Basking in the winter

[commandercookies]

Hi all,

I'm still pretty new to all this but Sandy and I are finally getting into a routine. I use the digital probe thermometers. Sandy is about a year old in a 40g breeder. I'm currently using a Zoo Med 150w basking bulb (that sits atop a screen lid) and a Zoo Med 22" 10.0 UVB 24w T5 (which is mounted inside the tank). My temps have been okay, 70F on the cool side and 100F basking side. But it has been getting colder and my house is just, well, chilly (around 66F-65F). Now my basking temp is 94, and my cool side 67. I can tell that she is not happy with the lower temp (she turns a bit darker and is quite grumpy).
My question to you is do I get a higher wattage basking bulb?
Would it make a difference to get one of those 'intense' basking bulbs by exo-terra?
I'm thinking of at least turning on my CHE, but would that make it too hot?
I was also thinking of getting a halogen light to brighten up the tank anyway (it's a bit dark on the cool side), would that make a difference in temperature?

Thanks everyone for your help, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[HylianHealeys]

I would recommend getting a higher wattage basking bulb, or switching to a different type of bulb. Frankly the Zoo Med/Exo Terra/whatever name brand bulbs are quite useless, and lack the heat output or lifespan to be worth the inflated price. Go to your local farm/livestock store and grab a livestock heating bulb — 125 watts should be plenty to get the temps you want. If you don't have a farm supply store nearby, you might be able to find one at a home improvement store. If they don't have that type of bulb, a halogen floodlight bulb around 125-150 watts should be plenty.

Since you want more light on the cool end, use a lower wattage basking bulb there — I imagine you'll need about 75 watts.

For future reference, CHE bulbs are very effective for raising temps without adding light. And in fact, you might want to turn it on when the other lamps turn off to make sure the terrarium doesn't get too cold at night. If you're concerned about it getting too hot, plug it in to a lamp dimmer or thermostat to regulate its heat output.