Temp Concerns

[tomcatguy74]

I have a Leo in a standard 15 gallon tank with a 10-20 UTH and a 25 watt moon lamp.
The other day I recieved my new Raytek MT6 infrared thermometer and checked the surface temps in the enclosure. Looking at the pic below you can see my big repti shelter that sits right on top of the area over the UTH. With just the UTH the moss inside only gets to 86-87 degrees. So to bring it to 90 I use the moon lamp.
Now the areas around the shelter can get into the high 90s to over 100. I KNOW that is too hot for my Leo but she does sometimes go over there to lay and rest. But that's what I need to keep the shelter moist and humid at 90.
When I checked the rest of the enclosure temps on the floor did not go below 84-85. How do I get a cooler temp on the right side of the enclosure?
My Leo eats and behaves normally. I am just concerned.

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[tomcatguy74]

Here is the new repti shelter.

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[acpart]

If I'm understanding this correctly, the moss inside the shelter probably adds some layers between the shelter floor and the UTH so the temps don't get high enough in there. It seems that an additional problem is that the cool side isn't so cool, possibly because of the light. Consider trying this: take the moss out of the shelter on the hot side. Make a humid hide (it looks as if you already have one) with the moss and don't worry about the temps in there. Ditch the light. Check the temps. Hopefully without the moss the shelter temps will be higher. If I've misinterpreted, please enlighten me and I'll try again.

Aliza

 

[tomcatguy74]

If I'm understanding this correctly, the moss inside the shelter probably adds some layers between the shelter floor and the UTH so the temps don't get high enough in there. It seems that an additional problem is that the cool side isn't so cool, possibly because of the light. Consider trying this: take the moss out of the shelter on the hot side. Make a humid hide (it looks as if you already have one) with the moss and don't worry about the temps in there. Ditch the light. Check the temps. Hopefully without the moss the shelter temps will be higher. If I've misinterpreted, please enlighten me and I'll try again.

Aliza

Well, I do want the shelter in there with the moss. It's the only humid hide I want in there. I am wondering if I could go to a 5 gallon UTH and reduce the size of the heat spot so that it only heats the Shelter. To increase the temp of the shelter I could use less moss and ditch the light like you said.

 

[acpart]

Many people have a dry hide over the heat spot and a humid hide either near the heat spot or on the cool side. Would that work for you?

Aliza

 

[tomcatguy74]

I thought the humid hide needed to be at 85-90? Wouldn't it be too cold over the cold spot?

 

[lisa127]

No, your humid hide does not need to be that warm. In my leo's enclosure the cool side ranges from 70 to 75 depending on time of day. The warm side floor temps range from 88 to 94 depending on time of day. The humid hide is smack dab in the middle of the enclosure and the temps in it usually range from 71 to 74 depending on time of day. No, your humid hide should not be 85 to 90. That is pretty close to the temps his basking (warm) side should be.

 

[tomcatguy74]

I thought I read that the temps should be 85-90 and humid to aid in shedding?


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[lisa127]

Nope. Not that warm in the humid hide.