Basking bulb wattage??

[Darkangel92]

Ok so i currently have a 100watt and was told that would be fine but my temp guage is reading around 86 which is way to low. I have a 75gal tank and its 21" high so while im at work today (petsmart) I'm gonna get a 150watt bulb...is that right?

[Bird_Brain]

No one can tell you what wattage will work for your situation. There are too many variables that determine what wattage is needed. I have my lights about 18" above the basking area and only use 60watt bulbs and get hot enough temps.

What I would suggest is going to your local home improvement retailer and getting your bulbs there. It will be MUCH cheaper and accomplish the same thing. This will allow you to be able to play around with different wattage bulbs until you find the right one.

Also, how are you measuring the temps?

[Darkangel92]

I have a temp strip where the basking rock is. I'll try the 150 and if it doesn't work i can always return it

[Bird_Brain]

Get rid of that temp strip. Those are VERY inaccurate. Get something that will digitally read the temperature.

[Darkangel92]

Was trying to avoid that cost lol. I've always used them and never had a problem =\

[Bird_Brain]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... dn=Heating
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... dn=Heating
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... ccessories

There are 3 choices that you can get from work that are about double the cost of the strips. Stop paying the outrageous price for the heat bulbs at work and buy from Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, etc, and the money you will save will pay for a digital thermometer. Heck for $20 you can get an infrared temp gun on-line. Not that much of a cost when your skink cost you $100+!

[wrath]

I think the 150 might be too much. I would recommend getting a Pro Exotic Temp Gun online to
measure the temperature of your cage. 86 isn't too low for the ambient temperature of the cage.
It should be at 70 and the basking spot 100. Please be careful not to overheat your cage.

[Darkangel92]

He's got a cool side and a hot side where the basking bulb is.

[Spankenstyne]

The strip thermometers aren't too great for getting an accurate basking spot surface temp, the temp guns work fantastic and are well worth the expense. They even have the PE-2 on for $35 right now.

[Richard.C]

Strip thermometre wont give accurate basking temp readings,nor air temps,they are more accurate for giving water temps,what they were designed for,digital thermometers with good accuracy are very cheap,like brad said,get lights from hardware store,way more economical and the same as petstore ones,thise your paying for a puc of a reptile on the packet,also hardware stores give lots of options to try

Only way to know if u need higher or lower wattages us getting an accurate reading thermometer,then u can adjust from there,guessing temps can be quite risky,especially if room cage resides fluctuates alot in temp