Re: Gila display cage: looking for useful suggestions

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Posted by The lizard dude on January 02, 2002 at 20:48:17:

In Reply to: Gila display cage: looking for useful suggestions posted by Pete...H on December 31, 2001 at 13:09:12:

: For being such a good guy this year, Santa brought me a hatchling suspectum. Actually, if you ask my wife I probably wasn�t as good as I think was and rather than Santa showing up at my door it was Mark Seward (who doesn�t even resemble Santa). Thanks Mark!

: Currently, I�m in the process of putting together ideas for a display cage for the Gila and I�d like to solicit some suggestions from all you seasoned keepers. What I would like to know is how you have combined the type of enclosure (glass, plastic, or wooden) with the type of heating arrangement (in/out of cage, thermostat yes/no, brand names, etc).

: Right now I am considering either an 18x18x48 or 18x24x48 glass enclosure (as I can�t find enough info on Vision cages to make an informed choice) to be placed on a wooden aquarium type stand with an internal heat source like the Heatwave Pig Blanket or the Kane Heat Mat, which are available through Bush Herp Supply and Herpsupplies.com respectively. What bothers me is that these heat sources will be visible in the cage and will be in potential contact with the aspen substrate. I�d consider using the mylar heat tape but am concerned that I would not be able to get enough air circulating between the bottom of the tank and the stand upon which it would rest.

: Any and all input on your setup(s) would be appreciated, even suggestions as to what not to do or products to avoid. Thanks in advance!

: Pete Humphrey

Well, Aspen wouldn't be the best of substrates to use if your putting a heat mat into it. I would Recomend Calci-sand but some people would dismiss that. I've heard stories of calci-sand killing lizards, but theres not enough Evidence to conclude this. Basiclly they found the lizard dead with some sand on it and they blamed it on the sand. I'm also opposed to using Heat rocks because they can burn the reptile. this is more common in Snakes, but lizards also burn themselves. I recomend Buying a flourescent light Fixture and getting a bulb That emits UVB rays. this important to desert lizards/snakes because it helps their bones develop. Then just buy a clamp-lampand get a 100-150 watt Red-light bulb or Ceramic heat emitter. I'm just not comfortable putting heat Mats or Rocks into my reptile cages for fear of them burning themselves, so i play it safe. As for Brand names, flukers, you cant go wrong with Flukers. They ake everything from Calci-sand to mealworms. Their a very good company to get your equipment from. i hope this helps
Any questions just email me at Rbarrera@adelphia.net

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: : For being such a good guy this year, Santa brought me a hatchling suspectum. Actually, if you ask my wife I probably wasn�t as good as I think was and rather than Santa showing up at my door it was Mark Seward (who doesn�t even resemble Santa). Thanks Mark! : : Currently, I�m in the process of putting together ideas for a display cage for the Gila and I�d like to solicit some suggestions from all you seasoned keepers. What I would like to know is how you have combined the type of enclosure (glass, plastic, or wooden) with the type of heating arrangement (in/out of cage, thermostat yes/no, brand names, etc). : : Right now I am considering either an 18x18x48 or 18x24x48 glass enclosure (as I can�t find enough info on Vision cages to make an informed choice) to be placed on a wooden aquarium type stand with an internal heat source like the Heatwave Pig Blanket or the Kane Heat Mat, which are available through Bush Herp Supply and Herpsupplies.com respectively. What bothers me is that these heat sources will be visible in the cage and will be in potential contact with the aspen substrate. I�d consider using the mylar heat tape but am concerned that I would not be able to get enough air circulating between the bottom of the tank and the stand upon which it would rest. : : Any and all input on your setup(s) would be appreciated, even suggestions as to what not to do or products to avoid. Thanks in advance! : : Pete Humphrey : Well, Aspen wouldn't be the best of substrates to use if your putting a heat mat into it. I would Recomend Calci-sand but some people would dismiss that. I've heard stories of calci-sand killing lizards, but theres not enough Evidence to conclude this. Basiclly they found the lizard dead with some sand on it and they blamed it on the sand. I'm also opposed to using Heat rocks because they can burn the reptile. this is more common in Snakes, but lizards also burn themselves. I recomend Buying a flourescent light Fixture and getting a bulb That emits UVB rays. this important to desert lizards/snakes because it helps their bones develop. Then just buy a clamp-lampand get a 100-150 watt Red-light bulb or Ceramic heat emitter. I'm just not comfortable putting heat Mats or Rocks into my reptile cages for fear of them burning themselves, so i play it safe. As for Brand names, flukers, you cant go wrong with Flukers. They ake everything from Calci-sand to mealworms. Their a very good company to get your equipment from. i hope this helps : Any questions just email me at Rbarrera@adelphia.net :

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