I can't seem to get this right...please helppp

[ETAonTime]

This basking light temperature is really giving me problems. Started off with 150w zoo med bulb. WAYYY TOO HOT. Checked the forum to see what other people used. Bought a 75w Philips outdoor halogen flood light, didn't seem bright enough but at the same time was also way too hot. In like the 120-130 degree range. Ok so I bought a 65w indoor flood light. Seems to top out at about 88-90 degrees. ??...went to petco bought a 75w zoo med..120-130 degrees...ok I got it this time 50w zoo med from petco...110-120 degrees. I don't even know where else to go from here. What else can I do? I've tried lowering the basking spot or making it higher. Cant really change the bulb height because it's fixed on the roof of a pvc enclosure. What can I dooooooooo please someone help me! Haha

 

[Gormagon]

What size is your enclosure? Small tanks are hard to regulate.

 

[ETAonTime]

What size is your enclosure? Small tanks are hard to regulate.

4x2x2

 

[Gormagon]

How well is it vented at the top? I heat the same space with a 75w zoomed basking bulb.

 

[ETAonTime]

How well is it vented at the top? I heat the same space with a 75w zoomed basking bulb.

There's no vents on the top. Theres vents on the side. It's made out of PVC. Here's a picture of it.

 

[Gormagon]

Mine is vented up high on both ends (2/3^) and a 24" x 1 1/2 slot in the center of the top. This allows air to move in a natural motion (covection) and keeps fresh air moving in the viv. At least this is my theory on it.
Being a firefighter for 10 years I learned that heat will build down to the level of escape, which in your case would be about 2" below the basking bulb to the top vent. Everything above that is super heated (no escape).