How far should my basking light be from my beardies?

[Kibbleznbitzz]

I have just bought a new basking light and it's much hotter than my old one. I don't know exactly what it's called but it says Repti basking spot lamp 100 watts. It came in a combo pack with a 5.0 repti-sun uvb light. The fixture came with a clamp but i don't really like it and wanted to set it on the metal mesh, i know that's okay I just don't want to burn my babies. So right now from the mesh to the branch it's about 4 inches. I just want to know exactly how far away you recommend it to be. Idk if it helps or not but it's a 40 gallon terrarium. Thanks!!

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

The basking light should be around 10-12" from your beardie. 4 inches is a bit close :shock:
Are you measuring the temps?
What type thermometer are you using?
What temps are you getting on the basking spot?

 

[Kibbleznbitzz]

The only themometer i have is one of those stick on ones that i know aren't really good, but my mom bought it for me for christmas and i didn't wanna hurt her feelings. It doesn't feel very hot in there, deffinatly doesn't feel like 105. My them. is saying it's 75 but that's like smack dab in the middle of the cage. Will a human themometer give a good reading?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

You can go to Walmart and get one for 12 bucks called Acurite and it has the probe ends to it. Also you can tell mom that you still need another one to measure the other side now! That way you wont hurt her feelings! :wink:

 

[Kibbleznbitzz]

Lol okay thank you i'll ask her for one for my birthday.
And i'll try and get Keri to go with me to wal mart tomorrow, walmart's scary out here plus i don't know where anything is. (I recently moved here x: )

 

[AndyAMP88]

Yeah it more depends on how hot the basking spot gets. When you get the new Temp Gauge, check the hottest spot and then adjust the branches (angle them, etc) until you find a good overall spot. I don't think 10 -12" is necessary, more so depends on the actual heat. And even if you put your hand in and it doesn't feel 105, if you leave it there for a few minutes, it will feel more than 105! Trust me I tried with my own lol

 

[Kibbleznbitzz]

Lol i was thinking 10-12 inches was a little far, but also that 4 inches was a little close. I did leave my hand their for a while. It does get warm but never feels hot. Their branch doesn't angle nor can i make it any shorter. Uhm ... I don't know how to explain it, So here's a picture.

I took it kinda far away so yall can see the light set up i'm using right now.

 

[AndyAMP88]

It looks fine the way it is at the moment. But you said it (the heat bulb) is normally laying flat on top of the screen right? If that is the case it is probably too hot. But if you leave it as is in the picture, I think you're okay. Once you get the temperature device, it'll be easier to adjust. If you lay it flat on the screen, maybe you can hover the bulb not directly over the beardie's perch, but over to the side of it. So the direct beam is not directly on his back, but on the floor. He should still be getting the correct temperatures. By the way, expect people to lecture you on the UVB bulb it appears you are using.. lol Most say it is best to have a ReptiSUN 10.0 fluorescent tube rather than the coil type. But for all I know the coil bulbs are deemed alright now. Either way, very cute Beardie! :mrgreen:

 

[Kibbleznbitzz]

It looks fine the way it is at the moment. But you said it (the heat bulb) is normally laying flat on top of the screen right? If that is the case it is probably too hot. But if you leave it as is in the picture, I think you're okay. Once you get the temperature device, it'll be easier to adjust. If you lay it flat on the screen, maybe you can hover the bulb not directly over the beardie's perch, but over to the side of it. So the direct beam is not directly on his back, but on the floor. He should still be getting the correct temperatures. By the way, expect people to lecture you on the UVB bulb it appears you are using.. lol Most say it is best to have a ReptiSUN 10.0 fluorescent tube rather than the coil type. But for all I know the coil bulbs are deemed alright now. Either way, very cute Beardie! :mrgreen:

Hahaha Aww thanks, He's quite a bit smaller than he's supposed to be (I measured yesterday he's only 14 1/2 inches and 2 years old. My female is 12 1/2 inches and the same age./: but They've grown since i've gotten them ) Yeah the fixture i have right now isn't the best as the bulb sticks out the bottom of it, and it's sooo bright >< I don't have the heat light on the screen I was scared it'd be to close to them. The smaller light i did have on the screen and the HIGHEST my temp read was 80 when i had left the space heater on in my room for HOURS!! (It was horribly hot ><) The only reason i bought the uvb light that i did was because it came in a combo pack with the other light and it also came with calcium dust! (Which i needed all three x: ) Thank's for all of your advice!!