Life hacks needed for my new enclosure. Temps all over the place

[Shamri]

I recently purchased a new enclosure for Atticus. Here's a link to the website and a description of the cage features: http://www.showcasecages.com/cage_details.htm

I got the 48 x 24 x 18. My temps were not getting high enough with a 60W bulb, but I didn't want to risk a 150W, so I went with 100W. I purchased a larger UTH (which is regulated at 90). I have a heat sensor inside the tank above the UTH to monitor temps, and it stays right around 90. With the higher wattage CHE, the humidity is dipping on that side. That doesn't worry me as much, since I can route in some humidity. Here are my issues:

1. Below the CHE, surface temps are REALLY high, like 110 (on top of his hide, for instance). Is that going to create the same burn issues as high belly heat?
2. Ambient temps are still not great. I'd say they average between 77-80 - this is including the air temp on the side with the hot surface temps.

Any tips for how I might find some balance here? Or am I okay? TIA!

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Is your CHE regulated with a thermostat also?

[Shamri]

No, not presently.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

No, not presently.

Well, then that's your answer. Regulate it.

[bcr229]

Ambient in the upper 70's is fine. I hope the 90*F is the surface temp of the enclosure over the UTH, not the air an inch above it. Otherwise the surface temp is likely too high.

The CHE needs to be regulated, 110*F is way too hot. I think if you dial it back or put in a lower-wattage bulb and cover any other openings in the top you can make it work.

[Shamri]

Yes, the 90 degree reading is the temp of the enclosure above the UTH inside the tank, under a layer of substrate.

The 100+ readings are the temperature readings of the top of his hide and the substrate directly underneath the CHE. The rest of the tank is fine as far as surface temps go.
Inside his hide, the substrate temp is like 83-85.

My concern is that the 60W will not be enough to heat the rest of the enclosure, since it's about 90 gallons.

[nightwolfsnow]

You can get a lamp dimmer for the che so you don't have to use it at maximum capacity. What is the size of the lamp? I noticed a bigger lamp with the same size bulb actually helped raise the over all ambient temperature more when I had a problem with the are under the lamp being too hot and the ambient temp not being warm enough. Not sure if the same thing applies to a che. Maybe get a second heat mat and have that at a lower setting on the middle or cool side.