General Care Discussion :: basking temperatures

[daredevilgirl013]

Ok I caught Michelangelo basking last night when I woke up but I don't have the temps right, it's only 84. I've got the lights as close as I can get them but I have no idea on how to raise up the temp. I know he's basking but I would like it to be at the right temp. Any ideas?

[steve]

How close are they now? Since it's winter, the air temp here is cooler so I've added some aluminum foil around the dome of my ceramic bulb. It directs more heat towards the basking area.

[jenaero]

I use a 100watt bulb..what are you using?

[marisa]

How far away is the basking light now, and what wattage is it? If it's as close as you can get it without him touching it and burning himself, try a slightly higher wattage (but if he basks at 84F, maybe around that temp or a few degrees higher is enough, as long as the water temp is about 10 degrees cooler).

[daredevilgirl013]

It's a 100 watt bulb, and it's 8 inches away. That's about the only way I can think of having it (if you look at my pictures on the pictures page you'll see how I have the lights) Cause if I move it to the side where the dock is I'll burn him and get it too close. And the water temp is about 76.

[daredevilgirl013]

success! Michelangelo is actually basking with me in the room! *croaks!*

[marisa]

Good news to hear.