Temp help for new beardie owner

[venus]

Okay, getting my first beardie on the weekend, so Im setting up the tank and was testing out the temps etc.

Its a 3 x 2 x 2 melamine enclosure with an Istat thermostat.

Already fully wired (heat & fluro) on one cord.

I currently have a Phillips Spotone 100w for the basking spot, but the temp I got with my thermometer was 48 plus when I placed the thermometer on the log under the lamp.

Should I change this to a 75W globe? Or should I move the branch lower down? (Ive added some pics at the bottom so you can see)

Also, what temperature should I have the thermostat set to?
Its currently set to 22, and the cool end is around 21 at beardie head height.

Any other hints/tips on improving the setup much appreciated. (Im getting some tiles for substrate next week, but will have paper in the meantime.

(excuse finger prints on the glass, it will be all cleaned before weekend lol)

[venus]

Anyone?

[Zdogs]

Maybe just lower the branch, see If that helps, I have my thermostat for basking set at 38deg, cool end at low 20deg and warm at about 30, not sure If that's helped at all

[venus]

Thanks Zdogs.

The thermostat is at the cool end, so I should probably set it at 20?


Might just lower the branch, but I did take the temp before at floor temp (under heat lamp) and it was 38, thats why I was thinking I might need a lower wattage globe.

[dragon lady]

Thermostat probe should be at the hot end.... adjusted so that at head height dragon wont go over 38*....
cool end can be 23* during the day

if you put probe at cool end at 20*....it will switch of when hitting 20*......even if hot end is 50*!
hope that makes sense...
heat them up too much & you wont have them too long!

hatchies shouldnt go under 20* at night.... a 3ft habitat may need night heat during winter..
a heat mat works well...set at 23-25* ensures habitat getting too cold.

in 3ft habitats i have used 60w & 75w... spot globes from hardware stores..bout $3

a few extra branches wont hurt

[venus]

Originally Posted by dragon lady

Thermostat probe should be at the hot end.... adjusted so that at head height dragon wont go over 38*....
cool end can be 23* during the day

if you put probe at cool end at 20*....it will switch of when hitting 20*......even if hot end is 50*!
hope that makes sense...
heat them up too much & you wont have them too long!

hatchies shouldnt go under 20* at night.... a 3ft habitat may need night heat during winter..
a heat mat works well...set at 23-25* ensures habitat getting too cold.

in 3ft habitats i have used 60w & 75w... spot globes from hardware stores..bout $3

a few extra branches wont hurt

Thanks for replying.

There is no thermostat probe, its an Istat themostat, so hence me asking what I should set it at.
I have a small basic thermometer to measure the temp under the heat lamp end, and it read 40 plus when I placed it on the branch where the beardie would go, which is why I thought I would do better with a lower wattage globe (I got this one from the supermarket for $4, recommended by a member on here)

I was also advised they wont need heat at night?

I*m getting 2 permanent thermometers for the enclosure tomorrow)

[dragon lady]

good idea.....with thermometers
i get it!....Istat !...sorry!

yep play with branches...heights...also different wattage...

no dont need U.V or basking heat at night ......
but at the same time,if yours hasnt fully grown ...hence ...isnt going into brumation this year...
dont let hatchies or juvis go under 20* or may not wake up!
so depending where you live...im in S.A ...you may need a heat mat to help temps at night...
even inside can get to 5 * here...so can habitats!...
just be careful.....sounds like you already are!

[arbok]

just do test runs its all experimentation!

[venus]

Thats what Im doing, test runs lol

I think I will get a 75W globe, and set up 2 or 3 thermometers,(basking spot, cool end & middle) set the thermostat at 23 and see how I go with the temps, then I can adjust accordingly.

Ive got a timer, so the heats/light will be on for 14 hours a day, but Im in Vic, and it does get cold here at night (darn cold tonight lol) so I may need a heat mat? Or should I get a night heat lamp?

Oh yeah, and another branch, must go back out searching again in the local park lol