Help my setup please

[acdcman75]

OK I put her log up with the mvb 14 inches over her... then I put the heat one next to it on the right... the thermo on the bottom says 80 the one in the middle says 80 her basking spot on the log not in the air with the digital thermo is 100.5... she isn't gaping when she does go on there she keeps running back and forth trying to jump in the new desert background I made her and the mvb is 125 it got plastic melted on it which I cleaned off it should be fine... and the clear one is 150 watts she runs around then climbs on the log a few minutes then runs around some more she is shedding a lot so giving her dusted dubias and gave her a bath maybe the mvb is crappy?

 

[acdcman75]

 

[diamc]

That's good that you made her a new background.

Actually 275 watts of heat is an AWFUL lot for a 55 to 60 gallon tank. The round gauge (dial) and digital strip thermometers you're using are very inaccurate though. Her behavior sounds like she is too hot and is trying to escape the heat by trying to jump on the desert background. For her sake, please invest in a digital thermometer with a long wire & probe end. If you'd like a picture of one, please let me know and I can post some here. If she's not wanting to bask under a heat light for 2 hrs or more right in one spot, that's a sure sign that she is overheating. If she isn't basking, she isn't digesting her food which can cause her all sorts of stomach issues from the food going bad in her belly, that's not good.

Where is she spending most of her time?

Good that you gave her a bath, I would continue to do that frequently until you figure out the true temps.

 

[diamc]

She is very cute. Hopefully she will be happy to stay right in that spot for at least 2 hrs. Please keep us updated on that.

 

[acdcman75]

Please post a pic I'll go buy one and I'll toss the mvb she spends her time there then on bottom of the log running like crazy looking at the desert no she won't sit there I took away the mvb hope that helps

 

[diamc]

Great, I'm glad you will get a different thermometer. I've had beardies over 11 yrs so there isn't much behavior from them that I haven't experienced. From what you're explaining with her activity, she is too hot and uncomfortable. Thanks for listening to my suggestions.

Here's some links to digital thermometers.

This first one is the AcuRite that Walmart and Lowe's carry. It works very well. Gives you basking & cool side temp at the same time as well as the humidity level which is good to know.

http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1371428559&sr=8-11&keywords=digital+probe+thermometers%2C+acurite

This one would give you a better reading than the thermometers you have now but will only give you one reading at a time and they can be off a few degrees.
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1371428795&sr=8-9&keywords=digital+probe+thermometers

This one will give you both readings at the same time but no humidity level.
http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-11196-Marina-ThermoSensor-Thermometer/dp/B000HHJHR8/ref=sr_1_83?ie=UTF8&qid=1371429015&sr=8-83&keywords=digital+probe+thermometers

I can explain just how to use the digital probes too if you'd like.

 

[diamc]

Here's what the temperature guns look like. With these, you "point & shoot" by holding the end 2" from the area you're checking. I actually have temp guns and digital probe thermometers on hand.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiTemp-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B0053Y6IPE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1371429404&sr=8-8&keywords=temperature+guns%2C+infrared

 

[acdcman75]

OK so I put the mvb above her 14" and getting 95 ° next to her head with the thermometer you told me to get it also says 48% humid and 74° on the unit side tomorrow I will do whatever tweaking you say to fix this

 

[diamc]

Ok, great that you found one. Is it the Acurite that I posted the picture of? If so, make sure you place the probe right on her basking spot, he should be touching it and place the thermometer part way over on the bottom of the cool side. Wait about 45 min to 1 hr for the temps to stop rising, then the "out" reading will be the basking temp and the "in" reading for the cool side. Let me know when you wait that required amount of time tomorrow what the temps are and I will help you get this just right. Most people don't realize that you need to wait that long but the temps do continue to climb until waiting.

Oh, and if she tends to lay on the probe end preventing you from getting a good reading, then perhaps you can take her out to hold her, let her run around or give her a bath while the temps are rising.

Good luck.

 

[acdcman75]

OK I'm getting 92 and 50 humid what should I do?

 

[acdcman75]

Wait I have a little ceramic heater I put in over her and got it to 95 maybe if I clamp it and drop it lower?
UPDATE
I can get it to 99 with the probe next to her head and that's it could I lower themvb without hurting her to 12"?

 

[diamc]

Your temps are almost there. Yes, try lowering the MVB to 12" to her when she's in the basking spot. If you can get it to 101 or 102, that should be perfect for an 18 mo old.
What is the temp on the bottom of the cool side?

What bulb(s) are you using in the whole tank now besides the MVB?

I noticed your humidity level is 50%, are you misting her while she's in her tank? Do you have a water dish in there?

How is she acting, is she basking for a while now?

You're doing a great job.

 

[acdcman75]

A quick update thanks for all your help I took out the wood cause I think it got over hot now its around 100-105 she basks a lot And she is eating more I got her butter worms and took out the mvb cause I think it got her sick... she is doing better!

 

[diamc]

That's great that she is basking more AND eating more. I agree, sounds like she didn't like the MVB. What are you using now for UVB?

Thanks for the update.

 

[acdcman75]

Reptisun 10 uvb and on other side zilla 10 uvb both tubes