I bought a hygrometer yesterday, a good one from our local cigar store, not the cheap $4 ones at the pet store. It turns out that the humidty was only 55%, So I threw together a humifier. Now it's already up to 62%. The only problem I am having now is that it's too hot in there. With out the basking light on its 84-85 in the cool side!. I have screen uncovered and have been keeping the basking light off (they have a separate UVA UVB light) as much as possible. Even at night the tank doesn't drop below 83. Is there anything I can do?
How close are your lights to the tank? They need to be within a foot of the basking spot but they don't need to be right up against the glass. Maybe try moving the lights away a little, and use the basking light maybe an hour or two a day while leaving only the UVA UVB light on. Or get a light that combines both so that you don't have to have both lights shining on them. Dunno, just suggestions, hope it helps.
There is no distance requirements really for the basking light, so long as you keep the right temps. You can try moving the basking light back, or try using a lower watt bulb. Also, i know this may not be a possibility, but with temps not going below 83 at night, do you have an air conditioned room you can put it in?
It was REALLY hot here the week I posted. Now the tank is droppong to 72-73 at night, holding steady at 80-81 daytime and 88-90 in the basking spot. This seems about right to me.
