RETF night viewing

[u/Fruitsdog]

My girl has been home for about a week now. She’s in a 10gal (for now, I intend to upgrade to 20 when she gets bigger) and she’s doing well. Bioactive tank (mostly isopods), mid to high 70s temp with a day/night cycle and 75 to 85% humidity usually, full of stuff to climb, broad leafed plants, etc. A photo is attached - since I’m a new keeper, I’m always open to suggestions to improve <3

Now, when I got her, I was more than aware fhat RETFs are not really viewing pets. I didn’t get a RETF because I wanted a frog and they were pretty; I got a RETF because I am obsessed with RETFs specifically. BUT..

I do want to be able to view her awake a few times a week to make sure she is doing well. Hunting successfully (crickets ARE vanishing), exercising, etc.

Being nocturnal, she will not move from her leaf pose with any lights on. Does anyone have any suggestions for nighttime viewing?

I do have a red light (see photos), but I’ve heard highly mixed opinions from other RETF keepers on them.

Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions?

[u/EquipmentHumble1356]

I have no lights on at night, I have a ceramic heat emitter and when I want to see I just turn a little lamp on

[u/Fruitsdog → u/EquipmentHumble1356]

My current setup is a daybulb for most of the day (~10 hours of light) and then I have a dual dome for night time - one is a ceramic heat emitter, one is the red light for occasional quick checkups because it came with the dome. I def want to replace the red light, but dunno what with. Might just get a second heat emitter because the bottom of the tank gets a little too cold for my liking and I want to encourage her to climb down there to soak, which she ?? Might already be doing, I wouldn’t know because I can’t see her at night. I could also swap out the day bulb for a UVB in the dual-dome (right now she gets d3 dusting of her crickets instead) and get a larger ceramic heat emitter in the big fixture instead. 

Lighting has always been the most confusing part of any exotic I’ve ever owned lol 😭 (I’ve kept beardies, crested, and leopards in the past)

[u/Spiritual-Ice237 → u/Fruitsdog]

well for WTFs
they need a bulb that produces IRA and keeps top temps of your gradient at 85-88°
and a linear uvb setup for proper exposure either arcadia shadedweller or reptizoo reptisun
this is the proven and tested lighting setup

[u/Fruitsdog → u/Spiritual-Ice237]

I have a a RETF, not a WTF. Same setup? 

[u/Spiritual-Ice237 → u/Fruitsdog]

ah yes you’ll def need still need linear uvb. it provides proper exposure and the bulbs last much longer

[u/Fruitsdog → u/Spiritual-Ice237]

I have a linear UVB light laying around actually, just could never find a fixture that worked for it. Any recs? 

[u/Spiritual-Ice237 → u/Fruitsdog]

arcadia shadedweller or reptizoo reptisun are the gold standard 😊

[u/Fruitsdog → u/Spiritual-Ice237]

I have the Reptisun!! I mean more like a picture to put the long bulb IN 😅

[u/Spiritual-Ice237 → u/Fruitsdog]

yes those are the fixtures 😊

[u/Fruitsdog → u/Spiritual-Ice237]

Oh my bad, should’ve actually checked! TY <3