Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in the process of setting up a 90 gallon tank. I went from a 50 watt to a 75 to a 100 watt bulb and can't get the basking temp past 92 degrees. His basking spot is about 12 -14 in. below the light. I'm using a digital thermometer with a sensor right at that spot. I bought a bigger lamp and 150 watt bulb, but the bulb sticks out a little further than the edge of the lamp (so I'm worried about setting it on the screen). I'm trying the clamp and that's not working either. Please help. Thanks!!

try raising your basking spot.

I know that T-REX and another band make a deeper ceramic lamp, I have my 160 watt Murcury Vapor bulb in it and it's a larger bulb (much like a 150 watt basking) I think generally shades rated over 150 watts are deeper in length but don't quote me...

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I need to just get myself out of Petsmart - they are limited. Any ideas on how to get his (Napoleon) basking spot up higher? I don't want to make it unsafe for him - he's a big boy and can tip things over. Thanks again!

I know you can get a stand that sits over the tank. I believe it an "L" shape and the bottom is secured under the the tank and the light hangs off of it. Try the bean farm or LLL reptiles, they have really cool staff and probably somethjing that would solve your problem and everyone I have talked to there was really helpful.

http://www.beanfarm.com
http://lllreptile.com

Also, if I am just used a basking bulb I put them on a dimmer you can get them for like $10 at Ikea, then on hot days I just turn the light down to maintain temps.

WHat i used to provide proper basking temps for a 5'x2'x2' cage was a standard outdoor flood light bulb and ceramic fixture and mounted it to the underside (sort of) of the cage top. THe bulb hung maybe 3-4" into the cage but was still about 8" or so above the highest part of the basking log. The fixture I used I bought at Canadian Tire (can find the same thing at any home improvement center such as home depot) which typically is mounted on a ceiling (has a metal 'cage' where the base of the fixture and wires come out) It required some manual wiring to connect the fixture to a power cord and wall plug but not a difficult task. Electrical tape was used to ensure the wires don't come undone and out of the way of causing any shorts.

Since the roof of my bearded dragon case was have wire mesh and half wood, I didn't have any choice but to mount the basking spot through the screen (wooden part was taken over by the 4' double florescent light fixture). As the wire mesh was very stiff (something similar to 1/4" wire mesh/hardware cloth), I just cut an opening just big enough to lower the bulb side of the fixture into the cage and secured it there with ties and wire.

If I was to do it again (building the cage included) I would mount the fixture directly to an all wood roof, so it is much more secure and cover the metal 'cage' part of the fixture (or find one that lacks this altogether and already has a cord attached to it. At the time I needed one I couldn't find one like this but they may be available elsewhere). This way the bulb is more secure and less likely to be a potential problem with homes that have cats and other animals (or children) who may get their hands or paws where the wires are.

Anyway, this floud bulb I used was 125Watt and easily heated the basking spot with a range between 90-120F (high temp being at the very highest point of the basking log, which was a large wide piece of driftwood (see pic).

THe important thing with fixtures and bulb wattage is that the fixture is rated for that wattage or higher. There is a high risk of shorts/bulb bursting etc if bulbs requiring a higher wattage are used in fixtures rated for lower watt bulbs (ie placing a 100 watt bulb into a 75 watt rated fixture). All fixtures should have the wattage they are rated for showing on them.

I also recommend ceramic fixtures for bulbs of higher than 100 watts...plastic or whatever is used in some fixtures, can melt if bulbs of 100 watts or more are placed in them, even if they are rated for that wattage or higher. I once bought an outdoor flood light fixture and bulb combo and the plastic (wasn't normal plastic, a sort of glass hard type plastic) wound up melting. Fortunately I noticed it before anything happened (ie like a fire) and replaced it with the ceramic fixture. Never had any trouble with the ceramic fixture (other than the pain of having to wire it to a power cord)

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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for all of the help. I feel a bit dumb, but I moved the sensor over a few inches and the temp went up to 105. Wow...getting this new tank set up just right has been a challenge! I really do appreciate all of the advice. He's eating and pooping much better now that he is in the bigger tank. I think he's looking for a girlfriend, but one is enough work for me! Thanks again.