Basking lamp help!!

[Kino03]

Hey guys im getting everything set up for my 5month old male panther chameleon i get on Wednesday and i have a 100 watt basking lamp set up with a 8.5 flukers adjustable dome. The basking branch is about 7.5 inches below the lamp and my temp gun is reading 80 degrees (on the top of the brach) with the lamp fully powered. Does this sound normal? Shouldn't it be getting hotter since 100 watts is pretty powerful?
Please help! I need to get everything right by tomorrow!
This is the light i bought

 

[nightanole]

If its a normal round house bulb that sounds about right. If it was a 35-50 watt halogen flood, that also sounds right. The round house bulbs make more of a hot area, which is good for sub adults.

 

[Kino03]

If its a normal round house bulb that sounds about right. If it was a 35-50 watt halogen flood, that also sounds right. The round house bulbs make more of a hot area, which is good for sub adults.

I got a zoo med repti basking spot lamp

 

[Rlc1994]

For measuring temperature A good option is using a digital thermometer with a probe. The temperature guns only give the surface temperature of the object it’s being pointed and not the air temperature.

 

[Fullbackshak]

Depending on the specific shape of the bulb, the higher wattage can result in a higher temperature over a larger area, as opposed to just being hotter in a straight line below it. As RLc1994 said as well, a temperature gun pointed at the branch might not always be completely indicative of the temperature your chameleon will feel.

 

[Rlc1994]

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA

 

[Kino03]

For measuring temperature A good option is using a digital thermometer with a probe. The temperature guns only give the surface temperature of the object it’s being pointed and not the air temperature.

and attaching it to the basking branch?

 

[Rlc1994]

and attaching it to the basking branch?

Yes

 

[Kino03]

Yes

Ok i will run to my local petco and pick one up! I will get back to you shortly!

 

[Kino03]

Yes

Im back, so with the dimmer adjusted to full power these are the readings i got...
This means i have to tone it down to about 72-80 correct?
I should have mentioned its a panther chameleon from kammerflage creations

 

[Rlc1994]

Depending on the age of the chameleon the basking temperature varies. You can look this up in the resource section on the forum under caresheets. Here’s a link for panther care.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

 

[Kino03]

Depending on the age of the chameleon the basking temperature varies. You can look this up in the resource section on the forum under caresheets. Here’s a link for panther care.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

Thank you! My baby is going to be 5 months

 

[Rlc1994]

You will want to take into account that your chameleon will be a couple inches higher than the probe this means it will be a couple degrees hotter than what the probe reads at the level you have it.

I started out with a 3 month old panther And was told a basking temperature around 82 at that age then as each month of growth raise it by 1 degree. My guy at 10 months old seems to like it around 87-88 degrees. I wouldn’t go any hotter than 90 once they reach adult size.

 

[Kino03]

You will want to take into account that your chameleon will be a couple inches higher than the probe this means it will be a couple degrees hotter than what the probe reads at the level you have it.

I started out with a 3 month old panther And was told a basking temperature around 82 at that age then as each month of growth raise it by 1 degree. My guy at 10 months old seems to like it around 87-88 degrees. I wouldn’t go any hotter than 90 once they reach adult size.

Thanks for the tips! I did not take into account the extra hight added. I might have over reacted a bit, but i wanted to make sure its ready for his new home

 

[kinyonga]

Word of warning...When setting up a basking light make sure that the closest point where your chameleon can sit won't be close enough to get burned by holding your hand under the light at that spot. If you have to move your hand the chameleon will likely get burned.

 

[Rlc1994]

Yes I forgot to mention I noticed your lamp is directly on the screen, I would find something to raise it a few inches off the screen. Young chameleons are know to climb right under lamps and can cause severe burns like @kinyonga mentioned.

 

[Multivitamins]

Hey guys im getting everything set up for my 5month old male panther chameleon i get on Wednesday and i have a 100 watt basking lamp set up with a 8.5 flukers adjustable dome. The basking branch is about 7.5 inches below the lamp and my temp gun is reading 80 degrees (on the top of the brach) with the lamp fully powered. Does this sound normal? Shouldn't it be getting hotter since 100 watts is pretty powerful?
Please help! I need to get everything right by tomorrow!
This is the light i bought

These bulbs create a focused beam of heat and are quite intense if the dimmer isn't working out you may want to try the flood style br30 type bulbs cheap 6 packs at h.d. most the time.
I use this type bulb at 75w for cold days but always have it on a timer as it tends to throw some heat as you've noticed. Amazon has some waterproof probe style for cheap as well so you can set up a few in different spots and dial it all in.

 

[Kino03]

These bulbs create a focused beam of heat and are quite intense if the dimmer isn't working out you may want to try the flood style br30 type bulbs cheap 6 packs at h.d. most the time.
I use this type bulb at 75w for cold days but always have it on a timer as it tends to throw some heat as you've noticed. Amazon has some waterproof probe style for cheap as well so you can set up a few in different spots and dial it all in.

I got a cheap zoomed probe now, i orderd a better one off amazon that measures the humidity as well

 

[Gingero]

You’ll totally love this video. It answers a bunch of your questions!