Help! I am having trouble keeping temps the same.

[Kenzie35]

I have a CHE and a 100 watt heat lamp, a t5 10.0 UVB tube light with hood and a ceramic heat rock. I have to figure out how to get my temps sustained by Monday because I have to work and won't be home to mess with everything. I'm thinking this is why my Mushu got sick and I don't want the same thing to happen to Fritz. If I turn on my A/C to 75, the temps on the basking side drop between 85 and 90. If I turn it off, it spikes above 110 and Fritz starts panting. I can't afford a thermostat until friday. Any ideas are extremely welcome and appreciated.

 

[seandeangelis]

If by "panting" you mean opening his mouth, then 110F is good, he's just regulating his temperature​. As long as the cool side is about 80F or a little cooler, he can go there to cool down.

 

[Kenzie35]

My fear is that it is going above 110. Right now, his warm side is reading 93.4 I'm here today and tomorrow to try to figure it out but I'm worried he will get to hot or cold while I'm gone

 

[seandeangelis]

A little past 110 should be ok as long as he has a cool side, my basking spot gets up to 117 at the warmest spot. You could also try stacking stable wood or something under the basking spot to get it closer to the light with A/C.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Do try to get either a temp gun or a digital probe to measure the temperatures. It really isn't advisable for the temps to go above 110F because being enclosed in a tank, they can quickly overheat.
They are small animals & don't need it over 110 & can suffer from dehydration or heat injury.
If you are questioning the heating, maybe consider turning off the heat emitter until you can get a thermometer.

Tracie

 

[diamc]

Are you using the CHE and heat bulb at the same time? What size is the tank? Did you say that you are using a heat ROCK or did I misunderstand?

It is very important to find out what the temps actually are. What are you using now to check the temps? Where exactly is your thermometer placed in the tank? Digital probe thermometers and temperature guns are quite inexpensive, is there any way you can get one before Friday so you don't have to worry while you're gone?

 

[Kenzie35]

The probe is on the first ledge of his basking spot. Yes, I have a heat rock as well as a 100 watt heat lamp and a CHE and a t5 10.0 uvb tube and hood. It is a 40 gallon 36x16 tank. The cool side is just the hydrometer/thermometer with the hands and it is staying between 77 and 83.

 

[Kenzie35]

Hello,

Do try to get either a temp gun or a digital probe to measure the temperatures. It really isn't advisable for the temps to go above 110F because being enclosed in a tank, they can quickly overheat.
They are small animals & don't need it over 110 & can suffer from dehydration or heat injury.
If you are questioning the heating, maybe consider turning off the heat emitter until you can get a thermometer.

Tracie

I have thermometers in there. I've seen thermostats that will help keep temps in the correct range. I just cant affordable one of those until friday

 

[seandeangelis]

Are you sure you need the che too? It is a smaller tank so just the bulb should be enough for the summer at least. Also, heat rocks are bad news. They can overheat and burn reptiles.