I think, the best way to read temps

[Martyn21]

I'm useing a electric thermometer and I wate until my girl (sandy) basks and I put the temp end on her back (if she stays lol) and get a spot on temp I just don't it an inch from her basking log and it was 114 I thought it was a nice basking temp but just got the temp from her back and it was almost 120 which I think is abit hot so I just moved my light up. All my temps are spot on for now I'm bound to find something wrong with them soon lol

 

[JeffSimpson]

Honestly, I think the best way is to really measure the temp of the basking spot. The one downfall that I see with adjusting the light up and down is that, you are still producing the same amount of heat. Unless you have some vents directly above the basking lamp, that heat is still going to produced and trapped in the enclosure. You could move the light, and the temp will be perfect, but an hour or two (or six) later, you may find the temp has jumped up again. Move it too high, and the temps might be too low (for awhile).

I like the chain idea, simply to make it easier to adjust the distance, but I'm not convinced on using it to be able to control the temps? I could be wrong though. :study:

 

[Buggsy]

I use the same theory, but backwards, i have a basking platform on a runner, it can be moved up or down depending on the weather, My cool end always stays mid-high 70's but i get to adjust the basking temp.

I understand what your saying though. I would be tempted to put a lower watt bulb, and lower it (not so close she burns herself on it though)

Dont get me started on how many bulbs etc i have, different styles, wattages! i could open a light shop, but now i have them all i can play around with the temps alot more!