Accurite digital thermometer

[diamc]

I totally agree, there are NO stupid questions. You certainly can use a standard household light bulb, no need to spend extra $ on a reptile basking bulb. Depending on the temps, you could try a 75 watt or even a 60 watt bulb, be sure to wait about 45 min for the temps to stop rising before getting the final temps. When the basking spot was 120, what was the cool side temp and what wattage bulb, if any, are you using on the cool side now?

 

[Eddie789]

Thanks i appreciate it! 75w bulb. zoo med basking bulb. It was at 79-80 cool side. 120-125. The house is a at a constant 70-75 because of cold temps outside! I was also thinking that i could put something like a rock that's down low. I was saying that because i am using the same hide as the basking rock! I touched it and it felt pretty dang hot! Oh also were should the hide go? Cool side or hot side?

 

[diamc]

Are you using a low wattage bulb on the cool side now, if so what wattage? I noticed your tank looked dark on that side so once we know if you are and what the wattage is, we can make suggestions for helping to adjust the temps.

The hide you're using for the basking spot looks great so I would try to continue to use that. Something else to keep in mind is that the UVB (Repti-Sun 10.0 tube) needs to be 6 to 8" from your beardie while in the basking spot, that way he/she can get the benefit from both bulbs at the same time. Do you have the Repti-Sun 10.0 tube now? If your setup is still the same as in the picture, you'll either need to mount the UVB inside the tank or get a log or build up the basking spot so that your beardie will be the right distance away. Once you figure out the distance of the UVB, then you would go to the next step of figuring out temps and wattages of bulbs.

For the hide, I have always put them on the cool side but is fine to put kinda toward the middle.

 

[Eddie789]

Yeah i am only using the 75w basking bulb right now. I am getting the reptisun here in about a week or so. I start working tomorrow so i imagine in about a week or so i will have one. As for the hide i think i am going to put that in the cool side and get a rock or a long as the basking object. I did notice that i put the probe down at the very bottom of the hide and it was at a constant 100 or so degres. I image the bulb is too close to the probe so i will have to find something at the right distance. If i was to raise the bulb a bit how could i do that? Do they sell clamps seperate or would have to buy a complete clamp lamp fixture? Thanks.

 

[Eddie789]

Yeah i am only using the 75w basking bulb right now. I am getting the reptisun here in about a week or so. I start working tomorrow so i imagine in about a week or so i will have one. As for the hide i think i am going to put that in the cool side and get a rock or a long as the basking object. I did notice that i put the probe down at the very bottom of the hide and it was at a constant 100 or so degrees. I image the bulb is too close to the probe so i will have to find something at the right distance. If i was to raise the bulb a bit how could i do that? Do they sell clamps separate or would have to buy a complete clamp lamp fixture? Thanks.

 

[diamc]

You could actually get a clamp lamp like this: http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-light-fixtures/11442-504915/zoo-med-deluxe-porcelain-clamp-lamp.html My recommendation would be to decide how you're going to put the strip fluorescent hood at the right distance first, then decide on what you're going to use for a basking spot so that it will be at the right distance. When that is all figured out, then you would need to use a lower wattage heat bulb since the bulb will be closer to the basking spot than it is now. You may only need a 60 watt household light bulb which would lower the cool side temp, so then you could get another clamp lamp and use a lower wattage household bulb on the cool side, like a 25 or 40 watt depending on what your temps are. I know this whole temp process is frustrating, but once it's all set up, you won't have to do any major adjustments again.

 

[BKRsBeardie]

Eddie
Just checking back to see how things are going and if you got your temps set and a baby in that cage??

 

[Eddie789]

Well thanks. Everything is still the same. I am going to go with the clamp lamp thing and see if that works. I also still need to buy the reptisun bulb. I just started working this week so i imagine not to long from now i will have my first beardie!

 

[BKRsBeardie]

Cool! Did you get a link to the site that sells the bulbs CHEAP? It may be here in your thread if not, let me know and I'll find it for you.

 

[Eddie789]

Yup got the link! Can't wait till then!