Basking Material

[Jkp76]

Hi,

My first post here; currently setting up my new Vivarium in order for to house my new Beardie.

I’m currently in question about the material I want to use for a basking site, my bulb, Exo Terra 100w Intense is recommended to be of 30cm from the reptile, so I placed my existing slate piece at this distance and let it warm up. Upon testing with IR gun, it seemed to get a little too hot, so I have now tried a sandstone slab, which now isn’t typically reaching above 36c.

Is it important that the basking spot material surface reaches the 38-42c area, does the reptile use the material for energy, or is it just important that they acquire the sufficient radiation/heat from above, meaning it wouldn’t be too problematic if the basking material in question doesn’t achieve a 38c+.

I am using a Jungle Dawn Arcadia 22w in conjunction with a T5 14% 24w UVB, with the bulb setup parallel. I want this Vivarium to be spot on. Please be aware the photo doesn’t currently show the t5, as it’s under construction but I have all materials and have siliconed enclosure etc, just taking it step by step.

I appreciate any help.

 

[Claudiusx]

slate piece

IR gun

That right there is your problem.

Most IR guns won't measure slate accurately because it's emissivity range is outside of the "average" range for most items. If your IR gun has an adjustable emissivity setting, you can adjust it to match that of slate, to get an accurate result, but it will be inaccurate on other surfaces.

Use a digital with wired probe end thermometer, let it rest on the basking surface for 10 minutes. That will be your true reading. The above is why I never make the recommendation for IR guns for this hobby, not unless you also have a digital with probe end to compare to.

-Brandon

 

[Sue E.]

The piece itself needs to reach the optimal temp (measured with a digital probe, as Brandon said) in order to facilitate digestion, not just warmth on the beardie's back. If the probe doesnt show the optimal temp being reached on your basking piece, it may be as simple as raising the height of your basking piece so that the temp will raise into the optimal zone. You may have to do a little trial and error moving things around to get your surface where it needs to be. Petsmart sells a good digital probe thermometer for cheap..its yellow in color and I think (dont quote me) that the brand is zoomed. Leave the probe in direct contact on the basking surface for around 40 minutes to allow the probe to measure accurately..the readings raise slowly.

 

[Jkp76]

That right there is your problem.

Most IR guns won't measure slate accurately because it's emissivity range is outside of the "average" range for most items. If your IR gun has an adjustable emissivity setting, you can adjust it to match that of slate, to get an accurate result, but it will be inaccurate on other surfaces.

Use a digital with wired probe end thermometer, let it rest on the basking surface for 10 minutes. That will be your true reading. The above is why I never make the recommendation for IR guns for this hobby, not unless you also have a digital with probe end to compare to.

-Brandon

Thanks for response. So use a probe thermometer and that will ensure a better reading than the IR gun for this material?

 

[Claudiusx]

Correct. That will be your true temperature.

-Brandon

 

[Jkp76]

Correct. That will be your true temperature.

-Brandon

 

[Jkp76]

Thank you, I’ve popped this probe here now and will generate the temperature now.

 

[Claudiusx]

Great. Give it 10-15 minutes to warm up before accepting the reading

-Brandon