Need experienced answers

[KarrieRee]

I’m extremely confused now, because the Australian Reptile specialist vet didn’t agree with the Basking Heat lamp and said to use the CHE for heating 24hrs per day in the one spot. But then I keep reading everyone suggesting Heat light lamps…
I have another Australian Reptile wildlife vet/carer contact, so I will see if they can come over and help. I appreciate your help

Please get a solid bright white basking bulb-- I have seen what happens to dragons w/ just a ceramic heat emitter -- they don't make it- please listen to us on the forum not the reptile "specialist"
@AHBD
@Drache613
@Claudiusx

 

[Jane333]

Please get a solid bright white basking bulb-- I have seen what happens to dragons w/ just a ceramic heat emitter -- they don't make it- please listen to us on the forum not the reptile "specialist"
@AHBD
@Drache613
@Claudiusx

I have one of the Wildlife Carers coming over. Just a reminder I’m in Australia so we can a few in the area. Thanks for your help. I am going to run through everything with them. I do have basking lamp already. I just want the carer to help so we get it right. The temps on Qld today are perfect so little miss and I will have bask in natural sun

 

[KarrieRee]

I have one of the Wildlife Carers coming over. Just a reminder I’m in Australia so we can a few in the area. Thanks for your help. I am going to run through everything with them. I do have basking lamp already. I just want the carer to help so we get it right. The temps on Qld today are perfect so little miss and I will have bask in natural sun

You want a digital probe thermometer to get actual surface basking temps--- 95-100 --- thats going to tell you what wattage bulb you need and it should be no closer than 6" ----

 

[Jane333]

You want a digital probe thermometer to get actual surface basking temps--- 95-100 --- thats going to tell you what wattage bulb you need and it should be no closer than 6" ----

Are you referring to a handheld one or the one that is already set up with the thermostat? I have few different items already, including the basking Lamp.
I am going to get the wildlife carer to assist me. Great thing about Australia is they are our own so we have a lot of carers in the area to help if needed. Probably should have just asked one to come over sooner.
I appreciate all your assistance.

 

[KarrieRee]

Are you referring to a handheld one or the one that is already set up with the thermostat? I have few different items already, including the basking Lamp.
I am going to get the wildlife carer to assist me. Great thing about Australia is they are our own so we have a lot of carers in the area to help if needed. Probably should have just asked one to come over sooner.
I appreciate all your assistance.

No they look like this

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_4?hvadid=78340383340569&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=zoo+med+thermometer+digital&qid=1665707623&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-4

If they are telling you to use only a CHE they are giving wrong info ---

 

[Jane333]

I’ve been me

No they look like this

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_4?hvadid=78340383340569&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=zoo+med+thermometer+digital&qid=1665707623&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-4

If they are telling you to use only a CHE they are giving wrong info --

No they look like this

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_4?hvadid=78340383340569&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=zoo+med+thermometer+digital&qid=1665707623&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-4

If they are telling you to use only a CHE they are giving wrong info ---

Thanks for that, I will pick one up. I am going to head to pet city to get less Watt basking lamp, the one I have makes her basking spot too hot.
Thanks again for your help. I want little miss to live her best life. Her previous family had her in tiny enclosure for 2 years. I need to get it right

 

[Jane333]

No they look like this

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Digital-Terrarium-Thermometer/dp/B000MD3MFA/ref=sr_1_4?hvadid=78340383340569&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=zoo+med+thermometer+digital&qid=1665707623&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-4

If they are telling you to use only a CHE they are giving wrong info ---

Hi KarrieRee, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your assistance. Would you believe I spoke to 5 wildlife carers 2 vets today that told me the CHE was suitable & use them. I didn’t want to trust it knowing what you said, so I just went got the basking lamp because I can tell more looking at her behaviour she’s not getting quality bask even though she still eats and passes properly. I talked to bearded dragon rep at the store and he’s put me in contact with different Wildlife Vet and some contacts for assistance to make sure I can get the temp right because the last time I set it up to specifications it over heated the basking space. Sadly I can’t install it all today they didn’t have a few things I need. But I think it will right soon. I will post a photo for you to see once it’s done.
As I said before I got her because she lived in horrible conditions before, how she could stay healthy for 2 years is outstanding on her behalf, but I wanted to give her the best life.
Thank you so much!!!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi KarrieRee, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your assistance. Would you believe I spoke to 5 wildlife carers 2 vets today that told me the CHE was suitable & use them. I didn’t want to trust it knowing what you said, so I just went got the basking lamp because I can tell more looking at her behaviour she’s not getting quality bask even though she still eats and passes properly. I talked to bearded dragon rep at the store and he’s put me in contact with different Wildlife Vet and some contacts for assistance to make sure I can get the temp right because the last time I set it up to specifications it over heated the basking space. Sadly I can’t install it all today they didn’t have a few things I need. But I think it will right soon. I will post a photo for you to see once it’s done.
As I said before I got her because she lived in horrible conditions before, how she could stay healthy for 2 years is outstanding on her behalf, but I wanted to give her the best life.
Thank you so much!!!

