Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby 5 inch bearded dragon in a 20 gallon tank, The temp. shows that on the hot side, the hottest it is getting is 84. I know that's low, but i have a plant right there where he can climb up about 3 inches away from the light if he wants, seems like that would make it a little hotter than 84. How am i supposed to get it even hotter tho?
It's in only a 20 gallon, so if i make the hot side hotter, the cool side gets hotter along with it.
Do i need 2 lightbulbs on the hot side ?
The one i am usuing now is 60w i think.

What type of light are you using for the UVB? If it's not a mercury vapor that gives off heat as well, I'd say to go up on the 60 watt bulb to 75-100 watt and see what your temps are like. Just a regular light bulb for the heat will do.

Good luck! Your goal is 100-115 for basking temp

-Bonnie

Make sure you are measuring your temps correctly. use either a temp gun (proexotics.com) or an indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe from walmart. With these devices you can measure the temps in the actual basking spot, and also you can move the probe or the gun around and get the temps in the cool side too.

Is it a 20gallon long or just a regular 20gallon?

As far as how many bulbs you may need or what wattage it differs from keeper to keeper, depending on the temps of your house. I personally use only one 100watt bulb on my 90gallon tank in the summer and the basking temps are 105-110.

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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

i am using a 75 watt bulb with my bd/ the one you probably have in your closet somewhere and his tank got up to 100 (hot side of course)i would get ride of what your using ang get a basking rock.on the cool side of mine is about 80 deg. withh a branch on the cooler side for him to climb.i hope my info works, let me know.i also have a 20 long tank for my 7 inch bd.

wut about a 100 watt bulb, i just bought it. I am using a branch instead of a heating rock right now. It;s getting up to about 105 right now, does that sound like a good temp. and set up?

105F basking temp is good. Just make sure you are using a digital thermometer with probe or a temp gun. the stick on dial or strip type thermometers are not accurate and difficult to use to measure basking temp.
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PHLdyPayne

just wanted to give a quick caution, you mentioned a heat rock. Do not use one. They can be harmfull to a BD. It can cause burns. Stick with the branch.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard may he/she Rest in Peace