My basking temp reaches up to 121?

[Spikethedragon21]

I have a 20 gallon tank, 100 watt bulb and a exp terra thermometer with probe and th basking area is 8 inches from the light. And the basking area reaches up to 120-125 farenheit

 

[Esther19]

Does your dragon bask at all? Those temps are way too high. For a baby, the max temp is 115, but most prefer 110. A 20 gal. is small for a 100 watt light. Please reduce temps. Give your dragon a bath and offer water orally with a dropper. He is probably dehydrated.

 

[Spikethedragon21]

Would these be a reason way his back is pretty dark? Should i buy a 50 watt bulb or a 75 watt bulb? And will this make him go to his light complextion?

 

[Esther19]

Probably. I would get a 50 and a 75. That way you can experiment, and have different choices for different times of the year. Other ways to adjust temps after getting a lower wattage bulb are raising the bulb, or lowering the basking spot. I can't guarantee he will lighten up. Do make sure he gets hydrated, though.

 

[Spikethedragon21]

If you only had the money for one what would you get?

 

[Sauzo]

Do you have a UVB light? They generally will darken to absorb more heat/uvb and then lighten up when they have reached "critical mass" and then off they run. Harley will start out dark when I take her outside to bask and after about 15-20 mins, she lightens up to a bright red/orange and then off her basking log she goes. Now if his tummy has dark lines/splotches on it, then that might mean he's too hot and not comfortable. Regardless though, 121 degrees is too hot for a beardie. Around 105 is pretty good with some preferring a little hotter or a little cooler. Easiest thing to do is buy a Zoo Med adjustable lamp stand or a lamp dimmer and go that route. I just went with the lamp stand so I can just raise or lower the distance for cold days vs hot days instead of having to have like 3 different wattage bulbs(although I do keep a 60 watt, 100 watt and 150 watt) plus I know some bulbs don't like to be dimmed. My ceramic heater will buzz when I try and use a dimmer on it. Me personally, the room Harley is in stays around mid 70s and she's in a 55 gallon tank and I use a 100 watt about 16 inches from basking spot to bulbs face and that gets it to around 105 degrees.

 

[BotanicalStig]

If you only had the money for one what would you get?

A dimmer switch so you don't have to keep buying light bulbs.

 

[Spikethedragon21]

If you only had the money for one what would you get?

A dimmer switch so you don't have to keep buying light bulbs.

Im using a 50 watt bulb and the temp reaches 95-110 is that fine?

 

[Sauzo]

Should be ok but try and shoot for 100-105. Slightly too hot is ok since he can move when he wants but too cold and he has no choice to get warmer.

 

[Spikethedragon21]

Should be ok but try and shoot for 100-105. Slightly too hot is ok since he can move when he wants but too cold and he has no choice to get warmer.

Well the temp right now is at 109 and its 8 inches away from the light (50 watt) 20 gallon tank

 

[Sauzo]

That should be fine. Just make sure the other end is in the 80s(preferably in the low 80s) so the dragon can cool off if he needs. 20 gallon tanks are sometimes hard to reach that perfect mix of warm and cool since they usually don't have the length needed.