Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So im trying to get the temperatures settled in the tank before i get my Uro on saturday.

I have a Mega Ray MVB bulb for UVB, which is great but unfortunately doesnt give off as much heat as i would like.

So im trying different wattage bulbs as a secondary bulb to up the temps (the MVB alone only heats the basking spot to 90).

Im having trouble getting the basking temp right at 120 though, with a 150w bulb i can get it to a range between 100-115 (depending on where the Uro was sitting), which isn't quite hot enough. However, the next wattage up, a 200, heats it to close to 150 degrees!! YIKES

I even have a towel over one half of the cage to keep in heat.

What shuld i do? Is 115 ok for a basking spot?

Thanks
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
2.1 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo,Jeffrey Nothing, Louise)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
1.0 Blood Red Corn (Virus)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

My ornates vent temperatures are consistently around 105. My basking spots are 110 to 120 degrees and I have not had a problem with them. They warm up then run around and pretty much do the same most of the time. The ground temp is 80 degrees. My trio are housed in a stock oval water tank with diminsions of 51" X 25" X 20". I have a rock that they can climb up to the basking spots. I have 2 clamp lights that shine on the rock. My substrate is millet. I know that there is much debate about substrates but after having lost one male when my substrate was sand, I switched to millet and am not having any problems.

I would try the lower wattage bulb. I actually stopped using the heat lamp/uvb combos because they just didn't output the heat I expected. Some Uros like it hotter, others prefer it a little cooler. Archie seemed happiest with a basking spot of about 115, but still spent the vast majority of his time in the cooler parts of his tank. Mosca appears to be a heat worshipper and likes his basking spot closer to the 120-130 range, and still spends quite a bit of time there.

The other thing depends on age. The breeder I got Mosca from recommended keeping the temps a *little* on the cooler side with the babies. All in all though, start with what you think might work, ie the lower wattage. If the Uro spends all his/her time basking, then you may need a warmer basking spot. If they seem to move in and out of the basking spot, you are probably ok. The joys of the inconsistent lizard.

I hope that helps ease your mind a little!

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
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0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
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0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

use a regular Halogen Flood bulb (flood, not spot, available for 4 bucks at Home Depot) and use an elevated basking spot. we rarely use more than a 45 watt Halogen bulb, and using the elevated basking spot, we can easily achieve temps 150+.

reptile bulbs throw very poor heat, Halogens throw a nice, thick, usable heat. but no bulb is very good at heating something far away, so elevate your basking spot towards your heat source, and the proper temps are much easier to achieve, with a much lower wattage, and there is less fear (as with running some 2 billion watt bulb that gets flaming hot : )

i have attached a pic of the wood stacks we use for many basking applications. hottest on top close to the heat, with a 5-10 degree drop per level. it gives the animal a terrific temp gradient choice, works as a multiple hide spot, and doubles usable cage space when used in a 20 or 30 gallon setup.

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles