I'm curious as to how you get that size tank to those temps with only those lights.. is there a solid cover over most or all of it?



I ask because I have a 55 gal. and it takes a 150w basking bulb, a 100w Dayglo, and a fluorescent strip - Desert Light 7% - to get the temps to a suitable range. I have 3 thermometers in the setup, and keep a very close eye on it. I thought I could get away with just the basking bulb and fluor. strip, but had to get yet another light 'hood' with the extra candescant to hold the heat in. All in all, with the 3 light fixtures covering the screen cover, there is about 1 1/2 - 2 sq. feet of open screen.



An added note: it takes a while for the basking temp to get to the right range, so I have a 3-level basking area - he usually starts at the top and moves down the through the day when needed (as the temp rises), but it never gets over 115-118 on the top level and that's with the 150w shining hard on the area.



We do have a 75w basking bulb and have used it in an emergency (one of the 150's went out, bad fixture), but it barely raised the basking area to 90'ish even with that much of the tank covered.



At any rate, I am just curious.. maybe the height of the tanks makes the huge difference...?



The Mom half,

Denise
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Denise (Mom) and/or Jared (son)

Take care!

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