Red Eyed Crocodile Skink Tank - Page 4

Hiide · #31 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 03:04 PM

I'm not so much worried about heating the tank to maintain temperatures, just getting the right UVB lighting the lizard would require. The breeder gave me the name of a specific bulb and bright light that could just be used for lighting purposes.

I know you mentioned earlier that I could just mount the lamps inside of the aquarium, but wouldn't the humidity affect the lighting in some way? Do you know any ways around this?

If I can't get the lamps rigged inside the aquarium, I'll have to use wiremesh screening ontop of the canopy, with the lights ontop of that.

froggsong · #32 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm planning to just mount mine inside. If I get to feeling like it might be a problem humidity wise, I'll probably just coat any places I think moisture might get into the housing with silicone. Externally ballasted systems just hang into the tank, so I don't see why it would be a problem.

Even with wire mesh, your lights are still going to be exposed to humidity. Every morning when I lift the light hood for my CWD, there is enough condensation on the inside to drip off. That's with a night heat bulb running (the moisture is always on the opposite end). I've been using that hood for at least two years now and it has never had a problem. When the lights are on, they aren't hot, but they should be warm enough to keep moisture from collecting on them.

If you really wanted to use screen (which is going to cause you to loose alot of humidity as well as block some of the UV), go with a larger gauge. Get the one with the biggest holes that your animals aren't going to be able to fit through. I'd still build a box around the lights myself, but then you'd just be doing basically the same thing as mounting them inside.

I've also successfully kept a fluorescent over the top of my aquarium with no barrier between. The light was situated almost directly over the top of the bubble stone, which was constantly throwing up moisture.

I wish beck would speak up here... I'm sure he uses fluorescents on his fish tanks, maybe he can give you some advice from experience with fluorescents being exposed to humidity.

Hiide · #33 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:34 PM

Well, from mounting the lighting fixtures in the aquarium, I keep getting the idea that you can only do it with flourscent light fixtures (The Long Vertical fixtures).

I'd like to not have to buy new lamps/lighting fixtures. Right now I have two lamps with clamps that are 120watt and 60watt. Can you think of anyway they could be clamped into the aquarium or hung?

I appreciate the help; the lighting is the only concern I have for the construction.

froggsong · #34 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:37 PM

I'm sorry, but I can't recommend a way for you to mount a regular fixture for your UV as I believe that the compact fluorescent UV bulbs are too risky. They just aren't safe.

Hiide · #35 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggsong

I'm sorry, but I can't recommend a way for you to mount a regular fixture for your UV as I believe that the compact fluorescent UV bulbs are too risky. They just aren't safe.

Well then, it looks like I'm going to have to buy the fluorsecent stripe fixtures....

But, just thinking and looking at the breeders enclosures for her adult MHD's, she uses wiremesh covering a top half of her enclosure, with the compact lamps above that... I would do something like that, but it cuts down on the height of the enclosure tremendously.

I guess I'll just buy some fluorescent stripes... How do you mount them into the enclosure themself? I was thinking along the lines of having hooks attached to the roof that the fixtures could sort of hang on, or using some sort of support of wood to hold them up.