Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings everyone,
I recently just tried testing the Basking Spot (Top of the Drift Wood), with my Exo Terra Temperature Guages, and waited 5-6 minutes for it to capture the exact temperature. I checked the guage and it's WAY beyond 120 Mark line, looked like it was also still going up like it was going to 160. (No lines after 120 Mark) The Terrnaium I am using is a 40 Breeder, and the Bulb I am currently using is a EXO TERRA 150 Watt SunGLO Tight Beam. My question is, I'm pretty sure I need to change the Wattage ASAP, correct? I am going to try this 100-Watt Bulb next, but when would you guys recommend I stop lowering Wattages? Also, I don't see too many signs saying he's too hot, more like enjoys the heat sometimes from the top, cept sometimes his mouth opens and shuts, sometimes opens for 30 minutes and licks his mouth. However, I'm also concerned it may be TOO hot for him handle, considering I see him always basking most of the time on the lower end of the Basking DriftWood. Let me know what you guys think I should do!
Thanks,
Charles & Rufio

I'm new to this so I could be wrong, but I think you need to lower your wattage. Especially if he's hanging out at the bottom of his basking area. I know I need to buy digital thermometer's for my tank cause we were sold the stick on ones and they aren't correct. I've been told that the temp should not exceed 110 degrees. I hope someone else with more experience can help though. Good luck.
Rebecca

what is the watt ? .. we use 60 watts ..

and if it's still to high we have some spare higher or smaller watts -- also we have like a rope that hangs over the cage . and we ajust the temps as well ... so we get exact temps

I use 150Watts, only reason I do is because the Temperature Gauges near the sand, say 80-84, 73-74 with 100Watts, it's just typically strange to me, that's all. Maybe someone can shed some light on this problem.

whht size tank???? cause i use a 160 in a 30 breeder it hits 110 and the rest of tank gos down to 78 on the other side

A 40 Breeder is the same floor size (36" x 18" as a 30 Breeder. A 40 Breeder is 18" High and a 30 Breeder is 12" High. Temp. depends greatly on how far the bulb is from the basking site, also how warm the room is. That's why everyone should use a good thermometer.

I highly doubt the temperatures at your basking area is as high as that thermometer is saying. IF it was your dragon would not be sitting at the top of his basking log most of the time. From what i know of the Exo-Terra thermometers they are one of two types, a stick on 'tape' like thing which uses colors indicate temperatures or a dial shaped stick on the side of the tank style. Neither of these are all that accurate.

I suggest going to any home hardware/home improvement type store, or even department stores like Walmart, and by a standard digital thermometer with probe. Place the probe directly on your dragon's basking spot and give it about half an hour, to see what the temperature is.

However 150 watt spot light seems a bit high for a 40 gallon tank...but because it is a narrow beam style bulb, it may really focus the heat in a narrow area. MOve the probe around underneath the bulb (on the basking spot of course) and see if there is a great difference to the sides where the light directly shines on. Flood light style bulbs I find work better, as they spread the heat out more evenly along a wide inclining style basking area, giving your dragon more choices in what temperature range he wants to bask in.
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PHLdyPayne