**Urgent and time sensitive help needed, please**

[SunShine]

Please help, I have a 75 watt halogen spot bulb in a 40 gal tank, the temp gets about 85-90. Obviously it's not warm enough. (we have been running multiple lights to try and keep the temp up) but we had I think a 15 gal tank before so it's taking a lot to get used to the watt size needed for proper basking.
I am going to the store to get a bigger halogen, what do you guys recommend for halogen watt size? I was thinking 90 watt, but I dunno if it will be hot enough or not, I hear some people get 120 watts in 40 gal tanks so I am confused on what to do. Please help. Should I stick with a 90 or go to 100+ and if so, how much more + do I need?

 

[z71]

I use a 100 watt zoo med halogen in a 40g and my temps are around 108 at his top basking spot.

 

[lauraj1055]

You can always get a 100 or 120watt, and purchase a dimmer to be able to control the heat.

 

[diamc]

Make sure that you are using either a digital thermometer with a long wire and probe end or an infrared temperature gun as those are the only 2 ways to get accurate readings. What type are you using and where exactly are you checking the temps?

 

[SunShine]

I have a normal one, I know they can be off by 20 either way so we are trying to get one maybe today. One of those months where everything is going wrong. It says it's 92 most of the time (its on the glass a few inches away from the light) and He feels warm. We have a heater under tank too. I know he isn't getting enough though because his color is not that light and he has some stress marks. he is much creamier in a window or bath. (he loves water though).
Unfortunately when he took him in (given to us because my uncle couldn't care for him) he did not come with ANYTHING. He was in a tank that he could almost stretch nose to tail from. So we got him a 40, then the light fixture wouldn't work so we had to get a new one, and yeah it's a little rough. We are trying it's just taking a bit.
Do not have a reptisun yet, but thats close to the top of the list of things he needs. Been giving him lots of sun to try and help the difference though. We just want to be good beardie slaves.