Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was over at my parents place today, and I've been watching the temps in the room as the Jax spends much of his time basking and up around the top of his cage. My parents should move to Alaska and live in an igloo since they like it so cool in their house...I'd say they keep it around 70-72 degrees. Anyway, the Jax is in the room where they hang out, and I noticed that his basking spot only gets up to around 80 degrees when they have the a/c set to where they are comfortable. Sometimes when I'm there, I raise it up a bit and it gets up to 85 degrees.

I don't think he's happy with it only getting to 80...lots of the time, when he's basking, he is black like he is trying to get himself warmer. The other times he's moving about the cage he is not black...only when he's basking.

Anyway, I was wondering...should I add another light (lower wattage, maybe) just a little bit lower in the cage to make sure it's not really too cool down low? Or should I add another light at the top to try to get it to 85?? He's pretty smart in that at night, he goes down about midway to get settled before lights out. The wattage of his basking light is already pretty high, though I can't remember exactly what it is. OR...does anyone know of any reptile type bulbs that would keep his basking spot warmer???

Along the same lines, the Carpet is always basking too...I know they love warmth, but I think the room he is in is too cool for him, as well. It's warmer than the one the Jax is in, but ambient temps are probably only in low to mid 70's for him...I think he, too, would like it a bit warmer.

Just wonder what you all think is the best way to achieve this. Thanks!!!
Kristen
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1.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson
0.0.3 red eared sliders

i think you are fine the way u are......

jacksons only like a basking spot of about 80-85, and higher and it will stress him/her out....

your conditions are good b/c most people dont want to spend the money to have AC on constantly like your parents.....

just keep the humidity up and u should be fine!

Hope this helps

Oh, good...I think I read 85 for the basking spot for Jax, and I'm a perfectionist...so if it isn't reaching 85, then I need to fix it.

What do you think about him always being black when he's basking or around his basking area??? Just trying to stay warm???

I guess it is better that it's around 80, instead of the other way around where it would get too hot at some times of the day...wouldn't want him to get TOO hot.

Thanks!
Kristen
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1.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson
0.0.3 red eared sliders

Most chams turn dark colors when they bask so that they can absorb the heat easier. As long as he isn't dark all the time I wouldn't worry, his dark basking colors are normal.

Hi kristen,

Just a thought...I use a ceramic heat emmiter for my house geckos (no light at night but keeps temps up). They come in 60w and 100w. They are expensive, I got mine at the show for $20. Reptiledirect.com has them inexpensive, I think. They go right into a dome light but it HAS to have a ceramic housing.

lele

>>Oh, good...I think I read 85 for the basking spot for Jax, and I'm a perfectionist...so if it isn't reaching 85, then I need to fix it.
>>
>>What do you think about him always being black when he's basking or around his basking area??? Just trying to stay warm???
>>
>>I guess it is better that it's around 80, instead of the other way around where it would get too hot at some times of the day...wouldn't want him to get TOO hot.
>>
>>Thanks!
>>Kristen
>>-----
>>1.1 pygmy leaf
>>1.0 carpet
>>1.0 jackson
>>0.0.3 red eared sliders
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles (Jaida, no name)
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - (still no names)

This is the best way to provide heat at night if you need it, but FYI they are very hot, a 60 watt heat emitter is much hotter than a 60 watt bulb because 100% of the energy is converted to heat, none is wasted on light, just a fact to be aware of so that you can position it properly to avoid burns and get the temp where you want it. Good Luck!