I finally broke down and bought a ceramic heat emitter but am not very happy with it. Im curious... the temperature gauge is lower overall in the cage and I thought it should be higher. could this be because the heat is more focused on one spot? maybe I need a higher wattage emitter right now 100 W?

i know it takes a while for the temps to get up there. How big is your enclosure?

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

the enclosure is pretty big, it measures L - 4 ft. H - 2ft. W - 2ft. i forget the gallons

I'm coming up with 119 gallons?

Thats a really large enclosure. I have a 90 gallon that I use a 100watt emitter, plus a 60 watt lightbulb. At the top its 83 (regulated with a thermostat) and at the bottom it's usually in the mid 70's. I would guess to say you are going to need some additional heat. Is it 48 tall? And is it glass? And what is your top made out of?

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

its made of wood I built it myself. the front has 2 big paynes of plexiglass the roof is also wood with a hole in the top left for the heat source and another long cut section for the tube light(daylight) on either side of the habitat there are ai vents covered with mesh theres pictures on my profile

You are either going to have to go with a higher watt Ceramic Heat Emitter, a supplemental heat source or reduce the amount of airflow in the cage. With those big vents in the end, added to the openings in the top you have a lot of air movement there.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

ive added another heat bulb and blocked one of the vents the temps are perfect now! thanks all for the advise great as always