General Care Discussion :: Basking temp, how hot is too hot?

[2babyres]

I upgraded my tank and when I made my custom basking area I raised is a bit about 3" My heat lamp has a zoomed 75w bulb in it her basking temp usedto be about 90deg its not about 102deg is this too hot?

Its hotter because I moved her closer to the light when I raised the level of the basking area. Please let me know if I need to change the temp, I'll go get a 50 w bulb instead.

Here is pic of the new basking area. Its about 5" from the heat light.



Thanks.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I think that's a tad too hot. I think you should get it closer to 90-95 degrees. I think some people have "hot spots" that get near 100, but their turtles can move around to get warmer or cooler. You can also get a 60 watt bulb.

[octpusgirl8]

I agree, it's a little too hot. Can you just move the lamp a little further away? In the future, you don't have to spend all tha money on a special "basking" heat bulb, for heat a household incandescent will be just fine. It's tough to tell from your pic, but how do you have the UVB set up? If there's glass or plastic over the bulb (i can't tell) you need to remove it as it filters out a lot of the UVB rays. It's a beautiful basking area, i'd love to see more pictures of your setup!
*edit* I saw your other post, it's a really nice looking tank!

[TurtleGirl08]

I agree with them, I love your tank as well. I would love to see more pictures and I love the rocks you used were did you get them if you dont mind me asking?? you have a very nice setup

[2babyres]

Thanks, I have a spare 75w zoomed bulb, I'll exhange it for the 50 w. When they burn out I'll go with the reg incendesant.

The light is a flex light it has to sit on something it won't stay up so I'll just get the 50w bulb for now. I guess she will move from there if its too hot, there's plenty of room for her to roam on the basking area. The light is on now and I'm at work.

The uvb light is in a standard 36" hood for an all glass tank, I modified it to fit my tank and took the glass out. I did install plexiglass in the ends of the hood and a small strip in the center to add some stength back to the hood but there's (2) 10"x3" sections on both sides in which the uvb can shine down. The tank is also in a room with 2 windows.

River rocks are from petsmart but after I already bought these I found nicer ones at wallmart in 8lb bags in the craft section near the candel area.

[KeithBT]

well I'd get a thermometer to stick on the wall and its suposed to be around 90 degreess I think or I could be wrong

[2babyres]

I have one thats how I know, its 102 in the center where she would lay under the light.

[marisa]

102F is too hot. Either move the 75-watt one further away or use the 50-watt bulb to lower the temp.

[Bascomb]

My two cents -- I would max out a 95 degrees. They need to bask at a deliberate speed or time with uvb. It would not be good for them to get hot, jump in and cool off and back to the basking area and get hot again.

[2babyres]

Thanks guys, I got the 50w bulb last night I am back to a solid 90-92 deg max directly in the center of the beam of light.

[marisa]

Much better.