Another Leo Viv project
- Thread starter bwoodfield
- Start date
bwoodfield
New member
I am thank you. I'm still having some heating issues though. :-x It's really starting to confuse me, I currently have 2 thermometers in the new viv, both on the floor in the exact same spot. The digital (which seems to be wonky) reads anywhere from 95 to 101. My glass aquarium thermometer reads just over 90.
The problem I have with the digital is there are two buttons, one to turn it on and off, the other to switch between celsius and fahrenheit. If you tap the on/off button it will update the reading on the display. When I check the tank I turn on the digital, tap the mode to get fahrenheit and check the reading. If I tap the on/off button over and over I get readings all over the place; 95, 98, 94, 101, 93, etc. I know that a digital is suppose to be more accurate but I'm seriously thinking it's screwed. The only thing that I'm thinking is the digital is made for an aquarium where you stick the end about 2-3 inches into the water, where I have the entire cable in the vivarium and 80% of it is under the foam rock so the foam (being insulation) is trapping the heat against the cable throwing off the readings.
I'm more comfortable with the glass thermometer reading, but I don't want to put Buffy in there if it is actually getting up to 100f. I'm going to stop at a couple of places today to see if I can pick up another thermometer to get another opinion on the temperature. If it backs up the glass thermometer reading then she will be more than likely going in tonight.
krazykoleen
New member
Really Cool Infrared Temp. Gun To Make Sure Your Viv Is Cozy!!!
Just a little FYI... I picked up one of these Infrared Temperature Gun Thermometer's w/ Laser Sight from Amazon.com for $18.30!!! It's really great and pretty accurate too! You can turn the laser sight off so it won't hurt your gecko's eyes and it will give you an instant read anywhere in the viv. I got it for just double checking my thermometer readings. I want my little leo to have things nice and cozy! :lol:
Here's the link...Amazon.com: Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight: Home Improvement
Just a little FYI... I picked up one of these Infrared Temperature Gun Thermometer's w/ Laser Sight from Amazon.com for $18.30!!! It's really great and pretty accurate too! You can turn the laser sight off so it won't hurt your gecko's eyes and it will give you an instant read anywhere in the viv. I got it for just double checking my thermometer readings. I want my little leo to have things nice and cozy! :lol:
Here's the link...Amazon.com: Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight: Home Improvement
bwoodfield
New member
Thats such a great price.. but they won't ship to Canada :-x
bwoodfield
New member
I've got the temperature range on the warm side between 92-97, YAY! :cheer:
Buffy got her first look at her new home this morning.. and she promptly hid in the moist hide. After about 15 min she crawled up into the tunnel and fell asleep so no pictures yet. Hopefully I will be able to get a couple of good shots on her later tonight.
Buffy got her first look at her new home this morning.. and she promptly hid in the moist hide. After about 15 min she crawled up into the tunnel and fell asleep so no pictures yet. Hopefully I will be able to get a couple of good shots on her later tonight.
krazykoleen
New member
:cheer: YAY!!!! So happy for you friend! I'm sure Buffy loves it! Can't wait to see pics of her in her new paradise! 
bwoodfield
New member
Final shots of the Viv... Buffy enjoying her new home...
mmmm belly heat...
mmmm belly heat...
fab
New member
i plan to do something like this when i build a new terrarium for my leo. what brand of heat pad and heat cable did you use and how could the heat pad penetrate through ceramic?
bwoodfield
New member
The heat cable is an exoterra 15W. It's radiant heat so the slate tile tends to conduct it, and hold onto it quite well. It's not an instant heating, it took about 4 hrs for it to fully warm up when I first plugged it in, but at the same time it would take about 3-4 hrs to fully cool to room temperature.
If you're building a vivarium, think about how you would like it to be aesthetically as well as functionally. Buffy's tank is more of a square cube than long rectangle like most tanks, so I built the foam rock that works well for that tank style. If I was taller or longer I would have built it differently.
Thank you for the compliments...
panthergecko
Active member
hey its been a while how about an update with pics?
LedgysLizards
New member
coolest tank ever.
highlandwolf
New member
That is some really awsome work you have done there,well done :yikes:
bwoodfield
New member
The sliding doors are done with an 'E' track and plexiglass. The 'E' track can usually be found at most hardware or home improvement stores. It's usually sold in two pieces (top and bottom) in varying lengths. The piece I got was 36" for $5. As for the doors I simply measured the inside of the tank (22") halved it (11") and added some for overlap (12"). As for the height, once the E track was in place I measured from the bottom of the interior of the tank to the bottom of the upper piece of E track. Measuring in this fashion made it fit perfectly.
