Tile holds heat, and alot of it. Help please

[ajkry2]

I recently switched Sahara to a slate tile substrate, and she loves it. The change didn't even interrupt her eating cycle :mrgreen:

However the accurite digital thermometer with probe that I use to make sure her temps are 100 basking, 90 hotside, and 75-80 cool side is reading 154.4 :shock: and thats after I moved it down two inches from when it was reading 135ish :? As of now the basking spot is about 8 inches away from the 75W flood bulb, and the flood bulb is above a fine metal mesh top.

Do you think my thermometers broken so I should get a new one?
Do you think that I should adjust the basking spot more?

I'm open to suggestions...

 

[slacker13]

8 inches is way too close for basking. Should be 12-15 inches. If your viv is large enough I would suggest angling the light and putting the basking spot 12-15 inches away. Those basking temps can burn your dragon.

 

[GoFast]

i would try changing the batteries in your thermometer. Just changing to tile shouldnt raise the temps by 30-50 degrees.

 

[ajkry2]

Slacker:
The temps were perfect before the switch to tile at that distance. And if I move the basking spot any further away I would start getting diminishing returns from the reptisun 10

I think a change of batteries may be in order, but I checked outdoor temp vs indoor temp and it seemed reasonable. Maybe that would reset it or something. I'll try again

 

[RolandKyramere]

Wow, that's about hot enough to fry an egg! lol, I once made a mistake with my lighting set up and had it up around 134* and had a freak out moment, I was lucky that I had my beardie out. I am confused as to why your slate would make such a difference in heat, though. Maybe as an experiment, put a towel down on top of the basking spot and see what the temp reads.
Good luck!

 

[ajkry2]

I put a towel down on the basking spot, and temp dropped to 103 sahara loves it!

Thanx :mrgreen: