be careful with 100w bulbs!

[coastergirl946]

Curt's basking spot wasn't hot enough with a 60w basking bulb, so we used a 100w household bulb instead. We noticed that he wasn't basking.. he was literally pushing his basking stick out of the way and laying on the floor of his viv under the 100w bulb. I moved the stick back one day, and checked the basking temp.. it was an alarming 120 degrees F and the cool side had reached 100!! We changed the bulb to a 75w household bulb and he is more comfortable, is basking now, and is no longer shoving his basking stick out of the way. The temps are now correct at 102 for his basking spot and exactly 80 on the cool side. I realize that such a thing takes trial and error, but I thought I would pass this along.

 

[Beardednoob]

Good information but, what size enclosure are you using? Also when other people attempt and may use a 100watt do to other variables in the household environment.

 

[definitions]

I use a 100 watt and my viv stays perfect. Thanks fo rthe info though.

 

[DragonsNDoodles]

I use a 100w and it was not enough, so I added a ceramic in the cool side and a 100w basking bulb on the hot side as well. Now, the temps stay at 104 and 80.

 

[diamc]

Thanks for sharing that info. One thing I wanted to add is that owners have to make sure they are using accurate thermometers, either a digital thermometer with a long wire and probe end (not a cooking thermometer or human type) or an infrared temperature gun as those are the only 2 ways to get good readings.