New closed chamber for my Leo

[katrvt]

Picked this PVC chamber up at the local reptile show this weekend and got it set up today. Going to try and get more hiding areas set up, but he refused to use the flowerpots in his last enclosure, so not sure how I will do it yet.
Chamber is 48"x 24" floor space and 18" high. Have a 100w che and my reptifogger on a thermostat/hygrostat(hydrostat?) And a 100w solarglo mvb.

 

[kathyth]

I absolutely love it!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Cool chamber.

Keep an eye on your temps. A 100 watt mvb is pretty strong and might be too much. Only way to know for sure is to monitor it.
In my chambers I can't use a bulb higher than 65 watts or it's too hot (not including the CHE on thermostat)

 

[katrvt]

Booger. I'll Definitely do that. Aaand see if I can find a lower wattage mvb.

 

[katrvt]

Thanks for the heads up

 

[mikeh]

I find 18" enclosures to be too low for 100watt MVB. This puts the bulb about 12" of the substrate, if that. That is too low, the temp under may exceed 120F and very high UVB levels directly under. The roof can also start slow burn/melt, chemical fumes as the dome is mounted at the top and will get very hot. I would opt for 32" Zoomed reptisun T5HO 5% mounted at about 12-14" above substrate. Basking with with 60 watt wide beam flood bulb.

 

[katrvt]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will do that. Swapped the bulb for a simple low wattage basking bulb until I can buy the new uvb bulb this evening. Also double checked and my chamber height is actually 24" rather than 18".

 

[mikeh]

That changes things a bit. Then I would get Zoomed T5HO fixture w/ 10% UVB tube and mount it on the ceiling. With few inches of substrate it will give you 18-19" height which is ideal. It will also brighten up enclosure and live plants will do well. Not sure if pet stores carry T5HO. Don't get talked into T8 fixture/tube, they are very weak at higher distance.

Even with lower wattage basking bulb I'd keep checking for signs of charring/melting/smell of the ceiling to be safe.

 

[katrvt]

Good deal. Will do. We have a local herp specialty shop who will special order anything if they don't carry it. I usually check with them first, cause they send tons of clients my way, cause it supports local, and because they are awesome.

 

[dwright27]

I wonder where I could find an enclosure like that here.. the only PVC ones I've seen are the really skinny ones for snakes.

 

[katrvt]

This person makes these I believe, and this one I bought is intended for Burmese pythons and reticulated pythons. https://m.facebook.com/MonstersMore

 

[katrvt]

Found this price list on his page..

 

[dwright27]

Alright, thanks. I'll see about it in the future.

 

[littleginsu]

Sooooo, cool! Thank you for sharing! Here is the link to their website (I think): http://www.gettinshippyexotics.com/

 

[katrvt]

Yes, that's them!

 

[littleginsu]

How did you mount the lights? Are there ore drilled holes? Thank you again. I am simply in love with your find and must have one.. Or two!

 

[katrvt]

I drilled holes where appropriate, large enough to pass the plugs through, then used a staple gun to fix the cords in place where I wanted them. (Make sure your staples are wide enough to not damage the cord at all) then took foil and covered the drilled holes and taped all the edges with Scotch tape. The reptifogger hose and thermometer /hygrometer display are fixed to the chamber with e6000 glue and I just used tape to hold them in place until the glue set. I am getting my new t5ho uvb in tonight or tomorrow, so once I get it installed instead of my temporary uvb source, I'll post new pictures.

 

[katrvt]

And I agree. I would love to have a wall of these things and plenty of hatchlings to fill them. I dream of a tortoise herd to share my home.

 

[katrvt]

Here are some pics of things after mounting my uvb t5. Pardon the chewed on plants. Someone figured out that they can hold them down to reach the leaves. Have plans for another pothos on the basking side in the next few days, hopefully.

 

[katrvt]

General setup