Cermic heat emitters

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I just recently bought a 250 watt ceramic heat emitter with the large wire fixture. I am encountering a problem with the distance the heat waves travel. The temp at the bottom of my terrianum is 70 degrees and it needs to be 100. However when i put the thermometer right under the wire fixture it maxes out. I have it placed on the top of the cage on a wire lid and the distance down is 25 centimeters. Should I exchange my ceramic for a halogen basking bulb... please I need some good advice!

P.s I am using all Exo Terra supplies if that helps u figure out my situation.

Chelsea.

ANSWER: Hello Chelsea,
Might I ask what you are housing that needs a floor temperature of 100 degrees? That seems pretty high in most cases. Can I get a little more information on your setup. How large is the enclosure? What type of thermometer are you using? I am not quite sure of the details you have given me and I am a little confused. The distance down from where to where is 25 centimeters?
If you could please clear some of these details for me I would appreciate it and be able to help you a little bit more. I also hope you don't mind me asking but why is it you used Fahrenheit for measuring temperature but centimeters for distance? I think there might be some convertion problems. Maybe not, maybe I just misread the question. But I would love to help if you could get back to me on those details.

Good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Let's clear it up. Ok so the measurements are 48 inches, by 20 inches by 25 inches and it's a part wood, part glass enclosure with a mesh top. It is 25 inches from top to bottom and if I put the ceramic emitter (250 watts) on top the mesh lid it does not put out enough heat (70F) I am worried about the basking temp if he's only geting in 70 when he needs at least 85. So im seriously considering going to a halogen basking bulb even though the ceramic ones are highly rated. And the reptile that I will be geting soon is a bearded dragon. I already have the exo terra uva fixture with the 3 bulbs and a night heat source which makes the tank  70ish on the opposite side of it and 100 directly under it. I hope this is enough information for you.

Chelsea.

Answer
Hello Chelsea, Thank you for clarifying, sorry for not understanding the first time.

What kind of thermometer are you using, the dial stick on thermometers have been proven to be up to 20 degrees inaccurate. The digital thermometers are best. Be sure the temperatures are reading correct because it seems odd a 250w CHE will only heat to average room temperature. You may have a faulty bulb. The basking area should be between 100-105. Bearded Dragons need 95F to digest food so work on at making sure there is at least one area where he can get to this temperature. The warm side should be about 90-95, and the cool side close to 80 degrees. If you want to change to a regular basking bulb instead of the CHE that is fine and may work better for your situation. But you could also try testing your thermometers and covering part of the screen with foil. Be sure to leave enough room for ventilation in the screen but heat rises so covering part of it will help. Foil is best but be sure to test it with the temperatures before allowing your Bearded Dragon inside. If the floor temperature needs to be higher thing about investing into a Under Tank Heater (UTH) they stick to the bottom of the cage (only for acrylic and glass tanks so if the bottom is wood it wont work) and heat up the floor (remember heat rocks are no good).


Also be sure your uv light also produces UVB rays not only UVA. The UVB rays are what is most important and needed to help absorb calcium. '

If you need more information or if I still didn't understand your question let me know. Good luck!