Temperatures not high enough, tips anyone?

[dvoratexn]

Hello, I'm new to the bearded dragon community. So far from what i've researched on this website, you all seem to be extremely helpful in aiding people with their beardies, keep it up!

Alright, here's my current situation. My name's Dan, I have a baby bearded dragon named Axel (we think he's a boy, hard to tell...5-6 weeks of age approximately, measured 6 1/10 inches today from nose to tail tip), just picked him up last week. Before making my purchase I did many hours of research on this site as well as all over the internet on caresheets, equipment recommendations etc. To start off, here's my current setup:

Zilla 40 gallon long breeder tank
Repti-glo 10.0 UVB 18" bulb (Have a reptisun 10.0 on the way)
Zoo Med 100w Basking bulb in a 150w fluker's lamp.
Reptile Carpet

I was using analog stick-on thermometers, and just got my zilla digital hydrometer/thermometer in today. I wanted to wait to address this issue further until I received my new thermometer to ensure accurate temperature readings. My main concern is that the current temperature on the warm side of the cage as well as at the basking spot is not warm enough. The hot side sits at about a steady 88 degrees, with the tank's average humidity sitting at around 34%. I wanted to ask some advice on how to raise this temperature to the proper 100-110 degrees, I've heard of a few ways.

My options are currently buying a ceramic heat emitter, buying an exo terra heatwave under-tank heater, or simply upping the wattage of the basking lamp. I was also told I could craft a divider in the cage, making the temperature rise that way as well. However I don't feel crafting a divider at this point would be worth it, seeing as after I remove it the temperatures would go back down.

My concern is that Axel's appetite is low, and I'm positive its due to low temps not aiding him with proper digestion. He's eating about 15-20 crickets per day, where I hear they can eat much more. He's doing fine right now, he does seem a bit on the less motivational side. I definitely need to address this issue and correct it soon, I want him to be as healthy as possible. Could anyone that has experienced this problem offer any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[EmJagsz]

I would start with the more simple fix, which would try using a higher watt bulb. But before you do that, are you placing the probe of the thermometer directly under the light where he basks? You can also try elevating his basking spot so he's closer to the light. Generally they are supposed to be able to get within 7 inches of the light. And regarding the reptiglo, turn it off until you get the reptisun. They are bad lights!

 

[dvoratexn]

I would start with the more simple fix, which would try using a higher watt bulb. But before you do that, are you placing the probe of the thermometer directly under the light where he basks? You can also try elevating his basking spot so he's closer to the light. Generally they are supposed to be able to get within 7 inches of the light. And regarding the reptiglo, turn it off until you get the reptisun. They are bad lights!

Yes the thermometer probe is in the correct place. I think I might have written my post informatively...I'm not really looking to attempt trial and error, the idea of this post mainly is to hear from people who have already used some or all of these things in this kind of heating situation, and hear what worked out best for them when they were attempting to move up from an 88ish degree temperature in a tank similar to mine. I've already blown over 550 dollars on my setup, I can't really afford to try a bunch of different methods to see what works, i'd rather just hear from personal experiences on here what would work the best to up the temperature 20 degrees.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Raise the basking spot and use a higher watt bulb. 2 cheap fixes.

 

[EmJagsz]

Yes the thermometer probe is in the correct place. I think I might have written my post informatively...I'm not really looking to attempt trial and error, the idea of this post mainly is to hear from people who have already used some or all of these things in this kind of heating situation, and hear what worked out best for them when they were attempting to move up from an 88ish degree temperature in a tank similar to mine. I've already blown over 550 dollars on my setup, I can't really afford to try a bunch of different methods to see what works, i'd rather just hear from personal experiences on here what would work the best to up the temperature 20 degrees.

I love how you can just assume I don't have any personal experience with any of this.
No matter how much you 'blew' on the setup, there is always the need for trial and error. What someone else used and worked may not work for you because you know, your house may not be the exact as other peoples'.
Don't ask for help if anyone who replies apparently has no experience.

 

[dvoratexn]

Yes the thermometer probe is in the correct place. I think I might have written my post informatively...I'm not really looking to attempt trial and error, the idea of this post mainly is to hear from people who have already used some or all of these things in this kind of heating situation, and hear what worked out best for them when they were attempting to move up from an 88ish degree temperature in a tank similar to mine. I've already blown over 550 dollars on my setup, I can't really afford to try a bunch of different methods to see what works, i'd rather just hear from personal experiences on here what would work the best to up the temperature 20 degrees.

I love how you can just assume I don't have any personal experience with any of this.
No matter how much you 'blew' on the setup, there is always the need for trial and error. What someone else used and worked may not work for you because you know, your house may not be the exact as other peoples'.
Don't ask for help if anyone who replies apparently has no experience.

I never said you had no experience, so don't say that. I said personal experiences, with an S. Meaning I'm looking for opinions of multiple experiences with different heating methods....opinions on what temperature increases different methods can accomplish. Not just one method that might not work, and me having to pay for it in the end (my store doesn't return bulbs). Thats what I meant by trial and error.

 

[dvoratexn]

Yes the thermometer probe is in the correct place. I think I might have written my post informatively...I'm not really looking to attempt trial and error, the idea of this post mainly is to hear from people who have already used some or all of these things in this kind of heating situation, and hear what worked out best for them when they were attempting to move up from an 88ish degree temperature in a tank similar to mine. I've already blown over 550 dollars on my setup, I can't really afford to try a bunch of different methods to see what works, i'd rather just hear from personal experiences on here what would work the best to up the temperature 20 degrees.

I love how you can just assume I don't have any personal experience with any of this.
No matter how much you 'blew' on the setup, there is always the need for trial and error. What someone else used and worked may not work for you because you know, your house may not be the exact as other peoples'.
Don't ask for help if anyone who replies apparently has no experience.

But regardless, I appreciate your feedback and suggestion, thanks.

 

[bkimura]

Hi Dan,
While using a Zoo Med 100W basking bulb in my 40-gallon breeder tank,
I discovered that I needed to be approximately 10" from the basking spot
in order to achieve the desired temperature. (100-105F) Prior to raising my
basking location, I had experimented with a 150W basking mode which did the
trick, but I had to raise my lamp stand significantly higher. I then decided
rather than wasting unnecessary electricity, I'd revert back to the 100W bulb
and raise the basking location. I too was using the Reptisun 10.0 bulb so
raising the basking location was a double win. (I achieved the desired basking
temperature AND got my basking location within 8" from the Reptisun bulb)
My recommendation is to raise your basking location to within 10" from the bulb
as a starting point, measure the temp, and then adjust up/down from there.
BTW, I use a 100W CHE heater at the other end of my tank which I turn on at
night to prevent the temps from getting too low. Best of luck with your setup
and your new Dragon.

Cheers,
- Bill