[–] TheKillerRabbit ago
Buddy, I think you should look into more lizard enthusiast forums and lizard care articles than ask such a specific question to such a general forum.
However, this doesn't mean that there is nobody here that is an expert on lizards. I would love seeing their input here.
[–] ancientgoat [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
It was more of a general question, I may have confused it by adding the word 'lizard'. It's not really for a lizard, I just want some inexpensive setup that would keep a tank like area a constant temperature - give or take a few degrees.
[–] ChaoticNeutral 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Since you are dealing with a living creature a half ass solution might not be adequate. A very good PID control is $80 and is very reliable. I suggest a Love Controls (Dwyer) 16C-3 with a J or K type thermocouple. The thermocouples can be bought from Omega Engineering. A heat rope below the tank wild be a good heat source. Amazon has them pretty cheap.
I build scientific equipment and haven't had a problem with those PID controllers failing in sensitive applications.
[–] idrinkamp 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
BEFORE you put a lizard in the tank, get your lamp with a variable wattage (it has a dial on the side you can turn up or down).
Turn your lamp on and leave it on for a day or so. If you measure the temperature throughout the day and its consistent then your good to go. Depending on your climate, many reptiles will do fine with the light off at night. However, you might need to get a heat lamp for nighttime use. The ceramic bulbs worked well for me. You also need to make sure you have a cooler spot in your tank, away from under direct heat. Most animals need a basking spot, which is where your light points too. It will be the hottest spot. Then the cooler spot on the side so it can regulate its own heat.
Couple notes: make sure the lamp is unaccessable for the lizard to reach. They can burn themselves by getting up onto the bulb. For the same reason, I dont use heating pads. Many lizards control temperature through their head and not the feet. As such, they can burn themselves on heat rocks/pads. Also, many animals will also need a UVB lamp along with the basking lamp.
If you have a more tropical lizard, you will need to also control humidity. This can be done with foggers, humidifiers, and a few other things.
Depending on your lizard type, there are many many herp forums and sites that can help you build a set up perfect for your animal.
[–] ancientgoat [S] ago (edited ago)
It was more of a general question, I may have confused it by adding the word 'lizard'. It's not really for a lizard, I just want some inexpensive setup that would keep a tank like area a constant temperature - give or take a few degrees.
I'm am not handy at all with hardware. But, I'm willing to give anything a try.
[–] twitch1982 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
what temp range? do you need to control humidity? Open top? What type of mushrooms?
[–] RedSocks157 ago
Just put the heat lamp on a normal timer and use a water heater to keep the water at the right temperature, which will heat the rest of the enclosure!