I currently keep my tegu, Amaru, in a 6x3x3 (height vares from 18" to 36" back to front) PVC cage from NPI. It's an older version of http://www.npicages.com/72_standard_reptile_cage_s72t.html. Biggest difference is a long vent along the back of the top.
I have a larger double dome sitting on top of the far right side of the long vent in the back. The dome houses a 160 watt MVB and a CHE (I forget the wattage of it). My tegu can bask within about 6 inches of the lights. My concern is that when I use an IR temp reader, it is only registering around 95 degrees on his basking spot. I don't know how it could only be 95. That seems so low for that close to that powerful a heat source.
What are people's thoughts? Should I add more lights? What kind of lights? Is it better if they are inside rather than sitting over the mesh? Is it possible that my IR temp reader is misreading? I've used it on bath water and even at full heat, it doesn't register over 100 degrees and that seems low. Amaru seems healthy and active. I just want his conditions to be ideal.
I have a larger double dome sitting on top of the far right side of the long vent in the back. The dome houses a 160 watt MVB and a CHE (I forget the wattage of it). My tegu can bask within about 6 inches of the lights. My concern is that when I use an IR temp reader, it is only registering around 95 degrees on his basking spot. I don't know how it could only be 95. That seems so low for that close to that powerful a heat source.
What are people's thoughts? Should I add more lights? What kind of lights? Is it better if they are inside rather than sitting over the mesh? Is it possible that my IR temp reader is misreading? I've used it on bath water and even at full heat, it doesn't register over 100 degrees and that seems low. Amaru seems healthy and active. I just want his conditions to be ideal.
