Basking site questions

Epiphile · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 05:37 PM

So I ended up rescuing (adopting is putting it far too lightly- shudder) an anole from someone unfit to care for it (and how). I was in the process of working on a viv anyways, so I guess the timing could have been worse. I've got a reasonable good place to house him in the interim, but I have questions about how best to engineer a basking site for him/her/it.

Basically I've got an upended 29G tank that I'll be using- automated misting, lots of ventilation, plenty of climbing space, foliage, microclimates, etc. The background will likely be done with PU foam. I intend to create a basking site at the top and at one side of the tank, and am wondering how might be the best way to do it. I'm open to pretty much anything at the moment- as it happens I broke the glass of what's to be the top of this tank, so I could do glass again, or screen if a heat lamp would be the best option. I'm thinking that with the foam on the back, one of those heat pads may not efficiently transfer enough heat to the inside of the tank to be of use, though it'd be my preference due to the fact that it'd be subtle. I also won't need to get more than ten degrees F of extra heat as the heat from the fluorescent lamp ballasts do a fine job already.

Any suggestions would be well appreciated- thanks.

froggsong · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 08:29 PM

If it were me, since the glass is broken, I would build a hood for the top to house the lights and use screen to keep him out of them. It will make the tank look more finished, imo.

As for the light to use, I would go with one of those small halogen spots, in a low wattage. It will give you the best concentrated spot and be small enough that if you have to put it inside the tank you can. You should even be able to hide it within some foam, though you might have to use some heat resistant stuff (maybe the fireproofing GS? does anyone know if there would be any toxicity issues with that type?). The great thing about the halogens is that you can place them farther away and still get that higher temp basking spot, so you could even conceal the light in a front corner and aim it where you need it near the back.

Epiphile · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 10:16 PM

Hm- good idea with the halogen spot. I was mulling over building a hood for another tank but if I shortened it it'd fit here on this one, I bet. I could install a few compact fluorescents and a single halogen at the end. Any recommended wattage with the halogen?

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 11:16 PM

It will just depend on how close the spot is to the basking area. I would recommend shooting it at an angle from the front to the back so that it isn't too strong. I've not used the little ones so I'm not sure how much heat they produce. To give you a rough idea, I am using a 60W halogen to get around 120 degrees in the beardie tank. So I would think something like a 15 or 20W would work, if the little ones produce the same amount of heat per watt.

Epiphile · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 07:41 AM

Alright-thanks. I'll let you know how it works out.

It's going to be a bit tricky, I think, to do this with a screen top because of the misting system- it tends to be pretty, er, thorough, and I don't want water getting into the hood. Also, I don't want the screen top limiting the amount of plant-useable light to the bottom of the tank. Back to the drawing board...

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 10:05 AM

Hmmm... Well, if the fluorescents won't get hot enough to burn the lizard, you could always just screen the halogen, or you can have a glass top with a screened place underneath the halogen. Also, you can use screen with a fairly large gauge, it only has to be small enough to keep the lizard out of the hood. Hardware cloth should be sufficient and shouldn't limit the light very much at all, not anything like mesh would. The main issue is keeping the lizard of of the bulbs so he can't get burned, and there are lots of ways to accomplish that. If necessary you could even have the halogen pointing straight down through a hole cut in the glass (with the bulb positioned so that it is flush with the glass). That way you'd get your heat where you need it and still be able to use a glass top. You can get those little can lights for the small halogens if you don't want to make it too complicated with the wiring.

Epiphile · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 11:24 AM

I guess a glass top is the best way to go, then, with a screened spot left open for the halogen. I like the idea of mounting the halogen flush with the glass, so I might wire it with a dimmer or something so I can get the heat just right.

Jeez, this is complex- reptiles are so much more picky than plants.

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 04:10 PM

Yes and no, lol... A dimmer is definitely a good idea, and should negate the reasoning behind mounting the bulb at an angle. As far as that goes, my concern was actually more for your plants than for the lizard. The anole can move from beneath the light if he gets too warm, a plant cannot. I'd hate to see you burn any of your plants.

Epiphile · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 04:21 PM

Aw heck, it wouldn't be the first time. I don't know if I'll be able to plant much in that spot anyways, as I'm going to try and keep it out of the water's path if I can. Maybe Tillandsias or something...

Heh- I know it's anthropomorphizing, but you should see the look on the poor little guy's face when he gets rained on in the tank he's in for the meanwhile. So irritated...

froggsong · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 04:23 PM

lol... I know that irritated anole look. My Brutus would give me that look pretty often. He was darned cool. I miss him. Maybe I'll get some more anoles one of these days.