Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i havea savannah monitor that is 20" now and 1 year and 4 months old. i have him in a 5'x3'x4' cage. i have two 150 watt basking bulbs above basking area. the bulbs are 2 feet above basking area. is this okay.

Sounds like overkill on the high wattage bulbs. Glad you are paying that electric bill and not me! haha

Try using low wattage bulbs, like 45 watt floods, and put them closer to the basking spot instead of two feet away. But its only a suggestion. I had a fear of putting them close and having my animal get burned, but I tried it and have not seen a 45 watt burn my monitors up to this point. Helps keep the other end of the cage cooler and as well, and humidity is easier to maintain.

150 does sound alot. wouldnt two 100 watt work because i cant put the ulbs closer

I recommend using the lowest wattages you can use to achieve the results(temps) you desire. I don't know what your cage is like, but can you stack the dirt up higher so the basking spot will be closer? If so, I would do that.

I would be more concerned with why my lizard was that small than lite bulbs.
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

First of all, we need to make sure you're using either BR, K, ER, R, or PAR shaped bulbs, as seen in the diagram of THIS LINK, and not a standard household incandescent style, "A" in the linked diagram.

It's also just as important that you know what the temperature is at the basking site in order to establish a proper site.

Without you prvoding us with this info it's strictly guess work. Could you please clarify these things for us?

Take care!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

the bulbs i am using are the exo terra sun glo 150 watt tight beam. the bulbs are 2 feet away the basking area and the bubs themseles are 1 foot apart. i put a digital themometer in between the basking area and it read 119.5 degrees. i think it is a liitle to hot for a lizard his size. the ambient temperature in my cage is 90 degrees. and on the second and first levels of his cage read in the low 80s. i am only gonna put the second one on when he is full grown and needs more heat or when it get cold in the winter. i have been using the 150 watt in that cage for 7 months so far and i have not seen any burns or any other problems. he still has a great appetite and still very energetic.

I think you're in need of some modifications.

The bulb you're using is a "spot" with a "tight beam," like you said. You should be able to lower the ambient tmep, increase basking site temp, and heat up more of your monitor's body, all of which I feel needs to be done, by lowering the ligt fixtures and using 2 45 - 60 watt "flood" bulbs. You also might have to move one of the fixtures closer to the other one, maybe, maybe not.

You said that you couldn't lower the fixtures but surely there's a way, although it may not be easy. I'd sure be trying to figure how I could.

Hope this helps!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Here is how the basking area should look with 2-45 watt flood lamps.

Please excuse the poop!!! This picture was taken the day of the pooping, for all who may think I don't clean my cages, lol...