Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok i just set up my new cage, its pretty large, around 5 feet long 3 feet high 20 inches deep or so. im using 60 watt heat bulbs. i put the probe in the cage, resting on the basking spot. i use one of those fake half logs as a basking spot and hide hole. now when i rest the temp probe on that im getting a reading of 125-130 degrees. so i figured its too hot and to lower the wattage of bulb (or buy a thermostat if it didnt work) well i wanted to try it again, this time putting the probe about and inch above the log, and this temp read only 89 degrees. is the log a heat conductor or something? and wont this burn the feet and bellys of my dragons? especially if i get the air temp to 110-115 like it should be id imagine the temp on the log would be like 200 degrees.

any suggestions? is the log a heat conductor? should i remove it?

(this also happened when i rested the probe on a peice of drift wood)
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Beach Beardies

3.4.11 bearded dragons
1.0.0 Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1.0 Sugar Gliders
0.1.0 Miss Queen Athena (Cat)

Judson,

I also had problems heating that cage so I played around with different wattage bulbs in different positions until I found a temperture I was comfortable with. At times I had outrageous temp readings like you are getting now, and I just ignored them (I know I'm going to get blasted for saying that). I let the right side of the cage be the cool spot (Mind you I was using a 160 watt Power Sun for my basking light) because if my dragon was a little to warm it would move to the cool side "somethings". The wood may conduct a little heat but not enough to burn the dragon. I would test my basking spot by placing the palm and/or the backside of my hand on the basking spot. If I couldn't hold my hand on that spot for more than 15 second it was to hot. (That's probably not the best way to test a basking spot but it worked for me.) I would also know it was too hot if my dragon mouth was gaped open trying to cool down. I hope this helps, and if not call me or email me and I help you figure it out.