| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| WendyBall |
Posted - 26/05/2011 : 14:27:02
Hi again, so I am looking for advice again! 
I have decided to look forward to Rocky Van Boa's new home, a Vivexotic 55" Reptile Vivarium. I am ordering a heat matt to cover the 1/3 - 1/2 of the viv, but also want to get a spot bulb in there too, as we live a cool house and the viv may need that little 'extra' I know that I will need a ceramic holder, but was wondering which type of bulb to use, as for the bulb not to shatter with the humidity ? I am also wanting to use a night bulb (just for my viewing!) I was looking at ordering a plastic holder for a red/blue bulb, would this be okay with the humidity? also I will be getting 2 bulb guards. 
I plan to coat the viv (as it is flat packed) in water-based floor varnish so that it will be protected against the himidity and use a sealant around the gaps also.
Thank you again for all your suggestions, this forum is great!!
Rocky is doing so well in his RUB, just cannot wait to get him all set-up in something that I may (fingers crossed) be able to see him in! |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 03/06/2011 : 19:15:50
Interesting comment, Joe. I did not realize babies would tolerate temps that high. Gravid females, of course. Sadly, I saw one breeder the other day recommending a hot end of up to *95* for rainbows!
I keep my hot end around 81 these days (a bit warmer for gravid females), and the ambient room temp stays between 74 and 76. It seems to suit them fine. I've not really experimented with the night drop feature too much.
I know exactly what you mean about these critters not understanding "cold." One of the papers that studied Burmese Python survival in cold environs told about snakes leaving their heated retreats to go outside in the snow! (!) |
| flaboye |
Posted - 03/06/2011 : 00:34:03
90F or more yikes. I could see newborns liking something closer to 90 than 82, and even a gravid female may like huddling over the heat strips, but a normal hot end of 90 or above, that's, well hot :-)
My girl thrives at 80-82 with a low at night 70-75. That's within the range they experience in the wild. It gets colder than you may think at night in the forests they're indigeneous to. And remember they don't have any evolutionary tactics to deal with "cold", so they are pretty much exposed to the elements where they're from.
If you watch python hunters on natgeo wild, they're dealing with the problem we (florida) have with boas and pythons let loose down in the everglades. But even there, if we have a deep cold front, many die off, as they simply don't know what "cold" is. We've had hard freezes where I am and it's gotten into the high 30's, low 40's as far south as miami and the everlgades. Many of those exotics simply can't live through it, but some still survive to breed the next season as we are learning from that show.
As they continue to reproduce, it will be interesting to see how they "evolve" to deal with the winters. I suspect they'll do exactly that!
-Joe |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 27/05/2011 : 21:02:34
On the care sheets: as Joe pointed out, every one (unfortunately) suggests different rules. I still see sheets -- and even some breeders! -- saying a hot end of 90F (32C) or more is fine! I usually suggest 82F (28C) because it still gives a bit of margin for error if anything goes wrong.
Edit: fixed typo |
| flaboye |
Posted - 27/05/2011 : 15:02:19
@Wendy:
Those vivexotic's look really nice! Congratulations! Please let us see your setup when you get it all good to go. As Cliff said, lamps aren't really needed, not only do they dry the air out, but also your rainbow will hide out all day long. If you put plants and logs in there, it's possible he'll feel safe enough to hang out in the foliage so you may get treated to daytime viewing!
Night bulbs are the best bet to see him out doing their thing at dusk or shortly thereafter. I opted for a moon glo bulb, which is blue, but the red bulbs are also good, neither of these can the snake "see" so they are for you to be able to watch the snake.
Sounds like your boy is going to have a great home and a loving owner!
@PTM:
If you find 5 care sheets, you'll find 5 varying answers usually. Agreed, it would be nice if care sheets were consistent. They're guides, and everyone will have different opinions on top of the guides. As you said, you are probably better posting a thread and asking for opinions from keepers on what they do. |
| ptmbradley |
Posted - 27/05/2011 : 03:54:17
There are a few discrepancies between what the care sheet says on this site and the advice being given by members.
The care sheet for a start suggests the warm end should be 30 degrees C, when all the advice has been to say it should be about 28 and 30 could potentially cause serious harm! Also the care sheet says mats shouldn't be used for adults and bulbs are the preferred option!
I probably would go with the advice coming from you experienced keepers, but it would be nice if the care sheet corresponded! lol |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 26/05/2011 : 23:56:26
Hmmm, you've got me on that one, Jonathan. I'd not heard that, and a quick Internet search did not turn up any leads. But they must be available! Has anyone called two or three of the major UK reptile suppliers, or asked around at a major UK reptile show? Those would be my best suggestions.
Happy to help, Wendy. Glad to hear you will test first, that makes all the difference. Let us know how it goes! |
| WendyBall |
Posted - 26/05/2011 : 22:48:57
Thanks Cliff, totally forgot about the heat bulbs zapping the humidity!
I will stick to the red/blue night bulb, which gives off no heat! - still with guard though!
I am planning on setting up and test driving before Rocky Van Boa moves in, so maybe the heat mat will be enough, if not, I will look at other alternatives.
Thank you again for your help
Have to admit - I did have to look up the RHP, hadn't heard of that one! |
| JKCarter |
Posted - 26/05/2011 : 21:43:22
Cliff,
I've heard from other UK members that they were having issues finding anyone that would ship a RHP over there. Do you know of any makers of RHP's that ship to the UK?? |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 26/05/2011 : 20:45:14
Wendy, I'm glad to hear Rocky is doing well! Congrats on the new home plan!
I would skip the bulb entirely and, if you need to supplement, use another device. As you seem aware, bulbs are not great choices for rainbow vivs because they dry out the air. Maybe try a small radiant heat panel?
A light for only night viewing is fine. Red bulbs are often recommended for this purpose.
Aim for the mat to be able to cover 1/2 if you like, but I would only use it for 1/3 to start. A little temporary underheating may be uncomfortable, but overheating can kill.
Good luck! |
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