Heating for 120 gal

[AnnieT]

Moving my beardie to a 120 gal tank. Reptile Habitats 4x2x2 PVC Reptile Enclosure | $299 Free Shipping
That's the one I'm getting. I have the uvb lighting figured out, but now I need help with the heating. What light and fixture/s should I use?

 

[xp29]

I use domes rated for 150 watts with ceramic sockets. I use a couple 100 watt bulbs set up to have 2 different basking areas. That could be a little much but i have elevated platforms made of tile in one, and sandstone in the other so they still have someplace they can go cool off.

 

[AnnieT]

I use domes rated for 150 watts with ceramic sockets. I use a couple 100 watt bulbs set up to have 2 different basking areas. That could be a little much but i have elevated platforms made of tile in one, and sandstone in the other so they still have someplace they can go cool off.

So they need 2 basking areas? I'm still so new to this. Any tips on how to do/make/setup platforms?

 

[xp29]

They don't have to have two, as long as your cool side is around 80 degrees 1 is ok. I offer two so that they have one that is elevated and one that is floor level. It just gives them options.
If your are handy in the shop or are crafty/artsy there is no end of ways. The biggest thing is to make sure it's safe for them. Nothing that can fall on them or with them, nothing they can get stuck in, and no conifer type woods unless they are sealed, any type of evergreen is toxic to them.
In one habitat i took closet shelving cut to size, added legs and topped with granite textured tile cut to fit. The other i used driftwood for the base and fitted a big piece of sandstone as the platform.

 

[AnnieT]

Okay. Thank you very much! Not very crafty, but I'll do my best lol

 

[AnnieT]

So I got the new enclosure set up, but I'm trying to figure out the heating before I move Em over. I got the light you suggested, but I can't get the hot side above 93°. I even tried covering part of the top screen to keep more heat in. I also tried adding the uva I have in the current tank. I let it sit for a long time before checking the temp with a probe and an IR thermometer. What else should I do?

 

[NickAVD]

So I got the new enclosure set up, but I'm trying to figure out the heating before I move Em over. I got the light you suggested, but I can't get the hot side above 93°. I even tried covering part of the top screen to keep more heat in. I also tried adding the uva I have in the current tank. I let it sit for a long time before checking the temp with a probe and an IR thermometer. What else should I do?

I had a similar problem in the winter.
I solved it by installing an additional Arcadia Deep Heat (IR) lamp.
I just put it on the top to raise the average temperature in the terrarium.
Perhaps this will help you.

 

[KarrieRee]

So I got the new enclosure set up, but I'm trying to figure out the heating before I move Em over. I got the light you suggested, but I can't get the hot side above 93°. I even tried covering part of the top screen to keep more heat in. I also tried adding the uva I have in the current tank. I let it sit for a long time before checking the temp with a probe and an IR thermometer. What else should I do?

What wattage is the basking bulb?

 

[AnnieT]

I had a similar problem in the winter.
I solved it by installing an additional Arcadia Deep Heat (IR) lamp.
I just put it on the top to raise the average temperature in the terrarium.
Perhaps this will help you.

Can I keep the IR on during the day?

 

[AnnieT]

What wattage is the basking bulb?

100w

 

[KarrieRee]

100w

Go to a 150 and see what temps your getting then-- The Deep Heat is good for at night - you can run them during the day but I would try and rely on your basking bulb for heat

 

[NickAVD]

Can I keep the IR on during the day?

Yes of course.
My main basking lamp is 50w Arcadia Deep Heat
And additional heat is 80w lamp on the top

 

[NickAVD]

Go to a 150 and see what temps your getting then-- The Deep Heat is good for at night - you can run them during the day but I would try and rely on your basking bulb for heat

You are absolutely right.
I thought that it is necessary to increase the temperature, but not the brightness of the light.

 

[AnnieT]

You are absolutely right.
I thought that it is necessary to increase the temperature, but not the brightness of the light.

Yeah. The temp is all I'm worried about