Hello everyone,
I understand how to take the temperature at the basking location, but when
people are referring to temps at the warm or cool end, where specifically
should these temps be taken? (i.e., couple inches in and up at each end, 1/2
way up the tank, etc.) Right now I'm using a 150W basking bulb on one end,
approximately 13" above the basking site on an adjustable stand, and the temp
is around 110. (I may adjust a little higher to bring the temp down to 105)
At the other end, I'm using a 150W CHE bulb about 5" above the screen also
on an adjustable stand, and I only use this bulb at night. The tank is 40 gallons,
36"L x 18"W x 16"H. Right now with just the CHE on, the temp is around 73
at a location about 2" up from the bottom and 2" in. (far cool corner) My dragon
is around 4 months old. Do these temps and configuration sound acceptable?
There is a couple of ways to go with this. First the temp on the warm side should be 90-100 or 95-105. For the cool side there should be a 10-15 degree difference from the warm side to cool side. So that would put it around 75-80. It be better to have it around 80. Now this is a opinion, but I have on the warm side a log elevated to get closer to the heat lamp. Most of the time, he hides under the log to cool down. I recommended that because it can be hard to control both sides of the tank in the correct temp for a 40 gallon tank. One last thing and I have no idea why this came to mind, but keep your food on the cool side so it does not spoil as fast.