Need help. distance from basking light.

[ctruluck1324]

I have a zoo med 150 watt basking light, hooked up to a dimmer switch so I can adjust the temperature to keep it around 110 degrees on the basking spot. My question is my basking light is positioned about 9 and a half inches above the basking spot. Is this to close? I have tried to do some research on basking spot distances but the answers are all over the place. I Just want to make sure the light is not to close to my dragon.

 

[ctruluck1324]

FYI my cage is a 40gallon

 

[CooperDragon]

The basking light distance relies mainly on heat produced. As long as it's out of reach to prevent burns, it should be OK if you're getting a proper temperature. I prefer to have my basking lights higher up and higher wattage so they produce a wider beam that's easier to bask under evenly. You may want to raise it a few inches to widen the beam. If it costs a few degrees, that's fine. I keep my basking area between about 100-105ish.

 

[Taterbug]

I have a zoo med 150 watt basking light, hooked up to a dimmer switch so I can adjust the temperature to keep it around 110 degrees on the basking spot. My question is my basking light is positioned about 9 and a half inches above the basking spot. Is this to close? I have tried to do some research on basking spot distances but the answers are all over the place. I Just want to make sure the light is not to close to my dragon.

You want your bulb far enough away so that it gives an even hot spot at least as big as the dragon. The only accurate way to measure this is with an IR gun. A lamp too close may create hot spots or too small of a basking zone - if the 110 area is as big as your dragon then that's fine, if not you run the risk of underheating or burns.

In my opinion....The further you can get it the better because who wants to live very close to a light bulb anyway?