Leopard/sulcata starter

[Lanutheleopard]

Your levels sound pretty good right now, I’m sure it’ll be fine till you figure a more permanent way

18” should be just enough height for the recommended bulbs, it’s not a whole lot of wiggle room, I prefer an enclosure around 2ft in height for potential adjustments, but as long as the plastic isn’t touching any fixtures and your ground temperatures are good, it should be fine

So, I did a plastic "hood" for the top of the enclosure. Levels are good, but I am nervous to leave with plastic nearby my lamps. Not touching and I am constantly opening and shutting the plastic to make adjustments to heat. SO, a friend of mine is helping me buy a closed chamber from Mark, so that I can properly care for my baby and have the enclosure grow as she grows. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I check heat, humidity every couple of hours. I have a TBI and so I am home and I am able to make adjustments. The problem and one of the reasons I am going to buy, is because every time I have to make an adjustment, I am opening the plastic and warm humid air escapes. So, thank you, so much!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

So, I did a plastic "hood" for the top of the enclosure. Levels are good, but I am nervous to leave with plastic nearby my lamps. Not touching and I am constantly opening and shutting the plastic to make adjustments to heat. SO, a friend of mine is helping me buy a closed chamber from Mark, so that I can properly care for my baby and have the enclosure grow as she grows. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I check heat, humidity every couple of hours. I have a TBI and so I am home and I am able to make adjustments. The problem and one of the reasons I am going to buy, is because every time I have to make an adjustment, I am opening the plastic and warm humid air escapes. So, thank you, so much!

Awesome! How much distance would you say there is from the fixtures? So long as there’s enough wiggle room and they aren’t touching I wouldn’t worry too much.

In terms of making adjustments, have you found your ambient temperature creep a bit too high with the cover on? If so I’d suggest bringing the thermostat your ceramic(s) is on by a few degrees and see if that helps, if it’s still a bit too warm you could maybe try a lower watt on your basking bulb. Once you’re happy with your temperatures it’s important to leave it closed as much as possible to lock that heat and humidity in.

That’s great news about the smart enclosure! I’m sure you’ll love it

 

[Lanutheleopard]

Awesome! How much distance would you say there is from the fixtures? So long as there’s enough wiggle room and they aren’t touching I wouldn’t worry too much.

In terms of making adjustments, have you found your ambient temperature creep a bit too high with the cover on? If so I’d suggest bringing the thermostat your ceramic(s) is on by a few degrees and see if that helps, if it’s still a bit too warm you could maybe try a lower watt on your basking bulb. Once you’re happy with your temperatures it’s important to leave it closed as much as possible to lock that heat and humidity in.

That’s great news about the smart enclosure! I’m sure you’ll love it

yes. I am super excited. Thank you. Yes, I am adjusting the temperatures and wanting it to be constant here soon, because every time I open it, the heat comes out. Right now, the domes are on top. And the enclosure is 48x24x18 H. Mark's enclosures will have the lights inside, as you know, and the height is 30". What is the best possible scenario? I did receive 150 and 100 W Arcadia golden sun dimmable lights. I think he puts in LED lights. What are your thoughts? I've been told incandescent is better. LED definitely bother my eyes. I'll do what is best. Today is my first day with the plastic hood/frame, so I had to make a few adjustments and last night I woke up in the middle of the night and it was 79... Agh!! I am trying to get one side upper 80s with basking low 90s and the other side mid 80s during the day. At night, nothing lower than low 80s. Humidity nothing lower than 80% at night. At this point, she goes in her hide after walking around. Her hide is a humidity hide, and the gauge says 93% which is around the same as my other digital humidity gauge. I soak her in 98-degree water in the morning. By the time she is done it is around 90 degrees. It takes her about 30 minutes before having a bowel movement. I guess she likes to read the newspaper. She is eating well, growing. I try not to overstress but will be happy to have an enclosure that will help me out as a beginner. I want to add both with modular enclosures and eventually maybe a star tortoise too. ??? I really appreciate your help. This is so much fun. I have fallen in love with my baby!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

yes. I am super excited. Thank you. Yes, I am adjusting the temperatures and wanting it to be constant here soon, because every time I open it, the heat comes out. Right now, the domes are on top. And the enclosure is 48x24x18 H. Mark's enclosures will have the lights inside, as you know, and the height is 30". What is the best possible scenario? I did receive 150 and 100 W Arcadia golden sun dimmable lights. I think he puts in LED lights. What are your thoughts? I've been told incandescent is better. LED definitely bother my eyes. I'll do what is best. Today is my first day with the plastic hood/frame, so I had to make a few adjustments and last night I woke up in the middle of the night and it was 79... Agh!! I am trying to get one side upper 80s with basking low 90s and the other side mid 80s during the day. At night, nothing lower than low 80s. Humidity nothing lower than 80% at night. At this point, she goes in her hide after walking around. Her hide is a humidity hide, and the gauge says 93% which is around the same as my other digital humidity gauge. I soak her in 98-degree water in the morning. By the time she is done it is around 90 degrees. It takes her about 30 minutes before having a bowel movement. I guess she likes to read the newspaper. She is eating well, growing. I try not to overstress but will be happy to have an enclosure that will help me out as a beginner. I want to add both with modular enclosures and eventually maybe a star tortoise too. ??? I really appreciate your help. This is so much fun. I have fallen in love with my baby!!! Thank you!!!

It can take some adjustments when making changes, I’m sure you’ll get there, try to limit the amount your opening it so the temperatures have time to level out with the humidity
Were you asking best possible scenario for the sizing, or the bulbs?

In terms of the bulbs, the LED lights that come installed in marks enclosures will make for great ambient lighting, the recommended incandescent bulbs is referring to the basking bulb, the Arcadia golden sun bulb you have is a fine choice for the basking, they also do these ones

The levels you’re striving for are definitely ideal, and marks enclosure should make maintaining all your levels much easierthe fact you provide a humid hide is perfect

Sounds like you have a happy healthy babythere’s moments of stress with every new keeping experience, but you’ll soon get into the swing of things