Acrylic Cage Heating?

[Colbymgeek]

Hey, so I've got my Singapore Blue in an acrylic cage from TarantulaCages.com. It's a great cage, but I have no idea how to safely heat it! I think that might be why my Singapore Blue hasn't been acting quite right... It's a tad cold for her, I think. The heating pads I've found at pet stores strictly say they can't be used on acrylic cages, though. Any ideas?

 

[KoriTamashii]

How cold is it, exactly?

Anything under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then you can worry.

 

[Colbymgeek]

The lowest it gets to is 64 to 66 degrees every night. A little bit too low for me to be comfortable with it... :/

 

[KoriTamashii]

The lowest it gets to is 64 to 66 degrees every night. A little bit too low for me to be comfortable with it... :/

Something that used to work for me before I just gave up and kept them at room temp (which only gets as low as 70 at night for me) was a heat lamp. Worked like a charm, as long as I kept it far enough away so it didn't get TOO hot.

 

[Colbymgeek]

Yeah? I do have a lamp that could work for that. It's just that she doesn't really appreciate the light much. But I think I will try that if I can't find a better solution. Thanks!

 

[Thegloryfades]

A ceramic heat emitter hooked up to a rheostat should work and won't produce light

 

[Colbymgeek]

Hmm, I think I'll look into that. Any idea of where I could get one? I don't suppose your average pet store would carry them?

 

[Thegloryfades]

Petsmart and petco carry them out here. They screw in like a light and will probably be in that section.

 

[Colbymgeek]

Oh, okay, great. I will definitely see what I can get. Thanks!

 

[KoriTamashii]

Yeah? I do have a lamp that could work for that. It's just that she doesn't really appreciate the light much. But I think I will try that if I can't find a better solution. Thanks!

I've used red/purple bulbs, too, and they work great without bothering the T's.

Plus they make for some neat ambient lighting.

 

[Colbymgeek]

Oh, that sounds like it could be fun! I think I'll look into that too.

 

[KoriTamashii]

Oh, that sounds like it could be fun! I think I'll look into that too.

I used between 45 and 60 watt bulbs, depending on how cold it was in my room, to keep the temperature between 75-80 degrees, if that helps.

 

[Colbymgeek]

Yep, sure does; thanks!

 

[AmbushArachnids]

I would make sure the water bowl is large enough its not going to dry up too quickly. Just to be sure there is water available all the time.

Its also a good idea to setup the cage with the heat source and have a trial run for a couple days.

You might want to check and make sure your plexi glass isnt warping from the heat. Of course it probably wont if your using a low enough wattage. Would be a shame to ruin such a nice piece of work.

 

[David John]

The heating pads I've found at pet stores strictly say they can't be used on acrylic cages, though. Any ideas?

Adam uses 1/4" Plexiglas on his cages...NOT 1/8" like the cheap stuff pet stores sell. Those heat pads do not put out enough heat to warp or damage 1/4" Plexiglas. It may become discolored over time, but if you're using it one the bottom who cares.

JMHO.

 

[AmbushArachnids]

Adam uses 1/4" Plexiglas on his cages...NOT 1/8" like the cheap stuff pet stores sell. Those heat pads do not put out enough heat to warp or damage 1/4" Plexiglas. It may become discolored over time, but if you're using it one the bottom who cares.

JMHO.

I have some divided 10 gallon cages that i built 1/4" plexi lids for. I ended up holding off on buying my vents because a lack of funds. Well the humidity building up in the cage mixed with my room temps of 80 deg caused even the thickest plexi to warp. It has a 1/4" warp in a 7" by 6.5" lid. I kept the lids open a 1/4" gap for ventilation. And I actually went and bought the mid strength grade opossed to the 3rd grade stuff. I believe they come in 10x 20x and 50x strength.

The difference in humidity and temperature on each side of the plexiglass can cause it to bend over time. Happend to mine in about a week or 2. Like i said in my earlier post, it would be a shame to damage a perfect piece of work for something unnessecarry.

Also the OP said he is housing a L. violaceopes. I assume he is housing it in an arboreal cage. He would need to put it onto the back of the tank. Even if it was a terrestrial you should NEVER put the heat pad underneath. If the heat pad were to get too hot the T would burrow and get even closer to the heat.

OP:
Honestly, the temperature could drop down to 55 and your T would survive. 65 is not a big deal. Tarantulas do better at 50 than 100 deg. The only benefit to keeping Ts warmer is the increased growth rate. They will also live a shorter life at higher temperatures. Since this is an adult i see no reason to add any heat. If you were keeping slings it might be a good idea to keep them warmer. Just my point of view, to each their own.

 

[shanebp]

I've used red/purple bulbs, too, and they work great without bothering the T's.

Plus they make for some neat ambient lighting.

I also do this and it works like a charm. A nice red floodlight gives off lots of warmth and doesn't bother the T, and it looks cool.

 

[Colbymgeek]

Yeah, the water dish is kind of shallow, but I fill it every day, so she always has water!
And okay, thanks everyone! I think I'll look to see what I can get, but I won't be too worried about it unless my girl starts showing some real signs of needing more warmth... Thanks again!

 

[J Morningstar]

Even a daylight simulation with a plant bulb would be sufficent for the day light hours and then at night a red basking bulb further than 4-5 inches away(perhaps evemn more depending on the temp of the room, they are effective at suprising distances) or a ceramic heater hung HIGH above the srea..they get HOT!!!

 

[Fran]

OP:
Tarantulas do better at 50 than 100 deg. The only benefit to keeping Ts warmer is the increased growth rate. They will also live a shorter life at higher temperatures.

..We dont know that. We think they will molt faster so will die faster...But theres no evidence saying a t is gonna live longer at 50F. I HIGHLY doubt it.

A T might survive some days at 50F, but it will die soon. Specially a rain forest native tarantula.