Advice on heating

[ekgep92]

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!

 

[hdochow]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[KarrieRee]

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]

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]

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?

 

[ekgep92]

Is the tank by a window or door? Is it on the floor?

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?

 

[KarrieRee]

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]

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]

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