IS this normal

[JimboSlice]

Is it normal for my baby beardie to constantly open its mouth while basking?i did a search on the board & found it could be too hot or upper respitory infection. I dont see an mucus when he opens up & hes not making any wierd noises. is this normal? i am using a 100 watt exo terra sun glo incandescent buld for his basking lamp& i have his under the tank heater also he is in a 20 gallon is this overkill? i dont have a thermo yet so i dont know the temps i plan on going to wal mart tomorrow and getting one. Can someone please give me some info im really worried about my lil buddy

 

[Goonie]

It is more than likely that the temps in his tank are too high. For a 20 gallon, having both a 100 watt and undertank heater is a bit too much.

You need to get a probe thermometer to accurately measure the temps. If it's indeed too hot, your beardie could become dehydrated rather quickly.

 

[JimboSlice]

thanks for the reply for now i will turn the under the tank heater off while basking light is on & wil turn it on when lights out. Tomorrow i will go to walmart & get a thermometer to measure temps. i may also downgrade the basking lamp to a 75 watter
once again thanks

 

[Goonie]

75 watt should be plenty for a 20 gallon tank. You don't want the entire tank to be heated, just the basking spot.

You are very welcome.

 

[JimboSlice]

yes i turned the under the tank heater off about an hour ago and he's basking and not opening his mouth anymore. but i will measure temps tomorrow just to be sure

 

[LJean]

Oh yeah measuring temps is important. I had good temps in Oscars viv for a long time. I switched bulbs (though the same wattage) and it was too cold. So then I got a higher wattage and it was too hot, LOL
Wish I remembered exactly which bulb I used when the temps were good. Once it was broken I threw it out and now haven't a clue. Try to remember what bulb you have (save the box thingy they come in) when you get good temps from one. Saves time when it needs replacing.
That is my tip of the day.

 

[Goonie]

That's good. It's not easy getting the temps "just right" for any sized tank. It's a very trying trial-and-error process that lasts forever, unfortunately.

I had Pookie for almost a year and I'm constantly turning on/off the heat emitter because some days it's just waaaay to hot, even if the room temp remained constant.

 

[stephenrose06]

I know spraying water on them when they are dehydrated is good, but what about if they are getting too hot? Or does that just bug them? I put in a dimmer switch for the 100 watt light bulb for if it goes over 105 or 110 in the basking spot. But notice even if the temps are right in the basking spot he does go into his cave and vent.

 

[Goonie]

Some beardies will like temps lower than 110 - like mine. A micro degree higher than 105 he'd be gaping.

Spraying water on them is only a trick to get them to drink water. It won't cool them down.

 

[winq]

my tank is (L) 2ft x (W) 1ft x (H) 1ft

i'm using zoomed 60W reptile basking lamp which is 8inch above the rock. my beardie oso open his mouth while basking. is this normal?

 

[Goonie]

my tank is (L) 2ft x (W) 1ft x (H) 1ft

According to this website (http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/tipsandtables/l/bltanksize.htm), your tank is a 15 gallon.

i'm using zoomed 60W reptile basking lamp which is 8inch above the rock. my beardie oso open his mouth while basking. is this normal?

What are you measuring the temps with? Like I said before, some beardies just don't like higher temps, and yours might be one of them.

 

[Zemanski]

he doesn't need a heat mat at all - beardies need heat from about, not below