Unsafe basking surface temp? Help!

[TheLastBaron]

I've been using an infrared thermometer ("gun") to measure surface temps. On the clay platform I have for Rincewind, I've measured surface temps up to 130F*. I'm concerned about belly burns; the rock feels hot to my wrists, but it doesn't burn (though it is pretty hot). I want to make sure I'm not going to cook my dragon.

I'm currently using a 75w Zoo Med basking bulb that is about 8" from the basking surface, and through a screen. Would a lower wattage be safer? It's difficult to get even this small enclosure (20l tank, 12x30x12) regulated, as his cool side sometimes reads 68* even with the lights on.

 

[Mavrick813]

Way too high, lower wattage, increase distance, or get a dimmer switch and dial it back.

Mike

 

[Claudiusx]

Yes 130 is much too hot.

You want a basking surface temperature of around 105.

-Brandon

 

[ShannyBeard]

I've been using an infrared thermometer ("gun") to measure surface temps. On the clay platform I have for Rincewind, I've measured surface temps up to 130F*. I'm concerned about belly burns; the rock feels hot to my wrists, but it doesn't burn (though it is pretty hot). I want to make sure I'm not going to cook my dragon.

I'm currently using a 75w Zoo Med basking bulb that is about 8" from the basking surface, and through a screen. Would a lower wattage be safer? It's difficult to get even this small enclosure (20l tank, 12x30x12) regulated, as his cool side sometimes reads 68* even with the lights on.

Rather than going through the frustration of buying different bulbs only to have one too hot and one too cold, I would get a dimmer. You can get them at a hardware/home improvement store. I have dimmers on my 100 watt bulbs that I have on my 40 gallon breeders. 75 watt is too cool, and 100 watt is too hot. Getting temps correct is a game of patience. :? (I'm not always patient, according to my husband, but the dimmers have helped me with the frustration).

Just a normal $10 lamp dimmer will be fine. This is the one I use on all my beardies and my skink.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dimmer&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15924537572842088377&sa=X&ei=Z8RLT4CnJ6HnsQK87-3qCA&ved=0CF8Q8gIwBA

 

[TheLastBaron]

Dimmer sounds like the best idea. Is it common for temps to fluctuate like this? I've measured it a few times this week, and some days I've got great basking temp, other days it spikes like this. I'm confused and obviously would rather err on the side of caution and have him be a little cooler than too hot. He has a heat pad (under the glass and a layer of tile), so maybe cutting back on the lamp a bit is okay since there's some radiant heat. I know heating pads have their own issues, so far, no problems since it's so well-insulated, it mainly just keeps the tile slightly above room temperature and is a warm place to sleep in the evening. I also put down a tank-top undershirt as bedding. (I'm REALLY trying not to cook my dragon for sure.)

 

[TheLastBaron]

Shanny, thanks for the tip. I picked up that exact dimmer today and it's working like a charm.

 

[ShannyBeard]

Oh I'm so glad. We swear by them.