Big mistake :-(

[Martyn21]

I have made a huge mistake, I have been saying my temps are right when there not, I have had to change my bulb my basking was spot on and my cool side was ok but hot side was about the same as the cool side !! But I now have a 100W bulb in and my basking spot is 116 and cool end is 81.1 I don't no what els to do I can't aford a thermastat at the moment
I'm trying to sort it but need some advice. My basking spot now is 116 and it's not on a rock or log or anything that's the ground temp ??????

 

[gini]

What kind of thermometer were you using? And what do you have now? That is a bit hot, I would take a light bulb out of a light in my house and try that till you can get to a store for a different basking light. Like a 70watt.

 

[kalipbean]

Well if its 116 on the floor, it will be 125 when you put something in the tank for him to bask on. Try getting a lower wattage bulb. 100watts can be too much on smaller tanks, usually 40 gallon or smaller. I would try a 75 watt or you can get a rheo-stat to control the temps as well. You'll learn what works, as of now i have about 10 basking bulbs..lol. But its good for different times of the year here in NY. Good luck !

 

[Martyn21]

I have a 4 foot by 2 foot Viv and I did have a 75 W bulb it was to cold and my 100w
is just to hot there's nothing I can do. What's a rheo-stat??? And I'm in the uk iow. I have used a 50W 60W 75w and a100W and there to hot or cold grrrrr if I get a thermastat it will cost 60pounds I only get 80 a week :-(

 

[foto69man]

You can also raise the bulb up off the tank slwoly, and find where it should hang at. If your tank is next to the wall it is easier. i have a coat hook that i put unto the wall(temporary) and i have the light hanging so it it gives a nice 102-106 degrees for the basking spot

 

[gini]

Can you raise the basking light up any higher? That may help some...

 

[Martyn21]

I have a Vivarium I can't raise the bulb any more it's as high as it will go. I'm going to try and get a thermastat tomoz BUT I'm not spending 60 pounds on something that's not going to work so do you know what's the best one and the cheapist !!!!

 

[Jasper's Mom]

Are you just using a regular household incandescent bulb? If so, just buy a dimmer from the hardware store. I have a 100w bulb for heat in my 4x2x2, and I use a dimmer to get the temps where I want them.

 

[gini]

I got a zoo med digi with probe from the local pet store for $7 here, but I know you are over sees somewhere. Good luck

 

[Martyn21]

I don't know how to wire it all up.I'll just get a thermastat tomoz and hope I get a good one. How do they work

 

[gini]

They are not hard to work at all. You put the probe where you want to check the temp and give it time to have an accurate temp, 30-45 minutes. That's all. Mine came with instructions and I'm sure the one you get will as well. Relax, it's an easy fix...

 

[Martyn21]

I'm on about a thermostat not a thermometer lol soz I know how to use a thermometer

 

[samjones]

you can pick up a cheap habistat thermostat on ebay for about £25
just plug the power for the light into the socket off of the habistat and plug it in - your ready to go!
most habistats only go up to 92*f so you may have to move the probe further away from the basking spot and keep adjusting the distance until the spot gets to the required temps.
seems like i have explained quite well but i know how to use it so if you need to clarify just ask cos i know that might not make sense!

 

[Martyn21]

It's ok I got a thermastat and a dome protector for the light and the temps are ok ish basking 108 hot side 86 and cool side 76 please say there ok I can't change them again

 

[gini]

I think they sound great now. Finally, eh? :wink: