This blog post details a comprehensive upgrade to my reptile enclosures, focusing on improved heating, lighting, and temperature monitoring. I'll walk you through the process of installing new Arcadia reflector domes, replacing existing heat lamps with more efficient alternatives, and significantly enhancing my temperature monitoring system with multiple digital and analog thermometers, as well as an infrared thermometer. The upgrades were driven by a need for better heat distribution, improved accuracy in temperature control, and ultimately, a more comfortable and healthier environment for my reptiles. I'll share both successes and challenges encountered, particularly focusing on the importance of proper bulb placement and spacing.My journey involved upgrading my bearded dragon's setup with new Arcadia reflector domes and a revised heating configuration, replacing a deep heat projector with a halogen lamp and a ceramic heat emitter. I also significantly improved temperature monitoring across all enclosures. However, my day gecko's lighting upgrade faced a setback due to overheating. This experience highlights the crucial learning curve involved in optimizing reptile enclosures. I’ll share my experiences with Arcadia products, offering a balanced perspective on their performance and ease of use. Stay tuned for future updates on further enclosure improvements.
Pros And Cons
- Provides proper spectrum of near-infrared wavelengths
- Smooth heat distribution, avoids hot spots
- Strong mounting brackets and clamps
- Easy to install once assembled
- Difficult to assemble; pieces didn't fit together easily
Read more: Top 10 Reptile & Amphibian Terrarium Thermometers: A Buyer's Guide
Setting Up Arcadia Reflector Domes
After receiving a new heat lamp over Christmas, I found it too large for my existing bulb guards. This led me to purchase 14-centimeter diameter Arcadia reflector domes. The mounting brackets and clamps were surprisingly sturdy, though a bit challenging to assemble initially.
Installation was straightforward once I overcame the assembly hiccup. I carefully moved my bearded dragon, Charlie, who was in brumation, to a safe location before installing the new domes. He seemed quite unconcerned by the disruption, settling down quickly in his burrow.
The reflector domes provided a nice, even distribution of heat, eliminating the hot spots from my previous setup. This is especially crucial for the wellbeing of my reptiles.
Replacing Heating Elements
I replaced Charlie's old 250-watt ceramic heat emitter and 50-watt Deep Heat Projector with a new 100-watt halogen lamp and a 100-watt Arcadia ceramic heat emitter. The halogen lamp will be his primary heat source, offering a more even distribution of near-infrared wavelengths.
The ceramic emitter serves as a backup and provides additional warmth during colder nights. While the Deep Heat Projector is superior, I chose the ceramic emitter for this setup because I already owned the appropriate thermostat.
The new heating configuration resulted in a much sleeker and more efficient setup. This improves the overall thermal gradient of the enclosure, ensuring Charlie's comfort and health. A future video will delve into the science behind reptile heating.
Improving Temperature Monitoring
Accurate temperature monitoring is vital for reptile health. I upgraded my reptile enclosure with additional thermometers: a combination of digital and dial thermometers, providing multiple data points for a more comprehensive overview.
I also use an infrared thermometer to double-check all readings. This multi-faceted approach ensures precise temperature control, which is crucial for reptile well-being.
This upgrade addresses previous shortcomings where I was only using one thermometer across multiple enclosures. The addition of a dedicated cooling thermometer for my leopard gecko, Speckle, ensures his optimal environmental conditions.
Day Gecko Lighting Upgrade and Challenges
I replaced my day gecko's existing UVB bulbs with a stronger 10.0 Arcadia compact UVB bulb and a heat lamp. This setup was housed in a custom-built canopy due to the enclosure's limited size.
Unfortunately, positioning the heat and UVB bulbs too closely caused the UVB bulb to overheat and fail. This highlights the importance of careful planning and spacing when setting up reptile lighting.
I'm exploring alternative lighting solutions to address this issue and will provide an update in a future video. This mishap underscores the need for research and careful consideration when selecting and placing reptile lighting elements.
Conclusion and Overall Assessment
This upgrade significantly improved my reptile enclosures' functionality and aesthetics. The Arcadia reflector domes provided even heat distribution, addressing a previous concern. The additional thermometers give a more precise temperature control.
While the day gecko lighting upgrade encountered a setback, it highlighted the importance of proper spacing and planning. The improvements overall contribute to better care for my reptiles. The Arcadia products, with their sturdy construction and effective heat distribution, are recommended.
Further upgrades are planned, including a fish tank overhaul and a custom background for a different enclosure. I will share details on these projects in future videos.