Weird question about Temperatures.

[Raicardso]

So i read a comment on this site earlier that got me thinking about something. I know what *I* mean when i ask the question, but i feel like it's hard to explain what i mean, so i'll try my best.

Right now i use a 150w Zilla basking bulb( changing that soon) And i had recently gotten a custom made rock that absorbs heat well from the reptile expo in dallas not long ago. I have a thermometer with a probe to measure temps.The zilla bulb before i got the rock would only get his basking spot up to 100F max. Now with the rock it get's it up to around 103-110, *WITH THE PROBE ON THE ROCK*. But when i hang the probe higher off the rock the temperature reads about 98. So, my question is, Does the temperature straight from the bulb onto the top of his body matter more than the temperature on the rock to the bottom of his body? If the temperature from uptop matters more than i would need a stronger bulb and probably have to get rid of the rock. With a zoo med 100w basking bulb the rock got up too 120f so i switched back to the zilla for a little bit.

I Know the question may be a little confusing, and sorry for the big wall of text. I just tried to provide the best amount of information possible.

 

[Catalyst]

As far as I know and have read, measuring the temp with the probe sitting on the rock is the correct way of doing it. I wouldn't worry that it's a couple of degrees cooler moved farther above the rock - your dragon will absorb the heat being reflected/held by the rock as well as that coming down from over his head.

 

[Raicardso]

As far as I know and have read, measuring the temp with the probe sitting on the rock is the correct way of doing it. I wouldn't worry that it's a couple of degrees cooler moved farther above the rock - your dragon will absorb the heat being reflected/held by the rock as well as that coming down from over his head.

I just didn't know if its more important for the heat to be on his belly or his back

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

This is an excellent question that I would really like to know the answer to as well. The highest available basking point in my tanks (wooden branches) only get to about 95 degrees, but my dragons actually bask on rocks which are a few inches lower than that with a surface temp of 105-110 degrees. With a dragon actually sitting on top of the rock all day, I doubt it actually absorbs as much heat. So which one matters more? Basking surface temperature or air temperature directly above the basking surface?

 

[Raicardso]

This is an excellent question that I would really like to know the answer to as well. The highest available basking point in my tanks (wooden branches) only get to about 95 degrees, but my dragons actually bask on rocks which are a few inches lower than that with a surface temp of 105-110 degrees. With a dragon actually sitting on top of the rock all day, I doubt it actually absorbs as much heat. So which one matters more? Basking surface temperature or air temperature directly above the basking surface?

AH yes, you explained the question better than i did

 

[Catalyst]

The recommendations for measuring the temperature at the basking spot for your tank are to either use a thermometer with a probe sitting on the basking spot, or to use a temperature gun (can't recall if that's the technical name for it ) which measures the temperature on the basking surface. Since this is what everyone here goes by, I think it's safe to assume that the number that matters more is the basking surface temperature.

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

The recommendations for measuring the temperature at the basking spot for your tank are to either use a thermometer with a probe sitting on the basking spot, or to use a temperature gun (can't recall if that's the technical name for it ) which measures the temperature on the basking surface. Since this is what everyone here goes by, I think it's safe to assume that the number that matters more is the basking surface temperature.

I know that's the general consensus around here... but does it really make sense? I mean, you could have two tanks the exact same size, made of the exact same materials, with the exact same lighting, and the exact same ambient temps with basking points at the exact same heights - but if one of those basking spots is made of wood then the surface temperature could be 10-15 degrees lower than a basking spot made of a more heat-absorbent material like rock or tile. As long as the exact same substrate was used, then the floor temperature gradient of the hot side & cool side would be exactly the same in both tanks as well. Then you have to take into consideration that with a beardie actually on top of the basking surface, then no matter what material it's made of, it's not going to absorb near as much heat because something (beardie) is covering it up.

I value everyone's input & I'm really not trying to argue or anything, I think it's something we should definitely look into clarifying as a community... being that temps are so important to beardie care, and proper basking temps are especially important for adequate digestion. You could change nothing but the material your basking spot is made of and your "basking surface" could potentially go from 105 degrees (good... but does it stay that hot with a beardie on top?) to 90-95 degrees (not good if even barely ok for digestion). It seems as if we would need a way to measure the air temperature right above the basking surface. Any more thoughts...?

 

[Raicardso]

I value everyone's input & I'm really not trying to argue or anything, I think it's something we should definitely look into clarifying as a community... being that temps are so important to beardie care, and proper basking temps are especially important for adequate digestion. You could change nothing but the material your basking spot is made of and your "basking surface" could potentially go from 105 degrees (good... but does it stay that hot with a beardie on top?) to 90-95 degrees (not good if even barely ok for digestion). It seems as if we would need a way to measure the air temperature right above the basking surface. Any more thoughts...?

I wish there was a way to get this thread out there a little bit more

 

[Raicardso]

No other opinions?