Reptarium

[bridgetnshane]

I purchased a 100 gallon mesh zip up reptarium for my veild and the heat lamp is burning holes thru the top of it!!! and it's barley giving any heat or lighting grr. Any creative ideas to not cause this or burn my weebs. I have a dome 2 fixture light. I've been googling ideas but can't find any helpful tips!! Thanks all you cham lovers!!

 

[Carlton]

I purchased a 100 gallon mesh zip up reptarium for my veild and the heat lamp is burning holes thru the top of it!!! and it's barley giving any heat or lighting grr. Any creative ideas to not cause this or burn my weebs. I have a dome 2 fixture light. I've been googling ideas but can't find any helpful tips!! Thanks all you cham lovers!!

Hmm, I've used Reptariums in the past but never had this happen. Maybe the materials have changed or your lamp fixture gets a lot hotter than your thermometer is measuring. Does the fixture sit directly on the mesh? If so, maybe raising the fixture itself up off the mesh slightly (rest the fixture on something that's not flammable...you won't need a lot of distance, just more air flow to help dissipate heat build up and let the mesh cool) will help. You could also cut the mesh off that panel of the cage and replace it with a piece of hardware cloth.

 

[bridgetnshane]

Heres what it looks like and the mesh fabric but this way it's not giving off much heat and I can't hang it. If I cut a hole in the top the fabric will stretch and don't be as sturdy

 

[bridgetnshane]

2

 

[tgamble96]

I'd just put something small under both sides of the light. Maybe use a bread tie to hold them there.

 

[bridgetnshane]

Any examples I can use to hold on both sides so it won't burn

 

[Carlton]

Whatever it is should be able to handle heat buildup and not so heavy they collapse the mesh too much...what about a couple of small flat river pebbles? Maybe cut two pieces of silicone from potholders? Flat pieces broken off of thin ceramic tiles? Flat PVC pipe connectors or washers? Tell a hardware store person what you need and maybe they'll have suggestions. The challenge is a lot of the fun.

 

[bridgetnshane]

It's hard!! When I bought it I thought it was screen but i don't have the money to up and buy a new cage for him I mean it's the perfect size! More ideas are helpful too I'm just worried about the weight also because its so thin. I even bought the heat lamp like they suggested for a reptarium

 

[Carlton]

The other option could be to get something rigid and long enough to span across the entire cage top and rest that on the frame, not the mesh itself. Again, lengths of smaller diameter pvc pipe or even metal framing. Basically, something rigid that won't ignite easily. Lay 2 pieces across the top so they rest on the cage frame and set the light fixture on them. That will provide the air space between the bulbs and the mesh, protecting it.

 

[Chameleomom]

I'd just put something small under both sides of the light. Maybe use a bread tie to hold them there.

Jenga blocks would do the trick under both sides of the light

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Repatriums filter 70% of the light through the mesh. That's the statistics given by the company. While they are a great size for the investment, I'm afraid they are only good for use outdoors or with dense forest species, not veiled and panthers. Since you mentioned you can't afford another cage, you can use small pieces of wood and rest the lip on the fixtures on this, being sure the bulb is not in contact with the wood. Be aware that crickets have been known to chew through and escape reptariums and the mesh will become more brittle and fragile with age and exposure to light. You will need a more suitable cage at some point.

If you aren't getting the heat you need from the bulbs you are using, you need higher wattage bulbs and/or to decrease the distance between the bulb and the basking spot. Be wary of the the fact that veiled have a high casque and that is prone to burns, if attention isn't given to bulb placement.