Summer lights/Pet stores in the states

[jager]

Hi everyone, this is a two part post and figured putting it all on one post would be better than two separate ones.

I am wondering about tank temps in the summer. In the summer when it gets quite hot and the temps in my tank go up, can I/should I change the basking bulb to a lower wattage? I have central air but it can still get pretty warm and humid. I currently have a 125 watt solar glo and his temp stays around 98-105 but over the last few days its has been warmer and his basking area went up to 110 without the AC on and the cool side was around 80. We haven't even hit summer temps yet. I have a 100 watt from before when he was in a smaller tank. If I notice his temps get to high should I change it or turn off his basking bulb for a bit? I know they need the basking for digestion but I don't want the little guy to over heat. This will be my first summer experience with a bearded dragon and I am a little unsure.

I will be going to the states in a couple weeks and was wondering about pet stores there. I would love to get one of those little reptile leashes so I can bring Jager outside and let him roam a bit but don't want to lose him. He can be super still then just start booting off somewhere LOL. I haven't been able to find one here as of yet. I will be in the Niagara, Buffalo area. I have heard a lot about pet co, is that a good store? Is it similar Petsmart?

Thank you so much for any suggestions or advice [emoji1] you guys are awesome!

 

[ccook94]

Petco is similar to petsmart but I think petco is better cause they seem to have a better variety of things

 

[drzebra]

What size tank are we talking? I use 100 watt year round, but I live in Tennessee.

 

[Dawn McNair]

I put a dimmer switch on my basking bulb so I could control the heat without changing the bulb.

 

[Canicke]

you probabaly wont find a leash at a pet store. most are available on line. or - you can make one. will you be visiting a friend? you could order the leash and have it shipped to where you will be ???

 

[PatsyB]

I've actually been thinking of changing out my bulb for the summer. It is getting very warm in the reptile room, Dexter and Luci are a starting spending more time on their cool side.

 

[PatsyB]

BTW, I'm a little jealous of your trip. Hope you will be seeing the falls while you are there.

 

[drzebra]

If it's a Solar Glo, do NOT use a dimmer. Dimmers and mercury vapor bulbs don't mix.

 

[jager]

Drzebra, it is a 40x19x19 which I believe is 50 gallon. It was given to me by my nephew who had intended on getting a tegu but my sister said "no way" LOL . Good to know about the solar glo and timers. Thank you

Canicke, we are just going to head to the states to do some shopping, you guys have some pretty cool stuff there that we can't get here. I love the smuckers peanut butter and jam swirled together and the price of booze, WOW, its so cheap LOL to bad I can't bring any back. Some clothes there are way cheaper too, even with the exchange rate. I have been over a few times but never thought to check out a pet store while there. I will check online or look for instructions on how to make one. Thank you

PatsyB, I am hoping to check out the falls. I have only seen them from my side and it looks like there is a long walk out or something, somewhat over the falls which I would love to see.

 

[drzebra]

Timers, yes. Dimmers, no.

 

[jager]

Oops, I misread your post [emoji5]

 

[drzebra]

Happens to the best of us. [emoji2]

 

[PatsyB]

Drzebra, it is a 40x19x19 which I believe is 50 gallon. It was given to me by my nephew who had intended on getting a tegu but my sister said "no way" LOL . Good to know about the solar glo and timers. Thank you

Canicke, we are just going to head to the states to do some shopping, you guys have some pretty cool stuff there that we can't get here. I love the smuckers peanut butter and jam swirled together and the price of booze, WOW, its so cheap LOL to bad I can't bring any back. Some clothes there are way cheaper too, even with the exchange rate. I have been over a few times but never thought to check out a pet store while there. I will check online or look for instructions on how to make one. Thank you

PatsyB, I am hoping to check out the falls. I have only seen them from my side and it looks like there is a long walk out or something, somewhat over the falls which I would love to see.

The falls are prettier from your side It's funny what you say about us having pretty cool stuff here, I said the same thing about Canada the first time we went!

 

[jager]

I gotta say, you guys have some awesome candies and chip flavors LOL

 

[ccook94]

You might can find a small enough harness in the small animal section of a pet store

 

[ccook94]

@drzebra I live in Tennessee too!

 

[Jdanielson69]

Petco sometimes does have the leashes in the reptile section.

 

[jarich]

Is the top open/screen? Is that basking temperature surface or ambient? How are you measuring it? A temperature of 110 F is absolutely fine, especially if your cool side is still only 80F. My surface temps regularly got up to 130F last year without issue. As long as the cool side stays cooler and the dragon can go there if its too hot, then the basking area isnt really problematic within reason.

 

[jager]

I have a screen on top of the tank, that was the basking temp. I haven't purchased a temp gun as of yet but plan on getting one soon so I will be able to tell what the actual temp is inside the tank. I use a digital thermometer at the basking area. His cool side has been hovering at 80, my main concern was if that keeps going up because of the weather , how do I cool it down? We have been having some very warm days here and the temps climbed but the weather is still so up and down that its to early to turn on the central air. So I shouldn't worry too much about the basking area( within reason) mainly the cool side?