Ordered a IR gun… but then how to adjust temps?

[Teabug]

After reading about the evils of stick-on thermometers here, I ordered an IR temp gun. But my question is: what if the temp is too low? I have a 40 gallon breeder. The woman I adopted the beardie from gave me a heat lamp (dome fixture with ceramic socket). If the temp is too low, does that mean I need a higher wattage bulb? A different kind of bulb? I guess I am concerned because she's not left her basking spot at all except when it was turned off at night (or when I took her out for her cricket meal), and I'm wondering if it's because she's not getting enough heat. I don't trust the stick-on I have now. Wouldn't there be typically points of the day where she would go to other parts of the enclosure? She hasn't even looked at her greens.

I have both the heat lamp and uvb resting on the wire top. The original owner said that's how she's always had it.

Any advice is appreciated; I'm scared I'm not doing right by her! Thanks.

 

[Claudiusx]

If your temperature is too low (or two high) your best bet is to find another bulb. Different types of bulbs give off different amounts of heat. Two different brands of bulbs with the same wattage might vary greatly in terms of heat output. You will most likely want to buy a few different bulbs until you find which works for you.

-Brandon

 

[Teabug]

Is there a brand you recommend?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Claudiusx]

Not really since everybody has different results with different bulbs based on the fixture they are using, the temps they want, and the temps in their house.

All I will really recommend is trying to find a bulb with a Kelvin temperature over 2900 if you can. Don't go much lower than that. I'd say don't go any lower than that but it is getting increasingly difficult to find bulbs like this. You want a bright white bulb, not a soft white.

-Brandon

 

[Teabug]

Ok thank you!