Basking light temperatures and wattage

[Kiara1125]

I'm buying a basking light for my future beardie today. I have the UVB bulb and fixture and I also have the fixture for the basking light. My only problem is I need to know how many watts I would need. I live in Florida and my room is usually n even 82F, so that's a good ambient temperature for the tank. Would it take a 50w or a 75w bulb to heat up a tank that's only 12" tall? I don't think I would need a 100w bulb, so I'm trying to decide which bulbs to go with. I could experiment, but I have to take an hour drive to the pet store and I don't have any hardware stores around - therefore I'd rather be safe than sorry and get advice from you guys. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[CooperDragon]

It's hard to say exactly which wattage you will need. If the ambient temperature is already 82, then you won't want to raise the temps on the cool side of the tank so my guess is that a lower wattage bulb would do the trick, but you may want to elevate it. You'll need to adjust the basking site height and the basking light height until you get the basking site up to about 100-105 (100-110 for a young dragon). You'll want to get a temperature gun or digital thermometer with a probe to get accurate readings. I suggest a temp gun so that you can get quick readings rather than waiting 45 min with the probe after making each adjustment.

 

[lisa127]

I agree that you definitely need a temperature gun to measure your temps. As for the wattage, what you can do is buy the 75 watt but also buy a lamp dimmer with it. That way if the 75 watt ends up being more than you need you can just dial down the heat. A lamp dimmer or a rheostat is what you want. I use rheostats on just about every enclosure in my reptile room. It's much easier than raising or lowering the height of the fixture.

 

[Kiara1125]

I want to get a lamp dimmer, but I don't want to pay an extra $30 for one. I'm wondering if I can run over to Petco and get one that has a dimmer, but I'll see how my time and money goes. I think I'll just go with a 75w bulb. I currently have one bearded dragon (the last one) reserved for me at Petsmart. Two male employees where fighting over the phone whether the beardie was a leatherback or not. I was dying laughing, but it turns out to be a normal beardie. Anyway, I'm strapped for time right now, since I'll get to Petsmart around 5:30-6:00 pm when the reservation ends at 5:00 pm. I'll call when I'm driving there and ask if they can push it a tiny bit. I REALLY want this beardie.If things fall through and I don't get the little guy then I'm just going to wait for a bit. My fiancé wants a leopard gecko so badly and, although I love leos, I really on't want one. I got him a crested gecko and he needs to be happy with the thing! xD So, I'll definitely see how things will go and I'm crossing my fingers and wishing for the best.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[CooperDragon]

A basic lamp dimmer can be found at Home Depot for $12 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Credenza-300-Watt-Plug-In-Lamp-Dimmer-White-TT-300NLH-WH/100145680

 

[Kiara1125]

Thanks for the link, but the nearest home Depot is 1.5 hours away. :shock: I'm trying to find out what works. I guess I can order online and pay shipping,but I'm also wondering if I should wait on it and see if 75w would be fine normally.

 

[Wolfeden]

I have approx. 75W (90W on dimmer) for a 40G breeder tank that's 16" high and I find it gets pretty hot inside when the ambient temps are in the 80's.

So with your smaller tank 40-60W is my guess.