That's great that your husband went to get another thermometer. Just to be sure, it does have a long wire with a probe end, right? If so, I wanted to explain just how to get the temps. If you have one that gives 2 readings an "in" and "out" you would lay the probe end so that it is resting on the basking surface with the thermometer part sitting right on the cool side. Wait about 45 min for the temp to stop rising and then the "out" reading would be for the basking side & the "in" for the cool side. If the thermometer has a probe end but only gives one reading, then you would have to wait about 45 min to get the basking temp with the probe laying on the basking surface, then you would need to move the probe end to the cool side and wait another 45 min for the temp to stop moving there before you get the final reading on that side.
So you're using one 100 watt basking bulb on the basking side and that's all? If so, I'll bet the temps are too cool. You mentioned that your tank is 5 ft x 4 ft, does that mean that it is 60" long by 48" wide? How tall is it? I'm trying to help you figure out what would be the wattage of the bulbs you'll need to get a basking temp of a little over 100 and a cool side of about 80. He may be only staying on the basking side because he isn't warm enough there and the cool side is too cool. You may have to use either 2 basking bulbs & a lower wattage one on the cool side or a 150 watt bulb on the basking side. Let's wait and see what temps you get from the new thermometer first. Let me know & I can help you make adjustments.
That's good that he got the aloe & that he ate 2 crickets. So, he got a ceramic heat emitter too, that's great, what wattage did he find? You've made some great changes already. :wink:
So you're using one 100 watt basking bulb on the basking side and that's all? If so, I'll bet the temps are too cool. You mentioned that your tank is 5 ft x 4 ft, does that mean that it is 60" long by 48" wide? How tall is it? I'm trying to help you figure out what would be the wattage of the bulbs you'll need to get a basking temp of a little over 100 and a cool side of about 80. He may be only staying on the basking side because he isn't warm enough there and the cool side is too cool. You may have to use either 2 basking bulbs & a lower wattage one on the cool side or a 150 watt bulb on the basking side. Let's wait and see what temps you get from the new thermometer first. Let me know & I can help you make adjustments.
That's good that he got the aloe & that he ate 2 crickets. So, he got a ceramic heat emitter too, that's great, what wattage did he find? You've made some great changes already. :wink:
