How do you heat a terrarium during the day (lights are not enough)

[chris_todd]

I'm setting up a couple of terraria using fish tanks, in which I plan to grow lowland tropical orchids and carnivorous plants. In the one I've setup so far, the temp stays pretty constant at room temp (68*F) - that is, the lights do not increase the tank temp (I guess I got lights that are too efficient, LOL - a 2x24W T5HO with good reflectors).

Does anyone else here need to heat your terraria during the day, and if so, how do you do it? An aquarium heater in a tray of water, or perhaps one of those heating pads for lizards? Any other suggestions?

[Erce]

if you use the aqarium heater in water you also get high humanity so thats a win win... but the lizzardmatt are also a good choise.
But remember you need some kind of crontroler so it dosent get to hot

[tropterrarium]

I use under tank reptile heat mats. Note that they come in different temperature versions. High heat desert ones, and low heat tropical ones. So rather chose the tropical ones.

I also tried herp heat rocks. While they provide heat (for me it is seasonal heat at night in winter), but when off, then the high humidity shorts the heating element.

Heat control can be done dynamically with rheostat and temperature probe, or statically by choosing the right size/number and switching them on/off on a timer. This may have to be adjusted seasonally. I have used the latter approach thus far, but will rather go for a more active controller. I noticed the DigitalAquatics HerpController. Not out yet, but as soon as it will be available, I will give that a try.

[Tindomul]

Why do you want to raise the temperature? It sounds like paradise to me. How do you keep the temps so nice? Actually, 68 degrees is good for keeping plants unstressed.

[tropterrarium]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Why do you want to raise the temperature? It sounds like paradise to me. How do you keep the temps so nice? Actually, 68 degrees is good for keeping plants unstressed.

I raise night time temperature to 60F in Winter, but lower daytime max in summer, to get an overall 60-85F range with daily fluctuation of ~10-15F.
It takes a bit of gadgetry to get to this point.
The cooling with the iceprobe was a complete failure. The unit does not produce enough cooling of the water, and quite working altogether after less than 1 day. Ooops. So I am looking into a compressor driven small aquarium chiller. Should cool to 32-40F on a very small volume (2-3 gal). Any suggestions? I am also checking with a local aquarium store.
The 5x2 feet front glass is gorgeous. So that worked out for sure :-) .

[Tindomul]

I have heard of people using water coolers(the ones found in offices and hallways for fountain water) to cool the water that enters their terrariums. I would do it if I were more handy with tubes and connections and plumbing.

[Brotherly Monkey]

I always found heat tape to be more versatile and cost effective, compared to mats

Flexwatt FAQ - Reptile Basics Inc

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I have heard of people using water coolers(the ones found in offices and hallways for fountain water) to cool the water that enters their terrariums. I would do it if I were more handy with tubes and connections and plumbing.

Water chillers, either type, are pretty easy to install. With the coiled chillers, you just create a sump that you run your water to and do nothing more than drop in the cooling element. the other type is basically a compartment/tub that you run your water into, then back into your enclosure

[tropterrarium]

Interesting idea with water cooler. Shouldn't be too much of a problem either with sump, or silicone an acrylic plate on the top, drill a couple of holes for tubes, and attach it to a pump. Water coolers have a significant footprint (and do they work at 90F room temperature?), so I rather stay with something smaller, and pay the price for convenience. Water cooler are around $150/200, small aquarium chiller are around $300-400.

[Tindomul]

Orion Hot/Cold Water Cooler Excellent Buy !!!!!! - eBay (item 290455595671 end time Jul-25-10 14:50:19 PDT)