Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby in a tank that I tested the temps in, and it is only saying about 80 under the light. Here's the set up. 15gallon long (he's really small) with a basking branch that comes about 5" from the mesh top. The light sits right on top of this spot, with a smaller dome, and a 60 watt bulb.

I can't imagine I need a 100 watter on there. Seems like that would cook him out?

I used a digital thermometer from Radio shack that has a digital display and the temperture unit on a wire about 4 ft long. So I hvae the tip of it balanced right on the branch under the light. I let it sit there a long time (an hour?) and it still topped out at under 80. Is this not the same "temperture" reading that others are using to get there "105"? Is this maybe an ambient reading and others are using a more "indexed" reading?

Thanks for any help you can give on this

well understand that folks are saying that a dragon should have a RANGE of temps in the habitat.

that the *MAX* temp should be very hot.

and the dragon should have a hide that is cool compared to the hot temp. and access to water to drink if they wish.

a dragon will go to the hot area sit, warm up, open mouth, then move around to a cooler spot and sit for a long time.

when the dragon gets "Hot" it will keep it's internal temp warm for a good while.

why so hot?
all herps are kind of "Solar powered"
if the gut does not get warm enuf then food is not digested fully or as fast as it should.
a herp that is not digesting right will be slow, not grow fast and may also be more vunerable to other health problems.

and a young dragon needs more hot temps to help it grow fast during the first year. understand they do the amount of growth a human does in say 16 years in the first 12 months of thier life!! thats a *HUGE* amount of work!!
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I guess what my real question is this...

With the thermometer I'm using, should I be shooting for a reading of 105... or is my thermometer more of an ambient reading or something, that doesn't read the same as what others are using to get that 105 reading?

And secondarily and relative to the above - shouldn't a 60 watt bulb from 5 to 6" read MUCH hotter than 80 degrees (under 80 actually)?? Seems like it should.

IF it's the digital probe on, it is reading the basking point temps.... those should be 95-105F. You should have the probe end when the hot point is in the tanks and get the temps to that.

The 60 watt light your using may be a soft white or cool white light and not putting out much heat.

Ambient temps in the cool area should be around 80F

YEs, getting the temps tot he proper point is vital, without those temp ranges the dragon can not digest his food and can become inpacted or get little nutrition out of what he is eating
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www.reptilerooms.com

I find that the cheaper regular bulbs put off more heat at the same wattage. Also if you want to go even lower in wattage, pick up a spotlight or floodlight. Different brand put off different heat, it's a matter of finding the one that works for your setup and stick with it.

Sean
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Heart Mountain Herps

Try a 75watt bulb instead of the 60 watt. Also, the screen can be diffusing the temperature a bit as well. Get a standard household bulb which is much cheaper than the baskign bulbs sold at petstores. For instance, a 75w basking bulb at one of petstores near where I used to live, was $7. The same size bulb at Canadian Tire (a home hardware type of store chain in Canada) was $.89 (prices in Canadian dollars, by the way).

Nice picture by the way.
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PHLdyPayne