Enclosure heating problem?

[redella]

I'm having a slight problem with my enclosure. Can someone help? My bearded dragon tank hasn't been getting as warm as it needs to recently. It's getting stuck between 85 and 90 degrees, and won't get warmer. I have a staggering 250W ceramic heat lamp on the basking spot, and it still won't get warmer. Does anyone know the problem here? I tried switching the port, switching to higher powered lamp/bulb (i started at 200W before moving, and don't worry, I have a thermostat system to keep from overheating). Thankfully, it's winter at the time of posting, so it (hopefully) isn't terribly detrimental to my beardie's health. Her tank is only a 40 gallon, which I know it's a bit small, but I'm in a small apartment with limited space. I try to let her out once in awhile so she can run around freely. I get the feeling it's a power issue, but I'm not an engineer. I love my little Mist, and want her to be as healthy as possible. Again, if anyone has answers, or some knowledge to share here, I'd be eternally grateful, and so would Mist. The last thing I want to do is give her up simply because I can't keep her warm.
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[Sadie]

I'm having a slight problem with my enclosure. Can someone help? My bearded dragon tank hasn't been getting as warm as it needs to recently. It's getting stuck between 85 and 90 degrees, and won't get warmer. I have a staggering 250W ceramic heat lamp on the basking spot, and it still won't get warmer. Does anyone know the problem here? I tried switching the port, switching to higher powered lamp/bulb (i started at 200W before moving, and don't worry, I have a thermostat system to keep from overheating). Thankfully, it's winter at the time of posting, so it (hopefully) isn't terribly detrimental to my beardie's health. Her tank is only a 40 gallon, which I know it's a bit small, but I'm in a small apartment with limited space. I try to let her out once in awhile so she can run around freely. I get the feeling it's a power issue, but I'm not an engineer. I love my little Mist, and want her to be as healthy as possible. Again, if anyone has answers, or some knowledge to share here, I'd be eternally grateful, and so would Mist. The last thing I want to do is give her up simply because I can't keep her warm.
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REPLY

Ceramic heat lamp???????????? Is that ceramic heat emitter??? Meaning only heat and NO light?? If that is what your using you need to get a bright white basking bulb--- ceramic heat emitters are good for nite time temps NOT basking bulbs

 

[redella]

Ceramic heat lamp???????????? Is that ceramic heat emitter??? Meaning only heat and NO light?? If that is what your using you need to get a bright white basking bulb--- ceramic heat emitters are good for nite time temps NOT basking bulbs

My apologies. I do have a UVB light hood as well. I've heard/read from a lot of sources that bright lights aren't good for beardies' eyes, so I stuck with a lightless heat bulb with a light hood.

 

[Sadie]

My apologies. I do have a UVB light hood as well. I've heard/read from a lot of sources that bright lights aren't good for beardies' eyes, so I stuck with a lightless heat bulb with a light hood.

Misinformation - you want to mimic the sun- your dragon needs a bright white basking bulb to start digestion - please get one -i would start w/ a 100 watt but you must have a digital probe thermometer to get that temp- keep the che but they are usually used for nite temps if they are falling below 65 at nite---what is the UVB your using brand and bul please

 

[redella]

Pardon me if i'm wrong, but I believe the heat is what helps with disgestion. The light helps to keep the beardie's skin healthy and to get it proper vitamins, which is why I have a hood to cover most of the tank. Again, I have a thermostat system so the cage doesn't overheat. I understand the ceramics are generally used for night time heating, but I find this set up works fine, as she is still getting the proper heating and light required. The temp doesn't drop too low overnight, so I don't run it during the night time.
Thank you.

 

[Sadie]

Pardon me if i'm wrong, but I believe the heat is what helps with disgestion. The light helps to keep the beardie's skin healthy and to get it proper vitamins, which is why I have a hood to cover most of the tank. Again, I have a thermostat system so the cage doesn't overheat. I understand the ceramics are generally used for night time heating, but I find this set up works fine, as she is still getting the proper heating and light required. The temp doesn't drop too low overnight, so I don't run it during the night time.
Thank you.

I can only tell you what works and what does not - che's do not work for basking--- I know several people who used ONLY che's for basking and all their dragons died- that's all I can say - you will not get proper temps in the tank for digestion

 

[HoomanSlave]

Sadie has you covered on the husbandry part, so I'll just step in with the reason the CHE is not properly heating your enclosure.

CHEs are designed to project heat around them, not directly downwards like a basking light. The heat is not directly reaching the basking spot, so the temps are not getting as high as they should be. CHEs are mostly for supplemental heating because of this flaw.

 

[redella]

I see.
I've used a ceramic heating bulb for almost 3 years, and it kept temp perfectly. I've never had any health problems with her, and she's always eaten fine. I've only been having heating issues recently. I did have a ceramic that did get the cage up to temp just fine a while ago, but it broke, and I haven't been able to find another one to replicate what I had prior.
Alright, I'll give it a shot. I was reluctant, but I want to see those temps get back up, and keep my beardie healthy.
Thank you.