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Post by Thunder380Lady on Mar 10, 2004 13:16:00 GMT -8
Hello....
I bought one of those ceramic flat coiled heat emitters from my local pet shop.
When I brought it home and plugged it in, it made kind of a cracking , ticking sound. It also had a slight burning smell. The cord also was getting a little warm after being plugged in for about 15 minutes.
Is any of this normal?
I returned it to the store, and bought heat bulbs instead.
Karen
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Post by Tesa on Mar 10, 2004 13:27:22 GMT -8
YIKES!!  No it is certainly not normal! It sounds as tho the pet store failed to inform you that you have to have a porcelain socket to use with CHE's. Good thing you were right there to observe it! |
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Post by Thunder380Lady on Mar 10, 2004 13:38:22 GMT -8
Thanks Tesa for your reply to my post.
I did use the CHE in the Medium sized Flukers light dome with a ceramic socket. Thats why I didn't think it was working right.
I now use a basking light to keep Lenore warm during the day, and I use a Repti Sun black light to keep her warm at night.
I hope using these lights are sufficient.
Karen
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Post by Tesa on Mar 10, 2004 13:45:34 GMT -8
What you are using will work just fine assuming you are monitoring the temps and using lower or higher wattage as necessary to adjust the temps to her needs.
The temp of her basking spot should be measure exactly where her body lays: even a few inches away will give you inaccurate readings.
I don't even have to use any lights at night for mine. Her cage stays at 72 overnight. **lucky me**
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Post by Thunder380Lady on Mar 10, 2004 14:55:24 GMT -8
Hi again Tesa~ Am I bugging you yet??? ;D I try to control myself when it comes to posting, because I could ask a million questions if you let me!  Anyways~~ I keep a thermometer right next to her hammock where she loves to relax. During the day it stays around 85-90,at night it goes down to about 80. I sure hope those are adequate temps. She seems to be doing just fine with them. Right now since she is still a juvenile I am keeping her in a 55 gallon aquarium, but at the rate she is growing I am going to be building her a really large, (8 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft) home. I hope i will be able to keep the temps adjusted well in it since it will be made from an open air screen type material. By the way,, she has grown 4 inches in 5 weeks. Is that good? Karen |
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Post by Tesa on Mar 10, 2004 15:13:49 GMT -8
That's awesome!! lol
and isnt it amazing the rate they grow??
Your daytime temps are fine, but you might wanna try lowering them at night. Try to get the temp to about 72-75 at night. (my girl does just fine at 70)
Their bodies need to cool down at night while they sleep just like ours do.
Its not possible to ask too many questions! We love it here!!
You definately are NOT bugging me. :-)
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Post by Tesa on Mar 10, 2004 17:08:37 GMT -8
It just occured to me that you mentioned you plan to use screen for her new cage. Iguanas are notorious for rubbing their noses against the screen, often to the point of causing major damage to themselves. Plastic coated screen can be used more safely, but I don't know what the cost is ......  |
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Post by Thunder380Lady on Mar 10, 2004 17:33:11 GMT -8
I was thinking about using something like chicken wire, but then got to thinking maybe I should go with using plexi-glass and using the wire just for air vents and on the top of her new cage. I surely don't want to use something that she could possibly hurt herself on. Karen  |
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Post by Tesa on Mar 10, 2004 17:44:33 GMT -8
Plexiglass is expensive and kinda hard to work with if you have to do it yourself. BUT..... I used it for Thrasher's first cage. It is wonderful when it comes to insulation, cleaning, and holding humidity. (That was before I knew how fast they grow) The second cage we made for her (6 months later lol)I used pegboard for the walls and limited the plexiglass to the doors. Give it lots of thought before you make your final plans.  There is alot to be considered. |
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Post by dominick on Mar 11, 2004 15:10:22 GMT -8
Hi Karen-
Chicken wire is a no-no for Igs. They can get seriously injured with it.
Use a combination of coated wire mesh and ply or peg.
The trick is to keep the heat at the top of the enclosure where they bask.
There are several excellent examples of enclosures on this site. Please take a look at them.
Good Luck!
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Post by prism_wolf on Mar 14, 2004 20:12:52 GMT -8
Actually...your basking area needs to be between 92-96. The ambient air temp is fine at around 80-85. The night temps will be best at about 75. I use a plastic extruded mesh for my enclosures. Origuanlly used for fisheries it lasts forever. I'm on my second year with the outdoor cage and there's no sign at all of any weathering. This stuff is supposed to have a very low decay rate. I know of someone who has had their outdoor cage for several years with no signs of wear. For a little over $65 I got about 35 linear feet. It covers the doors on the indoor cage and made an entire outdoor enclosure used in conjunction with pvc. I have also used hardware cloth from the garden dept. in Lowe's. It's really a plastic mesh, too...though not as sturdy as the other stuff I use. The people at Internet Plastics are great. I talked to a rep when first calling on the free sample packet they distribute and must have talked to her for 20 minutes. She had never heard of it being used for an iguana cage. Here's the link: www.internetplastic.com/plastic_mesh.htm. Go to the "extruded" menu selection. I think mine was the XB1133. The largest mesh...good for large igs...but babies heads fit through pretty well. Call them and get your free sample packet... ;D |
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Post by Tesa on Mar 15, 2004 5:02:23 GMT -8
How much is in the free sample packet?? Ya reckon I could get an outdoor cage out of this?? ;D (I'm looking at the site now.....great link!) |
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Post by Lyn on Mar 15, 2004 5:28:37 GMT -8
I dont think I would use plastic mesh on an outdoor cage...the sun would break it down too fast...might want to use coated metal wire for the outdoor unit...just a thought...Lyn and I have that site on my bookmarks...
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Post by prism_wolf on Mar 15, 2004 14:18:13 GMT -8
Hey Lyn... This stuff is different. The decay rate on this is so minimal. As I said it is used for fisheries. This stuff is made to last the elements. It's not at all like the stuff you get from Lowe's or Home Depot. The hardware cloth I would expect to replace after a couple of years. I can ask exactly how long this other person has has theirs to back up what I'm saying, but mine has seen rain, hot TN sun, snow and ice and still looks brand new. I have had it for 2 yrs now. If you decide to talk to a rep...ask them what the specific decay rate is on this stuff. It's a toll free number. Here's what my cage looks like: album4055.fotopic.net/p852249.htmlHere's a better look at the shelf: album4055.fotopic.net/p406289.html |
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Post by Lyn on Mar 15, 2004 14:40:04 GMT -8
hmmmm thats interesting...must be tough stuff...glad you corrected me...your igs look great....glad to see the pics too...Lyn
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