newbies enclosure quetions

[knucklehead]

Gday everyone , as stated im a newbie of the reptile world and have read a lot of the forum topics with interest. Ive begun assembling a enclosure out of an old 5ft fish tank I Had lying around for a Bearded Dragon. Theres a couple things Im a bit unsure of how to go about. Firstly after arguing with the thermostat for an hour reading the wiring instructions desingned by nuclear scientist I got it to work , I have put wood paneling along the back wall , placed the thermostat in a central position and put 3 globes for heat at one end.. all well and good , But if I set the thermostat at say 30dg the temperature directly under the heat globes is about 38dg and the far end is about 25dg .. Does that sound right ? and secondly Im not sure how to cover the tank , If I put glass or wood it will get hot quickly but on the other hand I have seen like a wire mesh lid in the pet shops , but am afraid that it will let out too much heat and make the globes run constantly. any help would be apreciated

[popeye]

mate sounds about right. and get the mesh.

[Robbo]

mabey build a wood top and cut a few vents into it

[grimbeny]

I use a mesh lid, it works for me but u would have to see for urself. Mesh lids also aloow you to put a UV flurecent tube light above, and doesnt reflect out all the good stuff which glass might do.

[knucklehead]

thanks for advice fellas, might try and do the best of both worlds and make a mesh lid like the shop ones that can be semi blocked with timber doors for the winter months as enclosure is out under my pergola decking , fully weather proof but can still get the morning sunshine.