Advice on heating

ekgep92

Member
Beardie name(s)
Rex
Hi everyone,

I was given a 10 month old bearded dragon three months ago, so I am still new to the reptile world.
I am having issues with my heat setup. I recently switched my beardie from a 40 gallon to a 120 gallon tank I found on Dubai roaches and I cannot get the temperature above 100 and I have 4 heat bulbs on top! 100 watt ceramic, 150 watt exo terra, (2) 100 watt bulbs. Is this normal? I can't figure out if it is the lighting fixtures, the bulb, or the tank? I have several different thermometers and a heat gun and they are all reading at or below 100 degrees. (on the basking side) Any suggestions would be great! I have literally spent a small fortune trying to figure it out.
Thanks!
 
Last edited:

hdochow

Juvie Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
are you using digital probe thermometers to get your temperatures? they are the most accurate. the heat guns can be off depending on what type of surface you are reading. so it is possible you are where you need to be already.

that does seem like a lot of bulbs! i've only got a 50W in mine, but it is a solid top so the lights are inside and it holds heat much better.
 

ekgep92

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Rex
are you using digital probe thermometers to get your temperatures? they are the most accurate. the heat guns can be off depending on what type of surface you are reading. so it is possible you are where you need to be already.

that does seem like a lot of bulbs! i've only got a 50W in mine, but it is a solid top so the lights are inside and it holds heat much better.
I use the zooMed digital thermometers with one on the basking site. Today it read 88-90 :/ The lamps are all close together to try to keep it warm, but so far I haven't had any luck.


Do you have any advice for how you attached your heat lamp inside? I attached his UVB light bar in the tank with small chains, but I couldn't figure out how to secure the heat lamp.
Thank you!
 

hdochow

Juvie Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
i've got a custom build from a small mom and pop company in portland, OR, and the fixtures came pre-installed. they're screwed to the inside of the top. i'm sure someone else will chime in with how they have theirs though. i'll tag someone that should be able to help. @KarrieRee
 

ekgep92

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Rex
i've got a custom build from a small mom and pop company in portland, OR, and the fixtures came pre-installed. they're screwed to the inside of the top. i'm sure someone else will chime in with how they have theirs though. i'll tag someone that should be able to help. @KarrieRee
Thank you so much!
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 5 and Blaze is 3
i've got a custom build from a small mom and pop company in portland, OR, and the fixtures came pre-installed. they're screwed to the inside of the top. i'm sure someone else will chime in with how they have theirs though. i'll tag someone that should be able to help. @KarrieRee
How far is the basking bulb from the basking spot where he sits? How are you measuring temps? Digital probe thermometers are the most accurate- can you post a pic of the set up please
 

ekgep92

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Rex
How far is the basking bulb from the basking spot where he sits? How are you measuring temps? Digital probe thermometers are the most accurate- can you post a pic of the set up please
The basking bulbs are about 11 inches away from his basking spot and I have the ZooMed digital probe thermometers in the tank because the temp gun was not giving accurate readings. Is his basking spot too far away? I want to figure out a way to attach the heat bulb inside the tank, but I was worried about fire hazard.
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 5 and Blaze is 3
The basking bulbs are about 11 inches away from his basking spot and I have the ZooMed digital probe thermometers in the tank because the temp gun was not giving accurate readings. Is his basking spot too far away? I want to figure out a way to attach the heat bulb inside the tank, but I was worried about fire hazard.
Are you placing the probe on the log / stick he's sitting on to get that temp? It seems like over kill w/ the bulbs?
 

ekgep92

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Rex
Are you placing the probe on the log / stick he's sitting on to get that temp? It seems like over kill w/ the bulbs?
I have it a little higher than he is on the log and I am so confused why it takes so many to heat the tank because the house is pretty warm. I may try the halogen bulbs with a new dome / dome hanger to see if that helps heat it better. I had the same issue with my glass tank so it has to be something I am doing wrong.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 5 and Blaze is 3
I have it a little higher than he is on the log and I am so confused why it takes so many to heat the tank because the house is pretty warm. I may try the halogen bulbs with a new dome / dome hanger to see if that helps heat it better. I had the same issue with my glass tank so it has to be something I am doing wrong.
Is the tank by a window or door? Is it on the floor?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 5 and Blaze is 3
It is about a foot and a half away (diagonally) from the window near the marsh. I have his tank on a dresser. Could that be the problem?
Possibly --- is it cold over by the window--- I have 2 tanks in my computer room both sit on the wall of the garage one by my window the other more on the inside of the room - the one by my window is always a little cooler and takes longer to warm up in the winter -- we just had all the windows replaced in July so I have been watching that tank --- doesnt seem to be near as cold which is good because we have only had one week of really cold below zero weather so far --- Can you move that tank away from that window? This is just trial and error or move him to a warmer room ---
 

ekgep92

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Rex
Possibly --- is it cold over by the window--- I have 2 tanks in my computer room both sit on the wall of the garage one by my window the other more on the inside of the room - the one by my window is always a little cooler and takes longer to warm up in the winter -- we just had all the windows replaced in July so I have been watching that tank --- doesnt seem to be near as cold which is good because we have only had one week of really cold below zero weather so far --- Can you move that tank away from that window? This is just trial and error or move him to a warmer room ---
It is a little cold over by the window, I will try to move him into my room and see if that helps. I will have to wait until someone can help me because that tank is heavy! Haha
That makes sense though and I should have thought of that when I set his tank up. I will update you when I move him :)
Fingers crossed the weather stays warm for you!
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 5 and Blaze is 3
It is a little cold over by the window, I will try to move him into my room and see if that helps. I will have to wait until someone can help me because that tank is heavy! Haha
That makes sense though and I should have thought of that when I set his tank up. I will update you when I move him :)
Fingers crossed the weather stays warm for you!
Uhh yea that ain't happening to soon- he will go thru relocation stress- so he may not eat for a day or two after the move - keep me posted and make sure your watching those temps
 

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