Getting my heat up

[Nikki Gregory]

Hey guys, I just got my little guy and I am having a hard time getting my heat up to the correct temp. I have a 180 gallon tank and a 160 watt bulb but can’t seem to get the heat over 75 degrees. Any suggestions?

 

[bsshig40]

Does your enclosure have an open top? I doubt one bulb is going to provide enough heat to get basking temps of a round 115dg. I have a 6'x3'x3' enclosure. I had to run 4- 150w heat emitters to maintain proper temps when it's cold. It's getting warmer in my shop now but I still run 2- 150w emitters to maintain temps that cascade down from basking temps to hide temps ( hot side to cool side). Also, make sure you have an infrared temp gun so you know the exact temps.

 

[TripleTegus]

How high do you have the light mounted. You may need to drop it lower if you can, or have to add another bulb as already suggested. A heat gun is definitely as good investment though.

 

[Nikki Gregory]

Ok! Thank you for your responses! My enclosure is half open half closed. And I have my lights mounted about 12 inches from the substrate.

 

[TripleTegus]

Are you sure it's a 160w bulb. 12 inches seems awful close to only reach 75 degrees. I think the ambient temperature in my reptile room is higher than that. Something definitely seems a little off to me.

 

[TripleTegus]

What are you using to measure the temperature?

 

[AlphaAlpha]

seal up some ventilation so not as much heat escapes.......... but that does seem awfully strange to me too.

I Have a 120 X 150 X 60 (high) cm enclosure and I just use a 100w bulb that hangs about 30 cm above his basking tile.

 

[Nikki Gregory]

I have since closed up all holes up top and the heat has risen and so has the humidity thanks everyone for the advice and I am using a regular thermometer that goes on the side of the wall at the moment but am getting a thermo gun as soon as I get paid. He seems to be fine he is eating great ( LOVES silk worms) and is very active

 

[Nikki Gregory]

Also I messed up and put the thermometers to high up I’m not used to an enclosure this big yet lol. Hopefully he will be forgiving enough for me to learn a bigger enclosed ‍

 

[Walter1]

I like this sort of thread because nothing's assumed and solutions follow good questions.

 

[AlphaAlpha]

good to hear you're sorted

 

[Blakkdragon]

Also basking temps are gonna be hotter than ambient temps that are not in the direct light