thanks!
I have a 7 month-old leopard tortoise who is currently living in a feeder tank (approx 5’x3’x18” tall), which is on a table and covered with a mini greenhouse.
I am using orchid bark as the substrate.
I recently purchased an 80 W RHP to replace am the CHE. I attached the RHP to a board and laid it across the top of the tank.
What I am finding is that the RHP alone is not enough to heat the tank, which, call me naïve but I thought it would?!
I am now trying different CHE wattage s to try and get the correct temperatures. I currently have the RHP on the right side of the tank, ACHE in the middle, just to the left of the RHP, and a T5UVB on the left side, which is supposed to be the cooler side.
Here’s what I am seeing and why I need more help:
1. If I put a 1 W CHE in, the temp on the right goes up to about 98°, but the temp on the left is at about 86°.
2. If I add an incandescent 65 W basking bulb in place of the CHE, the temp is in the low 80s.
3. If I use a 50 W CHE, The temp in the entire enclosure is only around 84°.
thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!
Katie
oh, and this is not his lifelong encclosure. I i’m hoping I can get it to work correctly for about another year. Thanks!