Question about heat

[Karnagia]

I have Rufus in a 40 Breeder currently. I put in a digital thermometer and put the probe on top of the highest basking spot. I noticed the temps weren't nearly high enough (83 degrees) so I've added another bulb and I'm only get temps up to 95 at the very highest. These bulbs are both 100 watt Sun Glo tight beams. I had a few of them so I figured I'd use them until they burn out. One is sitting directly on top of the screen over the basking spot and the other is clipped to the side of the tank pointing down over the basking spot.
They're not brand new so is it possible they're just not putting out as much heat?
I'm just confused as to why I'm using 200 watts and the temps STILL arent high enough.

Any advice?

 

[diamc]

That's good that you have a digital thermometer with a probe. Make sure that the probe is touching (resting on) the basking spot. Then wait about 45 min for the temp to stop rising before you get the final reading. Does the thermometer give dual readings? If so, place the thermometer part way over on the bottom of the cool side and the "out" reading is for the basking & "in" for the cool side. There is no way that you should need 200 watts in only a 40 gallon breeder. Make sure you are waiting long enough before deciding the final temps. You really should only need 1 of those bulbs. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Karnagia]

It doesn't give dual readings. I do have the probe sitting ON the basking spot and am still getting low temp readings. I leave the thermometer on all day. I didn't plan on doing that but I'm going to until I can get the temps right. Maybe I'll just try another bulb - it could be that the bulbs are older.

 

[diamc]

Ok, since it only gives one reading, are you putting the thermometer part outside the tank? How high is the basking spot to the top of the tank right where you have the probe placed? You could try using just one 100 watt household lightbulb and see what you get for a reading.

 

[Karnagia]

No, I have the thermometer suctioned to the inside of the tank. From the basking spot (where the probe is) to the top of the tank is about 7 inches.
I'll have to find a 100 watt bulb but I have a hard time believing it'll make any difference considering that I have 2 100 watt bulbs on it now.
Should the thermometer be outside the tank?

 

[diamc]

I have a 40 gallon breeder with a 60 watt household light bulb. The basking area is a hammock that is 9" to the screen top where the bulb sits. The basking temp is 103. On the cool side I have a 40 watt household lightbulb which gives a temp there of about 80.

When I use the single read digital probe thermometer, I always set it on top of the screen, don't know if that's what others do but it works best for me. When I use the dual thermometer, I set it up the way I explained before.

One thing I just thought of, are you using a deep dome for the Sun Glo bulb? What is the diameter of the lamp holder you're using?

 

[Karnagia]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752571
That's the dome I'm using for both lights.

 

[diamc]

Do you know if it's the 5 1/2" or 8 1/2" dome?

Does the thermometer look anything like either of these? http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-thermometers/511260/zoo-med-digital-terrarium-thermometer.html It's possible that the thermometer is defective and not giving you accurate readings. How does your beardie act in the tank? Does he bask much? I worry about him overheating & getting dehydrated with so much wattage in that sized tank.

 

[Karnagia]

I believe it's the 8 1/2 and I'm using the second (black) Zilla thermometer.

 

[diamc]

I just added a little more info to my post above. Did you try resetting the thermometer by turning off & back on? It is set on farenheit rather than celcius, right? Sorry, just trying to think of everything.

 

[vickson420]

Hello
Just a thought.I know this may sound silly but it has happened before double check you switch and make sure its all the way on F. Many times they are accidentally switched over to celcius or in the middle of the two.

***Sorry Diane I didnt see your last post apparently you covered that

 

[Karnagia]

I just did a conversion on google incase it accidentally was switched to C. 90 degrees C ( 90 is around the highest i can get it to read) is 194 degrees F. There's NO way the tank was that hot.

 

[vickson420]

Did you check the switch?Its unlikely but it is possible trust me scary but possible.

 

[Karnagia]

Did you check the switch?Its unlikely but it is possible trust me scary but possible.

I'm going to check in the morning - Rufus is asleep right now and getting in the tank would wake him up.

 

[vickson420]

One question you dont have one of those hoods where the bulbs are sideways?