Help getting my basking temperature right.

[slayner]

The cool side of my tank is at around 80, which should be fine (right?) however the basking side is only getting a 95 at max, I am using a digital thermometer with the probe, so this should be accurate. I have it all the way at the bottom. My wattage on my basking bulb is a 150 watt bulb (here) http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1961 and my uvb bulb is the reptisun 10.0 (now at this very moment it is on top of the tank over the filter, but I ordered some over the hood brackets to correct that.


Anyway, what can I do to correct the basking temperature? My apartments temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit

 

[KDK241]

Is it a blue bulb or a white bulb? You should use a clear white light bulb (not soft white or frosted). A regular household bulb will work just fine, no need for fancy stuff How big is your tank? 150W bulb should be hot enough, I use 100w regular household bulbs and mine are plenty hot. The easiest way to get the right temp is to raise/lower the basking area if you can. Its amazing what a difference one inch higher or lower can do. If you can't do that then I would get a regular clear light bulb and try that.

 

[stangbanger]

That's plenty hot for ambient temps... Get an infrared so you can check your surface temps

 

[slayner]

Is it a blue bulb or a white bulb? You should use a clear white light bulb (not soft white or frosted). A regular household bulb will work just fine, no need for fancy stuff How big is your tank? 150W bulb should be hot enough, I use 100w regular household bulbs and mine are plenty hot. The easiest way to get the right temp is to raise/lower the basking area if you can. Its amazing what a difference one inch higher or lower can do. If you can't do that then I would get a regular clear light bulb and try that.

Thanks! That did it, I had a blue one, so I got a 75W regular clear household bulb and it was at 103 and rising earlier. I think I may invest in some tiles as well, but right now it's much better!

 

[stangbanger]

how do you know its much better? you cant get accurate surface temps with a probe. probes are for ambient temps.....my ambient temps are in the low 90s on my hot side, and my basking surface temps are about 125-130* .....why would you just guess at your temps instead of actually checking them with the proper tool? you can get an IR thermometer for less than $30 at radioshack

i mean, its your pet, so obviously do what you want.....but for my animals, i wouldnt just be guessing at temps.....youre going to risk cooking your beardie by measuring with only a probe, and this is coming from someone who keeps basking temps 20-30 degrees higher than most people here

 

[KDK241]

You can get surface temps with only a probe. As long as you put the probe directly onto the surface of the basking area and let it sit for at least 45 minutes you can get an accurate reading.

I would definitely go with tiles. I have them in all my desert tanks and wouldn't trade them for anything.

 

[slayner]

That's plenty hot for ambient temps... Get an infrared so you can check your surface temps

I'm sorry I forgot to mention, when I changed bulbs I put the probe on the surface to check.