Hard time getting the right temperature.

[Raicardso]

I don't usually ask so many questions like this, but since its got to do with heating ( probably the most important part of a beardies health) i have to make sure he's getting what he needs.

My boy is about 5 months, and i'm having the absolute hardest time getting the right temperature. At first i started with a 150w zilla light, and that seemed fine for a little bit, but then we decided it was too weak. Then i made the move to a 100w zoo-med lamp and that was wayyyy to hot. Now i'm trying out the 75 zoo med. Couple things, my rock seems to be a really good heat absorber. The problem with that is, If i put my thermometer probe right next to where the beardie is basking ON the rock its about 113F, but when i put it right on top of the beardie while he is basking its only at like 99F. When i say on top i literally mean on top, on his back not touching the rock, its only at like 99F. Is the temperature of the rock more important, or the temperature of when the probe is on his back? I figured on his back because when hes basking the place where his stomach is probably isn't heating up to that higher temperature anyways. What watt lamps are you guys with 40 gallon breeders using? What material are you using for your basking spot? I also have a big branch my boy likes to sit on, but thats not the main focus of his basking spot for now as i dont think it would be as good of a heat absorber as the rock. Is the rock the problem? should i get rid of it? Or am i just being too paranoid?

 

[Raicardso]

Bump. Still need help :/

 

[snazzyglasses]

I'm sure more people will be on to help after everyone gets home from work and finishes dinner and such And I believe the basking surface temp is the one you'll want to be measuring.

In my 40gallon breeder, I have a 75W Zoo-Med basking bulb (it came with the adult dragons we were given), which keeps my basking spot anywhere from 101-107*F depending on the temp of the room. The Zoo-Med is in an 8.5" dome. Since my cool side temps were a bit low once the outside temps dropped, I added a regular 40W household bulb in a 10" dome and it keeps that side right around 80-85, also depending on the temp of the room. There's a ReptiSun 10.0 tube inside the tank but I don't think those affect temps much. During the winter our house is kept at 70*F, if that helps any.

Let's see what else. I'm not sure what exact brand my big guy's basking platform is, but it looks like the Large option of these- http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-504502. Half of the time he basks on there, and the other half of the time he's on his "couch"- a rolled up bath towel sitting right next to his basking spot that gets to about 102*F (The couch is a semi-long story, lol. Crazy dragons :roll. Your temps will need to be a bit higher though since your guy is still young. 105-110 is a good range.

Some people just use a plain old brick or cinderblock for a basking spot, so I don't think dragons are too picky! You could try raising the lamp or raising/lowering his basking spot to help adjust the temps. It's really surprising how much of a difference a couple inches can make

Hope this helps a little, and good luck!!!!

 

[Raicardso]

The hardest time i'm having is with the difference between the rock surface temperature, and the temperature of the heat straight from the bulb to his back while he's basking. if i put the temperature probe right beside him on the rock its around 108-111, if its on his back its around 100. does that make sense? Like i dont know if i should focus on the temperature while the probe is on the rock, or his back. Its kinda difficult for me to say it in a understandable way :/ If the focus is the surface temperature, i may have to get a dimmer. If the focus is the heat from the bulb straight to his back i will have to do a lot of switching around in his cage . I can do it, but it's a hassle.

Any ideas on a good dimmer? If anyone could provide a link that would be great. I thought i remember seeing somewhere around my house that the Zilla 8.5 domes should not be used with a dimmer.( the zilla domes came with the kit i bought a while back. huge mistake, never buy the zilla kit ) I can't find the thing saying the dimmer shouldn't be used with this dome anymore, so i'm thinking i may just be crazy?

if it's not too much to ask, i would like a picture of your 40gallon breeder set up! I would love to see an example.

 

[snazzyglasses]

Sure! A couple of things first lol-
1. Sorry about that obnoxious bright green! :roll: I'm in my sister's old room and she painted it, haha. The piece of cardboard along the back wall is so the color hopefully doesn't hurt his eyes.
2. I know his viv is still a bit sparsely furnished. I keep looking for the "perfect" branch and have yet to find it!
3. I broke his UVB so it's off for now. But usually it's at a bit of an angle, directed towards the basking spot.
4. The "couch": I had a towel in there one day because it was cold the night before and I wrapped him in it. He would not leave that darn towel the next morning, even to bask or eat, so I just rolled it up and squished it next to his basking spot lol.

40W is on the left, 75W basking is on the right

Side view!

 

[Raicardso]

Interesting choice with the towel! And your beardie likes that?
Anyways. back on topic. Any other insights on the heating problem i'm having?

 

[snazzyglasses]

He usually sleeps on the towel actually. Just puts his cute little snout in the corner and stretches out along the towel. I figured it wouldn't hurt to have something a bit soft and squishy in there, and he really seems to like it!

And yep, I'm pretty sure the probe is supposed to be right on the rock. Your little guy's back and the rock probably don't get to the same temperature because he's not sitting there long enough, plus the heat he absorbs will get sent to his insides to keep things workin' in there instead of the heat just staying on his skin. If that makes sense
Dimmers and temps, hmm. Some pet stores sell dimmers but I'm betting they're overpriced and you can get the same thing from Home Depot or another home improvement store! Actually I did a quick search and just found this one- http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/light-fixtures/-/flukers-85-ceramic-clamp-lamp-with-dimmer/ Looks like it's a dimmer and lamp in one. I couldn't find anything about not using a dimmer with the Zilla 8.5", but maybe I didn't look hard enough! I'll go search more in a sec, and post this for now