Metal surround with glass sliding doors and like metal mesh for the top of the tank.can anyone tell me how or where i would set up the lighting and heat mat as heat travels through metal very easily.considering humidity,warmth and a cool spot.
2007-01-18 23:48:53 · 2 answers · asked by tim w 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Lighting should be put on the top/hung from the top of the tank - especially if the animal you are housing needs UVB lighting. UVB won't penetrate glass (and definitely not metal). You don't mention the dimensions of your tank, but UVB is not effective unless it's within a foot of the animal.
Heating should probably be done with ceramic heat emitter or heat lamp the same way. Any undertank heating pad (never use heat rocks! they can burn your animal and cause electric shocks) will will conduct heat through the metal and you won't get a good "cool spot". Use a deep substrate and aim your heat light/CHE at that so heat will dissipate.
Hope you aren't planning to keep an iguana - they spray salt and salt will corrode your metal.
2007-01-19 05:06:32 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what animal or reptile are you trying to house? you can get a flukers brand overhead heating/lighting set up.. but as far as a heat mat and heat rocks go id ESPECIALLY avoid them in this situation. remember it needs to be wide enough to have a basking area and a cooler side. i dont know if i like the idea of a metal vivarium, if it gets to hot...it could burn youre reptile.
2007-01-19 01:54:18 · answer #2 · answered by Twilite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