Best UVB set up

[dracospike]

Right now it is showing 89 degrees but I am not sure how accurate the thermometer is because the cool side is saying 83 degrees. Here is a pic of his Viv and the thermometer I am using. One on cool one on hot.

 

[Claudiusx]

You should place the prob directly on the basking surface where he sits, and leave it there for at least 45 minutes to get an accurate reading.
It sounds like its too cold at your basking site, which is why he is spending all his time there. Those thermometers can be off, but usually not by anymore than a few degrees. I would try a different bulb and see if it heats things up anymore.

-Brandon

 

[dracospike]

I currently have a 100W basking bulb in the fixture. Should I go up to the 150W basking? I also have a CHE. The below pic shows my current light set up. From Left to right it is Basking , UVB and CHE.

 

[dracospike]

Well I moved the probe on to the actual spot he sits and after about 20 minutes it is showing 99 degrees. A little better than what it was. It is my son's bed time now though so I had to shut the lights off for the night. Will have to check tomorrow after the light has been on for a while.

 

[Historybuff1536]

Here is how I have my two set up with UVB.

I got a T8 24" fixture from wal mart; it's 9 bucks. Then I mounted it with command strips. Some people mount the hooks and put the fixture on it. But I bought just the command strips that hold twelve pounds. They have these finger like things that lock into place with each other. I put the three strips on the tank and lined it up with three on the fixture. And pressed into place. Its very secure.

 

[dracospike]

Thanks for the pic! I am a very visual person so that helps a ton. Looks like tomorrow I will be running to get a fixture at Wal-Mart! Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[dracospike]

Actually have another question. Are those tiles on the bottom? What size did you buy. I ended up using 8x8 but hate all the cracks. I really wanted to use 16x16 but they were special order. That will be my next upgrade. Then I would love to build him a second level for half of his tank. We will see if I ever actually do it. These little things sure can get expensive!

 

[Historybuff1536]

Actually have another question. Are those tiles on the bottom? What size did you buy. I ended up using 8x8 but hate all the cracks. I really wanted to use 16x16 but they were special order. That will be my next upgrade. Then I would love to build him a second level for half of his tank. We will see if I ever actually do it. These little things sure can get expensive!

Yes they are. Both of my enclosures have them. I went to Home Depot; they have every tile size you could want. And I bought a tile cutter and cut them myself.

 

[Historybuff1536]

I think I got 16x16 for that one. And I got 12x12 for my other one.