The pic of him sitting on the wire is where the probe needs to be ---- the probe will pick up ambient temp when suctioned to the tank but its not going to give you an accurate basking temp- if hes sitting there all day then he may be too cold but we wont know till you take the actual basking temp of where hes sitting - he will move if its too hot --- I would recommend you get a Infrared heat gun from Home Depot or Lowes etc --- they are around $10-12 and give an accurate temp
Karrie
The t8 version needs to be around 8 inches from the basking surface. Being placed on top of a screen cuts the strength of the bulb around 30-40% depending on how fine the screen is. So, the t8 on top of the screen would need to be really close, which is why we recommend mounting it either unobstructed by the screen, or under the screen.
Valerie876":1gwrwhvo said:
I believe the probe thermometer is supposed to be suction cupped on the glass and that is why it is reading so high. Because the end of the probe is touching the surface
No, you want the probe touching the surface. the 105-110 range we recommended is for the basking surface temp. 121 is too hot, you need to either lower the basking surface, or raise the bulb higher. Basically, just create a bigger distance so that you get your basking surface to 105-110.
Valerie876":1gwrwhvo said:
I read some where that if they are not mouth gaping then they are probably not hot enough.
This is not true. Mouth gaping is a method they have to thermoregulate, but it doesn't mean that their temperatures are too hot or too cold if they do or don't do it. It's like us sweating. We can be too hot without sweating. They can be too hot and not mouth gape.
Sure, he won't let himself overheat if he has cool areas to go to, but if the spot he has to bask in is too hot, he won't stay long enough to properly digest his food. And that will start a large cascade of health issues.
So what you really need to do is, make sure your reptisun is 8 inches or so from the basking surface, unobstructed.
And get your basking surface temp in the 105-110 range.
He ate around 15baby Dubia Roaches today and would’ve eaten more if I had let him! He had another normal poop. I ordered a t5 bulb and hood and it’s on the way! Thank you!
Wow, it really sounds like your baby is doing much better now! That is very good news.
Since he is starting to eat more that is a great improvement. I think the improved lighting
will help him even more.