How do I heat my tank??

[scott89]

I began setting up my tank a few weeks ago for a bearded dragon that I am going to buy in the near future. I've done a lot of research about the ideal conditions of a viv.
On one side, the tank should be around 85 degrees and on the other side there should be a spot that gets near 100 degrees. I have a 36" UVB ReptiSun 10 on one side and then sitting on top of the screen i have a dome fixture with a 100W zoomed heating lamp.
All I did is place it on top of the screen... The fluorescent is placed within the tank velcroed to the wall.

When I turned on the whole setup, the inside of the tank didn't change temperatures at all except for near the heating lamp on the right side. What should I do to get the correct temperatures? Buy more lights? What fixtures/wattage? Where should I place them? How is your tank set up?

IMG00105-20101005-1826 by scott_89, on Flickr

 

[Claudiusx]

. What should I do to get the correct temperatures?

You should throw away those dial thermometers you have in your tank. If there is a Walmart near you, you can pick up a really great digital thermometer for about $12.

You want a digital thermometer with a probe so that you can measure the actual basking spot.
If you are getting a baby beardie, temps should look like this: Cool side, 80-ish. Warm side, 90-ish. Basking spot, 105-110.

There is no way you will ever get an accurate reading of either of those 3 locations with a dial thermometer. They can be off by as much as 20+ degrees. And when you think about it, they are basically. measuring the temperature of the glass and the air around the glass.

Get a digital with a probe, test those 3 areas, and then if your temps are still off we can go from there.

Ps, you might want to get a a log or a rock so that your beardie can have a basking spot closer to the lamp so it can get the right temps.

-Brandon

 

[Rob461]

Just wondering.. how do you expect your babies to get up in that hammock?

 

[Blundy]

Just wondering.. how do you expect your babies to get up in that hammock?

Superman DUH! :lol:

 

[scott89]

lol i prob should have said I'm not done decorating the inside. I'm going to have a few branches that lead up to the hammock for sure and maybe a staircase made from small pieces of tile that I bought lol.

but yes i am fully aware that bearded dragons do not fly.

lol but could someone answer my previous question? I'd like to get some info before i just buy random lights and hope the tank heats up

 

[Claudiusx]

Sorry. I must have clicked the "make my post invisible" option while I was answering your questions.

-Brandon

 

[Blundy]

you can do that?

 

[zack_822]

How Did You Mount Your UV Light Inside The Cage Like That

 

[giffelse]

Yes I would like to know the same thing! :]

 

[Claudiusx]

The fluorescent is placed within the tank velcroed to the wall.