terrariun problems please help

[ieatflys]

Please read most of this [or skip to the last paragraph]. you do not half to heave a perfect answer just throw some ideas out there I do not care at this point.

OK Here is my setup.

PLANTS

1 n.ampullaria
1 n.gracilis
1 phylodendron
1 walking iris

terrarium

it is 1 upside down 10gal on top of the another 10gal. has waterat temp of 95 degrees with water heater in it than I have the plants on a shelf set up I made.

light
1 120 watt spot grow. it is about 18 inches above the hole setup. and to keep the light concentrated in the terrarium I built a foil cone that touches the top of the terrarium.



Problem

OK the top of the hole terrarium is cracked because the light bulb heated the glass and since this is a lowlander terrarium it is constantly wet in there so its like putting a hot light bulb in cold water. now I want to hook a humidifier to it so since it is cracked I might cut the top out and get a different lid for it. so then I can cut a hole for the hose that would be connected to the humidifier. and now That I am thinking about it I might cut another hole for the light. but then I thought the humidity would just go up the cone and crack the bulb. so hay maybe put plastic wrap down at the bottom of the cone. so now there is 2 more problems with this last Idea of mine. it could melt the plastic wrap or the heat would go throe it and crack the wrest of the terrarium.

please help me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks
ieatflys

ps I want to keep the solution cheep if possible.

[ieatflys]

just to add on I am not sore If using a spot grow is good or not.

ieatflys

[w03]

I am only 13, so if this info valid is up to you.

As for the spot light, you may want to get an aquarium style flourescent to add to the spot light (provided that the light is intense enough) because those have a plastic shield for the bulb so humidity doesn't get it wet. With extra lighting, I don't think the cone is necessary. If it is possible to find something like that for the spot lamp, get it, and preferably bring your spot light to ask if there is anything that can specifically fit your light, because standard shields may melt if your spotlight is that hot. As for a new lid, try acrylic, because it won't shatter like glass. Just be careful when you are cleaning/repotting/etc., because acrylic scratches easily. If possible, also try to find a heat resistant plastic to coat the edge of the lid, to prevent heat from traveling all the way through the terrarium. Silicone sealant is also useful, and can be found at anywhere that sells fish supplies (silicone sealant is an adhesive, it's waterproof and lasts quite a while). Since you are going to put a humidifier in an already humid environment, make sure you make a drip loop for any wires - any water on the wires will just drip onto the floor instead of into the electrical socket! One last thing to keep in mind is that although lowland neps like high heat and humidity, make sure there is enough ventilation - stagnant air + humidity + heat = fungus. A lot of fungus. Anyway, I hope this helps!

Drip loop picture - here is a very corny representation.

www.geocities.com/wsj001/Drip_loop.bmp

[ieatflys]

thanks for the info. the Highest wattage there is for my 18 inch bulb hood is 15 to 20.[watts] I had an aquarium style bulb And I didn't think there was enough wattage for the plants. I am planning on hooking up a humidifier to it today I am going to walmart in an hour or so so that could help with the humidity and ventilation. And to add on I am very surprised at this but I have never had any fungus or mold problems at all. Pritty soon here within a month or so I am planning on setting up a 55 gal terrarium so I am looking forward to that. and when I set that up then the lighting issues should me solved. becouse that hood I am going to use can hold 40 watt bulbs.


thanks
ieatflys

[w03]

No problem, and by the way, do you happen to be the person with the same username on world of carnivores?

[ieatflys]

yes. I use this user name everywhere.

thanks
ieatflys

[ieatflys]

I am officially confused I hucked up the humidifier to the terrarium and the humidity went up a full zero present and now I think the Gage is wrong.

ieatflys

[w03]

If the gauge is broken, try getting a humidity meter at a pet store.

[williamg]

How long have these plants been in this setup? Just spitball'n, but I think the reason your glass could have cracked is because the funnel might be trapping heated air from the light, mixed with the high humidity in the tank, causing cracks. Try putting some holes in the funnel to let hot air escape. Does the spot grow bulb have blue tinted glass? If so, I would not use it. It tried one of these bulbs once, It didn't produce near enough light, dissipated quickly, and because it was just 6-7 inches away from the plants, burned them to a crisp (they lived). I prefer to use (as a have always stated) for a budget tank, use Compact Florescent Bulbs. They are the same thing as the long lamps, but cheaper and smaller.
Hope this spitball'n helps
Williamg

[ieatflys]

the gage is frome the pet store what kind do you [WO3]have. If its the kind I have I have a quick question for you.

and the plants have been in the setup for about 3-5 months except fot the n.gracilis. And the heat problem is pixed 2 days ago I put holes in the top of it and I lifted the vome 2 inches above the qlass.

thanks Ieatflys

[williamg]

Cool, good luck with your plants!