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 #1711515


TwilightRealm
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 Having trouble with basking light temperature

I have a green anole in a 20-gallon tank. I had an infrared light for day and nighttime and that got me 80 F. I changed that out for a daytime-only white light 40w and that got me 75 F... so I put in a 75w and now it’s at 85 F. I want the basking area to be 95-100 F, how can I pull this off without melting something?
04/21/08  05:49pm

 #1711545


Atrax27407
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1711515


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Basking temperature is a function of wattage and distance. If you suspend the light above the basking area, it is easy to adjust the distance. I built form over the top of my 40 gallon and have three regular light bulbs supended from it in 5.5" clamp lamps. The wattage varies depending on the ambient room temperature to maintain 90 degrees at the basking areas. That is usually accomplished by 2 75-watt and 1 60 watt bulbs. There are also two strip fluorescents lights. One is a 5.0 ReptiSun and the other is a GE Daylight (just for illumination).
04/21/08  06:05pm

 #1711566


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 1711545


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Do I need to give it more distance from the cage? Won’t that lessen the temperature? As it is now, it’s a desk lamp that is laying on top of the wire mesh top.


Is it a good distance or do I need to find a way to suspend it and make it higher? Or do I need to get a second lamp? I’m not even sure if there’s room for a second lamp on top of the tank. I have no idea what to do!
04/21/08  06:12pm

 #1711871


Coolguy132435
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1711566


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

also, just wondering what type of thermometer are you using. The liquid crystal ones(small adhesive strip) are pretty inaccurate
04/21/08  09:42pm

 #1711927


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Coolguy132435   In reference to Message Id: 1711871


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Only using the liquid strip one on the regular side of the tank, until the pet store gets in the regular round kind (they usually have them but this time they were sold out). The one used in the basking area is one of the round compass-looking kind. If you look carefully in the picture, to the far right side of the tank, you can just barely see it.
04/21/08  10:41pm

 #1712877


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1711927


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Atrax?

*bump* because I’ve got to turn this into a better anole setup before he becomes ill!
04/22/08  08:48pm

 #1713146


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1712877


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

What are my options toward getting the basking area 10 degrees warmer? As I’ve mentioned, I’ve got a desk lamp with a 75w bulb sitting on the mesh lid on the basking side (as can be seen in the picture above).

Would I get a second lamp and put it between the basking lamp and the UV strip? It’d be more toward the center of the cage, though, so I’m not sure if that’s the best way to combine sources.

Are there types of lamps that can hold more than one light bulb? That sounds like it would be a better solution to this dilemma, because then I could just switch out the desk lamp for that and put in two incandescent light bulbs. I tried googling for a product like this but I’m not coming up with the desired results. If a lamp like this exists, does anyone know what it’s called?

The only other option I can think of is to get a second lamp, in addition to my desk lamp, and angle it downward against the side of the glass. However, this means not as much heat is going to get through the glass, and I risk the plastic lining of the tank melting.

Every day the current basking light is only 85 F and it’s stressing me out; I’ve got to get it 10 degrees higher. If someone, anyone, could help me out, I would highly appreciate it. I just want my anole to live in a healthy happy setting.
04/23/08  03:18am

 #1713263


GApeachMomma
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1713146


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Try an infared bulb on your basking side instead of the regular bulb. Infared bulbs (can get at any petstore) are specifically designed to produce heat.
04/23/08  08:27am

 #1713472


Atrax27407
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   Message To: GApeachMomma   In reference to Message Id: 1713263


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

Project: Lightbar for enclosure
Parts list: two (2) 3" angle irons, 1’ x 2" wood, screws

Cut two pieces of 1 X 2 to length so that they are about 12" longer than the height of the enclosure (these are the uprights) and a third that is slightly longer than the length of the enclosure (this is the stringer) that will fit between the two uprights. Fasten the uprights to each end of the stringer with wood screws. Attach the two angle irons to the uprights facing in toward the enclosure. Slip the angle irons UNDER the enclosure and the weight will hold the lightbar in place. You can now attach clamp lamps to the bar and adjust the distance and bulb wattage until you have the correct temperature at the basking spot. Putting a light directly on the metal screen mesh can cause burns. I use lightbulbs of various wattages depending on the ambient room temperature (cooler in the winter). The range that I have is 60-100 Watts. The usual configuration is three clamp lamps along the lightbar with a 75 Watt on each end and a 60 Watt in the middle. This works fine of my 40 gallon and leaves cooler temperatures near the front of the enclosure since the lightbar is positioned over the rear of the enclosure. Between the light bard and the front of the enclosure are two fluorescent strip lights - one is a ReptiSun 5.0 and the other is a GE Daylight (just for light). Oh yes, I also have a 3.5" computer "muffin" fan suspended from the lightbar to exhaust air from the enclosure for air flow (it eliminates mold). Everything is controlled by a timer.
04/23/08  01:38pm

 #1713753


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 1713472


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

GApeachMomma, I have an infrared bulb but it only reaches a temperature of 80 F during the day. The current 75w incandescent reaches 85 F (still not enough).

Atrax, that sounds extremely complicated (and I have to admit I’m a bit blond in the head). Do you have any pictures of that kind of setup? And is there any other simpler way of getting the temperature more? What about a tall desk lamp and just angle it downward against the glass? Not as much heat would come through but it wouldn’t have to be much, I think, to get it 10 or 15 degrees higher, right?
04/23/08  05:32pm

 #1713764


Anole741
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 1711515


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

I am having this same problem if you get any ideas let me know please
04/23/08  05:37pm

 #1714511


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Anole741   In reference to Message Id: 1713764


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

The project is simple - three pieces of wood cut to length and a couple of angle irons. The whole thing shouldn’t take more than 1/2 an hour to put together.



04/24/08  08:56am

 #1714826


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 1714511


 Having trouble with basking light temperature

I’m more of a picture person, Atrax. If you have a picture of that, I’ll know more what to do.

Today it must be hot outside because the basking area is 90 degrees. While I was thinking about this, an idea hit me--Atrax, what if I use a repti-therm undertank heater and put it on the bottom or on the side of the terrarium for the extra heat?
04/24/08  03:27pm


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