Getting ready to make a better enclosure

[Mommy2many]

Don't let it fool you. But it gets the job done. And at 1/3 the price.

[kibakiba]

Ineed. I'm sure my little Mama and Snakey would enjoy cuddling up under it

[Mommy2many]

I think it spreads the light/heat further.

[kibakiba]

That may be a problem if its really large, but I noticed a smaller one that's close to what I have for the babies. Snakey and Mama have a 15 gallon tank and the lamp I have had to be a certain way so they could have a heat gradient

[Mommy2many]

Mine are 29 gallon, so I think it would be just fine for your 15 gal. at the end of the tank. If you are concerned, don't use a heat lamp bulb. On my 29 gal. tank, heat registers at about 80 degrees. Regular bulb. Near thermostat.

[kibakiba]

The only other types of light we have are florescent bulbs, and using them would worry me. I had one on the baby's tank because their other burnt out, it gave off a weird smell and it was out of there right after. My mom doesn't buy anything but florescent. (which is bad for me... Headache prone)

[Mommy2many]

yeah, know how that is, 34 years migrainal (if that's a word at all)

[kibakiba]

I'm not sure if its a word, but it fits. What's the fun in using regular boring words...

[fish_4_all]

Thank you all for the ideas. I am only using a 10 gallon so it might be hard to find a small enough one but I will look for a good lamp. I still haven't decided if I will go with a heat lamp because of the small tank or just get a small T5 flourescent. I can always shade off one side of the light so only one part gets light but I have lots of hiding places. The Carefresh is 2 inches deep anyway so Jippers can always burrow if she wants to get out of the light.

I want to make some wood hiding places. What would be the best way to sterilize them after I cut them and shape them the way I want them? I figure I can make them for about $2 each or less instead of buying them for $15-20 each for a hallowed out log.

[kibakiba]

Regular pet lamps work for that, you probably need a lower wattage though, 20-30 should do. This would be small enough and could hold the basking bulb and its cheaper than the pet shop ones. Designers Edge Incandescent Clamp Light - E-244 at The Home Depot


I think someone has said to get the wood slightly damp and to put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Someone else could confirm that or correct me. Just get some sticks and wood from outside, that's what I do and I've never had a problem. Besides, its free.