Update with pics on my Tort Table

[RedFootMom]

I don't know what I would do without this forum!
I am posting these pics of my tort table from today. I tend to learn at least one thing weekly that I need to modify so my table changes often...
The cold snap we had this past week has taught me that I need additional heat sources for night time plus a little extra for the day.
Due to my many humidity questions, several of you reached out to me via PM and a few more I have reached out to on my own. I can't thank you enough. I don't regret jumping into the tort world one bit. It has been a fascinating journey so far and I am determined to get this right!
We added a humidifier and piped it in to create a fogger. It is a cool mist and really ramps up the humidity thanks to the fitted plexiglass panels my husband put in to held the humidity. I don't keep it on long. Just 15 mins or so at a time throughout the day.
During the cold front, my normal basking temp remained around 92 - 95 degrees but the cool end was closer to 70 vs normally about 78.
Here's my plan for the next step to guard against our next cold front. I sincerely welcome any criticism/feedback you experienced Red Foot keepers have and thank you as always for your replies:
1) I am ordering water proof heat rope from Big Apple Herp to serpentine from the cool end to about half way down the table. Will also be adding a thermostat.
2) I am adding a black light to the cool end of the table for night time.
**Side question - recommended wattage? Can it be placed under the plexiglass or do I need to create an opening? I was hoping to cut a small opening just big enough for the light's wires then line that with foam to help keep the integrity of a sealer. Does that make sense?
Relevant info: my tort is a Cherryhead baby - hatched 7/5/13. My table is 34" wide X 7' long.
I know this is a long post. Thank you for reading!

 

[Sheldon the russian tortoise]

Wow nice setup! I wish I had one that nice

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

This is an amazing enclosure !

 

[mike taylor]

I would go with a che on a thermostat for the cool end . The heat rope under the substrate is awesome for making humidity but not really good for making air temperatures higher . Your basking spot is right on the money a che and a thermostat is what I would spend the money on .

 

[RedFootMom]

I would go with a che on a thermostat for the cool end . The heat rope under the substrate is awesome for making humidity but not really good for making air temperatures higher . Your basking spot is right on the money a che and a thermostat is what I would spend the money on .

Can I put the CHE below the plexiglass as long as it's on a thermostat? Would you place it towards the center of the table, or closer to the cool end?

 

[julietteq]

wauw, amazing job. That is going to be one very lucky baby!

 

[mike taylor]

It depends on how tall your enclosure is . I have a one hundred watt che 12 " high and the temperatures under it is 95 degrees for a sulcata. But for my reds I have a one hundred watt che is set 20 " high for a temperature of 85 degrees. So mounting it inside your just going to have to play around with the hight of it .

 

[RedFootMom]

It depends on how tall your enclosure is . I have a one hundred watt che 12 " high and the temperatures under it is 95 degrees for a sulcata. But for my reds I have a one hundred watt che is set 20 " high for a temperature of 85 degrees. So mounting it inside your just going to have to play around with the hight of it .

I'm going to try for below the glass. My humidity is perfect now and I hate to open a big space in the center. I'll set the thermostat for 85 and see how that goes.