Watts needed for 18x18x36 screened cage?

[Erica1884]

Hello, I just set up Ricos new 18x18x36 screened cage. He is currently in a mini tall glass 12x12x18. He is about 8months old... this is a huge upgrade for him and I am trying to figure out the watts needed for heating. Does anyone have a similar cage? Can you please let me know what watts do the job? Thanks!

 

[Virgil1972]

How many watts you need depend on how far away the basking spot is from the light.

 

[Erica1884]

How many watts you need depend on how far away the basking spot is from the light.

Okay thank you, I am just worried about keeping the overall heat in because it is screened. I have not fully set the cage up yet to actually determine where the basking spot would be. Just did a practice run with the lamps and a cool mist humidifier. The enclosure he is in how is perfectly heated. I have the temp gage in the upper middle of the enclosure and it is always around 80. My test run yesterday with the new cage, temps never passed 60. didn't know if maybe there was a general wattage that might work.

 

[Virgil1972]

What is the temperature of the room the cage is in?

 

[Erica1884]

It is typically around 60 to 70.

 

[Virgil1972]

What watt bulb did you use when you did your test run?

 

[Erica1884]

100 basking and 26 uvb. The lamp fixture I have is 100 watts max... I am assuming I am going to have to end up buying a lamp fixture with greater watt capacity. I feel like I might have to go up to a 150watt basking...

 

[Virgil1972]

One light will not heat the whole cage. You will have to raise the room temp. It is good to have temperature ranges in your cage. Mine cage is 32x32x72 and I have two 100 watt heat lamps and the basking spots are 80 to 85, then the top part of the cage is in the mid 70s and the lower parts are room temp. You will want something like that so your cham can best regulate their body temp.

 

[Erica1884]

Okay thank you that helps. I have been doing a bunch of research and was thinking about trying two 75 watt and the 26uvb. I didn't even think about trying two of the same bulb. Still kind of new at this. I am looking into what type of plant to use and thinking about vines and sticks placement for climbing... going to paly with it this week and by next weekend make the move. He is doing so well in the small glass enclosure that I kind of don't want to mess it up by switching to the cage, but I am going to have to eventually anyway. thanks again for your help!

 

[Virgil1972]

Good live plants are ficus and pathos. My veiled likes to nibble on them and they help keep humidity up.

 

[Erica1884]

Awesome thanks. I am considering one or both of those.