tank help thabks

[Godzilla82]

I'm have XIMG]79983 5918237069[/XIMG]

I'm a new dragon owner and l we learning as I go.
The first pics is how I have it set up now with a log too brick caves with a wood platform on top.
Im having alot of problems with heat. I'm going to be building a new cage soon. Do I have to much in the take now or too many basking spots? He also does not drink water and have a hard time getting him to eat his vegs. When have only had him 3 weeks been having problems with light and temps. I have to mess the heat all the time i dont want to keep atressing him out.. thanks

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How many basking spots does he have? How large is the tank?
Really, one primary basking area with a cooler end too. Though, you can always offer a reduced heat/lighted area in another place in the tank if he doesn't want to be so hot. Ideally, the UVB only need to cover 2/3rds of the tank.
What are you using as your thermometer to measure the temperatures?
What is his approximate age, he is a real cutie!
It may take him some time to eat his greens, just keep offering them. Use mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, or arugula are all good.

Tracie

 

[Taterbug]

Is the crossfire a good one to build? I see alot of people using it. I'm new to this so bare with me and all the? I just want to make my Godzilla Happy and warm . He has been stress out for 3 weeks now. But Love to be held and cuddly lol. I thought about just getting a 40gal for now but don't won't to waste money but he can't stay in What he's in now it's just not working my cooler side is down in the 70 with my basking. Anywhere from 95 to 110 . He like to lay at different Ares on the log does he need light on all of the log the heat is good but the light doesn't get on him when he lays a different places

Hi there, I figured I should post here in your thread

I like the crossfire cage, it's easy to build and works quite well. Depending on what you make it out of its inexpencive compared to say, a pvc cage. My biggest complaint is that the heat bulb can take up a bit of space, but it's not a deal breaker.

As Tracie asked, how are you measuring temps? That little dial guage can be misleading, it's only measuring the air temps at the wall and can be inaccurate even at that.

I'm not quite sure what you are asking so I'll summarize what I would suggest. The basking zone (the warmest area) should be at least as big as your dragon (bigger is possible) from there it should taper off to the cool side. Most enclosures can do this with one or two lights, though what bulb exactly tends to be different for different people/enclosures. Larger enclosures can use more basking areas, but even in the crossfire, one usually works out best. This is also where the uvb should be focused too.

Dragons don't spend all day basking - they bask to warm up enough then go back and forth between warm and cool areas as they feel like it. If they cool down too far, they bask some more.

What UVB and heat bulbs are you using?

 

[Godzilla82]

The tank is about a 40gal size. Not sure about 3 I'm guess. I guess we are the 3rd owner didn't don't that. I using a zoo Med probe and a probe acu rite. I was putting the probe on the log that he's blasking on and on the floor of the cold side. My friend said to put the probe in the air by the basking zone and up a little from the wall on the cooler side. I'm useing a 10.0 24" reptisun tube just got it cause he did not cone with one. I'm also using a 125w powersun heat bulb and a reptisun 100w red bulb. I have to use the red bulb at night and That's What he came with. I think I have the air temp tphot on the hot side and too cold on the cold side. I have to run both the heat lamps on the hot side just to keep the cold side air temps at 78.

 

[Godzilla82]

Where are you guys from? I'm from Seattle was USA. It also says my humidity is 54%

 

[Godzilla82]

Do you guys have Google + and hangout? Maybe you could do a video call?

 

[Taterbug]

Is that a CHE on the top in that one picture?

Is your room quite cool? If so, I guess whatever it take to keep it warm, as long as you are sure your thermometers are accurate. Could you put one lamp with a lower wattage bulb on the cool side? Upper 80s-90s is good for warm side air temps. 75-85 for the cool side. You can try blocking some of the screen to trap more heat.

I'm in Ohio, my enclosures are actually on the dry side this time of year.

 

[Godzilla82]

That was a 100che I took it back cause it didn't do anything to help. How should I be measuring the temps to make sure I have the right temp. Do I go by air temp on surface? For both the hot side and cold side? Thanks Sorry for all the? It's freaking me out I don't waby to kill him and my wife is about to kill me cause this has been going on for 3 weeks me and Godzilla are about to get the boot.

 

[Taterbug]

That was a 100che I took it back cause it didn't do anything to help. How should I be measuring the temps to make sure I have the right temp. Do I go by air temp on surface? For both the hot side and cold side? Thanks Sorry for all the? It's freaking me out I don't waby to kill him and my wife is about to kill me cause this has been going on for 3 weeks me and Godzilla are about to get the boot.

Oh dear! Hopefully we can get you sorted.

The way I take temps...
I have an IR thermometer for surface temps but a probe works too. Leave the probe in place on the basking area for 45 mins or so to be sure it equalizes for a more accurate reading. Once it stops going up or down, basically.
For the air temp, I use weather stations but the probe will work too, just give it time like above.

It just occurred to me that he is by a window, is the window drafty by any chance?

 

[Godzilla82]

Right now the air temp on the cold side where the probe is it's saying 78 I don't know why the pics is sideways lol

 

[Godzilla82]

Don't feel a draft from window.

 

[Godzilla82]

So does it matter What my air temps are on the hit side? So I want to take temps of his basking spot and not the air?

 

[CooperDragon]

The probe you're using should be fairly accurate. Give it 30-40ish minutes to get a good reading, but 78 on the cool side is right around where you want to be. Once you have a solid reading there, move the probe onto the basking surface (you can tape it if you want) and leave it there for a while to get a good reading.

 

[Godzilla82]

Why don't you take the air temp by the basking. And why do you have to take surface temps of the basking spot ?


So I take it's fine to do air temps to determine the cold side?

 

[CooperDragon]

I like to take surface temps of everything because that's what your dragon is in contact with. Since material can absorb (and deflect) heat, what you read on the surface may not be close to the air temperature. Think of a sidewalk or beach sand on a really hot day for example. The surface is much hotter than the air around it.