Heating

[Inferno344]

hi, using a 150 watt basking bulb repti sun. but temp only goes to 87. i have a screen on top of my 40 gallon tank which im guessing is making the heat get minimized... is it a dumb idea to cut the top screen thats covering the light open so I can get my full heat? let me know, Thanks!

 

[CooperDragon]

That's a pretty low reading for such a powerful bulb. Are you using the PowerSun Mercury Vapor bulb (160w)? If so, the screen is probably blocking some of the UVB as well. The thing with those is that you have to mount them according to UVB output rather than just heat like you can with a plain basking light. You can cut the screen under it, but those need to be 10-15'' above the basking area. Or is it a ZooMed Repti Basking Spot lamp? Those are just heat and cutting the mesh should help bring more heat into the tank.

 

[Inferno344]

That's a pretty low reading for such a powerful bulb. Are you using the PowerSun Mercury Vapor bulb (160w)? If so, the screen is probably blocking some of the UVB as well. The thing with those is that you have to mount them according to UVB output rather than just heat like you can with a plain basking light. You can cut the screen under it, but those need to be 10-15'' above the basking area. Or is it a ZooMed Repti Basking Spot lamp? Those are just heat and cutting the mesh should help bring more heat into the tank.

yes its a zoo med repti 150 watt basking spot lamp bulb. i have a 100 watt also that i can use if it somehow gets too hot. so cutting the screen for the bulb is a good idea? (making sure lol).. have had my beardie for 4 days and have been trying a lot of things to do it and have gotten down to that idea

 

[CooperDragon]

Ah the Repti Basking Spot lamp. Those are just heat bulbs. It's OK to cut the mesh and adjust the height to get the temps right. If you cut the mesh be careful of sharp edges though. Maybe cover the edges with foil. Alternatively you could try a different basking light and see if that works out any better. Maybe a 90w PAR38 halogen flood light would give you better results.

 

[Inferno344]

Ah the Repti Basking Spot lamp. Those are just heat bulbs. It's OK to cut the mesh and adjust the height to get the temps right. If you cut the mesh be careful of sharp edges though. Maybe cover the edges with foil. Alternatively you could try a different basking light and see if that works out any better. Maybe a 90w PAR38 halogen flood light would give you better results.

ok that sounds good, and that gives the UVA rays needed for it im guessing right? if somehow that light doesn't give enough heat do you have another light reccomendation? Appreciate the help man!

 

[CooperDragon]

It will give a little UVA. Most of the UVA will come from a good UVB light though I believe.