Ok so I am confused--- all 7 people said that you can use ONLY the CHE for basking? Wow! CHE's do not mimic the sun which is what you want--- CHE's do not emit high enough heat to give the dragon what they need specifically UVA- CHE's are good to have to provide supplemental heat but you need the bright white light for her health -- are you taking her outside? Your digital probe thermometer is going to give the info you need regarding temps- the specialist is not going to give you anymore answers that your looking for - follow that probe thermometer --- its going to be trial and error w/ wattages - but you need that gauge-- take the probe place it on the spot where she basks 10 or so minutes then get the temp - 95-100 is what you want ---

 

[Jane333]

Ok so I am confused--- all 7 people said that you can use ONLY the CHE for basking? Wow! CHE's do not mimic the sun which is what you want--- CHE's do not emit high enough heat to give the dragon what they need specifically UVA- CHE's are good to have to provide supplemental heat but you need the bright white light for her health -- are you taking her outside? Your digital probe thermometer is going to give the info you need regarding temps- the specialist is not going to give you anymore answers that your looking for - follow that probe thermometer --- its going to be trial and error w/ wattages - but you need that gauge-- take the probe place it on the spot where she basks 10 or so minutes then get the temp - 95-100 is what you want ---

5 people 2 were vets. I’ve been looking for outside assistance as it’s new to me, so I like having someone else look at everything to be certain. I get so stressed and anxious constantly as I want to do the best for her. As you can see from these posts there’s too many conflicting opinions on her care. I took her to the vet just for check up not because she was seemed sick. Her blood tests tell me she is healthy & didn’t she get scared going there. I plan to take her regularly as I would if I still had dog etc not just for health but to make her confident should she ever need medical care when she is unwell it won’t be scary new experience. obviously that vet was wrong so now I will take her to one recommended by Bearded Dragon guy who sold me the replacement basking lamp moving forward. As for specialists getting the temperatures correct is actually very difficult for a beginner and if it’s easy then maybe it’s not right…and it’s not yet. The set up changes what fittings, understanding your own temps in your living space. The guy I spoke to yesterday explained how I can manage it better. I live in Qld Australia my apartment is basically a mimic of the temp outside. I need those with experience to assist on positioning of probes & how they manage it etc as does change temps hence why I keep asking questions. My apartment does drop very low temps during night the CHE will need to be on timer and cut out when it gets too warm at night otherwise basking lamp comes on. The full kit set up I was sold has ECO Tech thermostat but that only works for the basking lamp and UVB not the che that needs to run at night or occasionally not at all. We have had nights that are 15 followed by next evening 22 and back to 12-14 the following. This needs to be managed properly. People always discuss getting day time temps but night time management information is few and far between. Her enclosure has to combat that. The CHE will need to be automatic on / off and temp controlled. I want to remove potential human error like forgetting to turn on or off.

As for her, we have outside sunshine time everyday it’s warm & sunny enough. I also let her have “adventure time” for a short period where she has climbs up into my low windows. The sun is shifting with the weather so that’s had to reduce as she no longer gets the healthy 37-39 in my window sill or 28 on the floor below. The short period where she can be in those spots is now during my working hours, as sun is shifting so I took time off to assess what’s going on further as she doesn’t appear to want to stay in her enclosure and she can’t be out of the weather is terrible if it’s not warm enough in the spaces she enjoys. it’s warmer weather but in winter the sun created warmer spaces than I have in the apartment now so she needs to stay in her enclosure more.
I know that was long but people only get a small part of the situation and don’t understand all the other factors at play. Previously my issue was it not staying warm enough and swapping out Watt on the CHEs come summer the situation will be keeping her cool spots cool enough whilst also giving her optimum basking. The set up I built her is to combat over heating / reduce outside sun in cool spots and give her mutiple gradients to ensure she has plenty of options to be comfortable. Clearly we aren’t there just yet but we will be.

