Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

So we recently finished a new cage for our baby water dragon that is 2x2x4 and we're having some problems heating it. The day time temp should be between 82-88 degrees and the night time should be between 75-80 degrees. Right now I'm using two bulbs for heating, during the day I have a "Zoo Med Day Bulb" that is 100 watts and at night I'm using an "Exo Terra Night Glo Moonlight Bulb" that is 75 watts. There is also a UVB bulb but that generates almost no heat. Right now the hottest part of the tank is only about 82 and at night the hottest part drops to 75. So we're adding a new spot light into the tank to help boost the day time temperature. All I've ever used are incandescent bulbs so I was wondering if someone could tell me if other types of bulbs provide more heat, such as the halogen and ceramic bulbs. Do they provide more heat for less wattage? Any pro's or con's?

Any info is appreciated!

I dont have much experience with the chemical heat emitter but they work to bring up mainly the ambient air temp. I use halogen bulbs they bring the heat up but also give a good basking spot for lizards. Just make sure they dont have the clear center cause that could burn your animal.....
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, casper)
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.2.1 Sulcata Tortoise (tank, sahara and skittles)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders (bernie and ernie)
0.0.1 Painted Turtles (moe)
0.0.1 Western Soft shell (Squirt)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow and Sparkles )
0.0.1 Sumatran Water Monitor (Tiny)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Love Bird ( KIKI )
1.2.0 Dog (layla, Roxy and Rosco)
2.1.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.1.2 Ferret (jordan RIP, Cosmo and Izzy)
0.0.1 White Tree Frog (dumpy jr.)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (ferdinan)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.3 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Bahama Anole
0.0.1 Giant Millipede
0.0.1 Aligator Snapping turtle
0.0.1 Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
0.0.1 Emporor Scorpion
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon
0.0.1 Argentina Black and White Tegu
2.1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boas
Lots Of Fish

Is the day bulb in a reflector to direct the heat down?

I don't know much about water dragons - will they climb up to bask close to the heat source? If so, then get a spot lamp (they sell red spot heat lamps and directional halogen lamps) or use a ceramic heat emitter (CHE). CHEs direct the heat down. An animal can raise its internal body temp under a CHE even if the air does not register as warm.

With your current bulbs, you are in effect heating the air up high in the cage but not down to the animal as much. You need heat to radiate downward onto the animal. A spot lamp, halogen spot or CHE can do that.
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Mark