Basking Spot Issues

[digitalpunk]

So for some reason my guy is not basking in his spot. I have a digital probe that says the temp is around 99-100 in most cases but dude will not get under the light. Instead he chooses to stay under a night light that's only 50W dark light. Could my probe be off and its just too hot for him? He's around 10" long not sure how old as I've only had him for a few months. The basking light is 100W and I also have a 24" reptisun inside the tank.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Your basking light, the 100 watt, is it a bright white light or a colored light? Is it placed beside the tube UVB light also?
Where did you place the probe to measure the temperatures?

It could be reading incorrectly, that does happen. Maybe try getting a temp gun to double check the temperatures for him. What sized tank is he in?

Tracie

 

[digitalpunk]

It's a white light and yes it's placed closed to the UV bulb.The probe is as close to his basking spot and the light as it can get. His tank is 36×18×12. The UV bulb is fluorescent not the compact I've read bad things about those so I wasn't sure if they are entirely safe.I've got a temp gun on the way to try and get a better reading.

 

[wes]

I'm not sure what you mean by the probe being "as close to his basking spot and the light as it can get," but you want to measure right in the spot where he could bask. You can tape it with painter's tape if needed.

What's the temp under the night light?

What type of bulb is used for the basking light and how far away from the basking spot is it? 100W type A incandescent is a lot different than a 100W par 38 halogen flood.

 

[digitalpunk]

What I meant was I don't know how I can get the temperature probe any oder to his basking spot. Temp under the night light is around 80 but that's from an stick on thermometer I know it's off. It's a 150w halogen bulb thats made by zoo med. It sits on the top maybe about 4 inches away the spot.

 

[wes]

There's a typo and I'm not sure what you meant. Maybe your digital thermometer is different than what I'm thinking you have.

I can guarantee you that 4 inches from a 150 W halogen bulb will be way too hot.

 

[diamc]

Hi, having the 150 watt halogen bulb only 4" from the basking spot is too close and is dangerous, it should be a minimum of 6" away from the basking spot.

Does your digital thermometer have a long wire & probe end? If it does, you need to find out the basking SURFACE temp so what you need to do is place the probe end right on (touching) the basking spot and then wait 45 min to an hr for the temp to stop rising before getting the final reading.

It does sound like he is too hot since he is avoiding the basking spot entirely. With that size tank you shouldn't need to use the night light at all.

Can you post a picture of him in his tank so we can see the setup?

 

[digitalpunk]

The probe is on the back wall next to his log. I purchased a smaller buld as well and he seems to like it much better.


free upload


imag

 

[wes]

Impressive looking setup!

I can see wires, maybe from the probe, but I don't see the probe. Is the probe embedded in the background? Can you remove the probe temporarily and put it on that basking log (and close the screen top)? You just need it there to get the temps/correct size bulb right.

You can pick up a plug in dimmer for $12 at Home Depot if you need to lower the temps just a little. I think he would prefer to bask at the top of that basking log if the temps were right.

That's a nice basking log because if you position it right, he has several different levels to bask at. He'll go to the best spot based changes in the ambient temperature and on his internal temperature.

 

[diamc]

That's a very nice looking setup. Happy to hear that he likes it better.

Does your digital thermometer have a long wire & probe end? If it does, you need to find out the basking SURFACE temp so what you need to do is place the probe end right on (touching) the basking spot and then wait 45 min to an hr for the temp to stop rising before getting the final reading. After you do that, it would be a good idea to place the probe right where he is laying in the picture, wait the required time so that you will know what temp he feels comfortable in right now.