 

[KarrieRee]

5 people 2 were vets. I’ve been looking for outside assistance as it’s new to me, so I like having someone else look at everything to be certain. I get so stressed and anxious constantly as I want to do the best for her. As you can see from these posts there’s too many conflicting opinions on her care. I took her to the vet just for check up not because she was seemed sick. Her blood tests tell me she is healthy & didn’t she get scared going there. I plan to take her regularly as I would if I still had dog etc not just for health but to make her confident should she ever need medical care when she is unwell it won’t be scary new experience. obviously that vet was wrong so now I will take her to one recommended by Bearded Dragon guy who sold me the replacement basking lamp moving forward. As for specialists getting the temperatures correct is actually very difficult for a beginner and if it’s easy then maybe it’s not right…and it’s not yet. The set up changes what fittings, understanding your own temps in your living space. The guy I spoke to yesterday explained how I can manage it better. I live in Qld Australia my apartment is basically a mimic of the temp outside. I need those with experience to assist on positioning of probes & how they manage it etc as does change temps hence why I keep asking questions. My apartment does drop very low temps during night the CHE will need to be on timer and cut out when it gets too warm at night otherwise basking lamp comes on. The full kit set up I was sold has ECO Tech thermostat but that only works for the basking lamp and UVB not the che that needs to run at night or occasionally not at all. We have had nights that are 15 followed by next evening 22 and back to 12-14 the following. This needs to be managed properly. People always discuss getting day time temps but night time management information is few and far between. Her enclosure has to combat that. The CHE will need to be automatic on / off and temp controlled. I want to remove potential human error like forgetting to turn on or off.

As for her, we have outside sunshine time everyday it’s warm & sunny enough. I also let her have “adventure time” for a short period where she has climbs up into my low windows. The sun is shifting with the weather so that’s had to reduce as she no longer gets the healthy 37-39 in my window sill or 28 on the floor below. The short period where she can be in those spots is now during my working hours, as sun is shifting so I took time off to assess what’s going on further as she doesn’t appear to want to stay in her enclosure and she can’t be out of the weather is terrible if it’s not warm enough in the spaces she enjoys. it’s warmer weather but in winter the sun created warmer spaces than I have in the apartment now so she needs to stay in her enclosure more.
I know that was long but people only get a small part of the situation and don’t understand all the other factors at play. Previously my issue was it not staying warm enough and swapping out Watt on the CHEs come summer the situation will be keeping her cool spots cool enough whilst also giving her optimum basking. The set up I built her is to combat over heating / reduce outside sun in cool spots and give her mutiple gradients to ensure she has plenty of options to be comfortable. Clearly we aren’t there just yet but we will be.

I do not run my Che's during the summer- ambient temps in the tank go to my house temp which is 70's during summer- good sleeping temps for dragons- during the winter that is temps in tank w/ the che on- all you need to do is take that probe place where she sits to bask and get your temp - you want 3 temps in that tank during the day - 95-100 for surface basking- 90's middle of tank and 80's cool side- 65-75 at night- dragons like it cool and dark - I can't help you anymore than that - two bulbs a good uvb- and a good solid bright white basking bulb

 

[Jane333]

I do not run my Che's during the summer- ambient temps in the tank go to my house temp which is 70's during summer- good sleeping temps for dragons- during the winter that is temps in tank w/ the che on- all you need to do is take that probe place where she sits to bask and get your temp - you want 3 temps in that tank during the day - 95-100 for surface basking- 90's middle of tank and 80's cool side- 65-75 at night- dragons like it cool and dark - I can't help you anymore than that - two bulbs a good uvb- and a good solid bright white basking bulb

Thank you. Yes, I’ve had a lot of trouble finding someone to advise other than giving me standard what the temps should be information. everyone I have spoken to past few months uses permanent CHE hooked up to the thermostat so that problem of too hot too cold at night and basking lamp coming on in the middle of the night etc is Eliminated.
Anyway, I think I’ve found my own solution 2 separate thermostats 1 for day and 1 for night to Elimate human error.

 

[xp29]

I run all my setups on two timers, one for morning and one for evening. It just makes it easier.

 

[Jane333]

Well she already seems more content. I had to get her a larger fake basking rock as the Insultation sheeting basking platform heats up too much, and moved her climb so she jumps onto it instead of straight to the ground.
Thanks for all the help and support. I have been anxious and stressed for weeks trying to get her into the best set up I can

 

[KarrieRee]

Well she already seems more content. I had to get her a larger fake basking rock as the Insultation sheeting basking platform heats up too much, and moved her climb so she jumps onto it instead of straight to the ground.
Thanks for all the help and support. I have been anxious and stressed for weeks trying to get her into the best set up I can

Shes gaping that is what you want-- she is adjusting her body temp -- use your probe to keep track of that surface basking temp on the rock shes sitting on - you do not want it over 110-- I would check that spot every 10 days or so --- basking bulbs do get weak over time --

 

[Groggyfroggie]

Did something happen to your beardie after this post?? And you’re certain it has something to do with the basking bulb? I’m very confused about what you’re saying because almost every bearded dragon I’ve seen have at least 1 basking bulb (non-CHE) and 1 uvb bulb in their tank. Every breeder, every reptile store, every reptile vet I’ve seen that talks about bearded dragons care, all make sure these 2 bulbs are the baseline for the health of a bearded dragon. Please elaborate.