RCReptiles.com

[ladybookworm915]

Hi everyone. First, I want to say THANK YOU. This is my first post, but I have been reading the forum for 3 weeks now and it has help enormously. I am really grateful that you guys have spent time here asking and answering questions. I don't know how many times I was able to find the info I needed with a quick search on this forum. Again, thank you! I'm sure my baby would thank you too. Second, I'm going to tell you about my set up and my girl in order to get some advice. There is nothing in particular that I am wondering right now, but if something isn't quite right then I would like to know.

My baby, Rhosalyn, is a 2 month old normal female I got from Ron. (Thanks Ron ) She is approx 19". I have had her for two weeks now and I love her to death. (In fact part of the reason I am posting this is to be able to gush about her and not annoy by bf ). The blurb on her says she was breed form a lesser platinum female and either a pinstripe or lesser platimum male (it says two different things). Anyway here is a picture (hope it works):
She ate for me for the first time last night. Did anyone else watch their BP eat and find they were completely fancinated? (Maybe I'm just crazy )

Right now, She is in a 10 gal glass tank. (I have a feeling she is going to need a bigger tank soon) I have two hides on is a half log and the other is a plastic container with a hole cut out which is currently on top of her water bowl. The hot side goes between 88-91 degrees F and the cool side goes between 78-81 degrees F (temp measured on the substrate). The humidity fluxes between 44% and 55% For substrate I am using a normal carpet scrap (I washed it with bleach, then washed it normally, then rinsed it a half dozen times). Eventually, I am going to change over to aspen bedding, but right now I do not have a thermostat and do not want her to burrow and get burned. Yes, I am going to get a thermostat, just waiting on my paycheck. Right now the heat is controled by a dimmer, because I was silly enough to listen to the guy at the pet store that said to use that (he claims to have a BP in good health using the same thing). So, I am checking on the temp ALOT and continuously making adjustments. I have an accurite thermometer with a probe.


So I think that is enough for one post. If you got all the way through that, then kudos to you. If anyone has any advice tips pointers etc. then please let me know.

O btw my name is Alisha and I'm an sophmore undergrad at the University of Iowa (just in case anybody was curious)

[RonCrawford]

Welcome to the forum!

I would discard the carpet substrate as soon as humanly possible. Too many problems to list here. Take the temp/humidity device off the bottom of the floor as well if you haven't done so already. Other than that, it looks good.

[dibiz]

[ladybookworm915]

Thanks Ron. I am going to get rid of the carpet asap. I have just ordered a thermostat, so waiting on that.

[ladybookworm915]

[hhmoore]

Nothing wrong with using a rheostat (dimmer), as long as you are aware of its limitations. They are best suited (for heating devices) to use in a room with a relatively consistent temperature. They do not adjust themselves if the temperature goes out of the desired range (they haven't got a clue what you want the temperature to be), they just apply power at the level you set; therefore, you must be aware of the impact that room temperature changes can bring, and be prepared to adjust the controller as needed.

[PlayBall]

Welcome to the Forum! Rhosalyn looks very nice!

[ladybookworm915]

[ladybookworm915]

[deborahbroadus]

Hi Lady and belated Welcomes! (if I didn't already do this )

I noticed in another part of the forum you gave another member advice (good to see member participation).

Have you gotten your own tank in order yet? Please post pics so that we can also use that for an example (if it's in order).

One of the examples that we have here can be located: http://rcreptiles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3936

[ladybookworm915]