Too hot? Gaping bearded dragon

[anenglish15]

Hi all!

Man have I been having a time trying to get Lillie's tank temperatures right!! I had a 65w indoor flood lamp on the "hot side" and just a regular house lamp on the cool side, just for some light. Well, my temps were only at 95 degrees. I've read for juveniles that they need to be at like 105+. She's only about 2 months old. My cool side was about 75 degrees.

Well last night we got our new CHC in the mail, so I put that in the center of the other two bulbs I already have. So now her hot side is like 100 degrees, middle is like 90 degrees and cool side is 80-85 degrees.

Last night, she was sitting in the "middle" section, on her log and gaping A LOT. This morning, same things. Is this okay, or too hot for her? It's definitely warmer than what she's been used to the last few weeks, but they're normal temps from what i've been researching. She was also gaping this morning once the CHC turned on. I left it off last night because the room stays about 75 degrees. She's also been MUCH darker ever since we added the CHC. She might be getting ready to shed soon, maybe that's it? I also read they turn darker when they're trying to absorb heat?

Help please! Also, we no longer have her little water dish in her tank because I read it increases the humidity and is bad for them. But we do soak her nightly for about 5-10 minutes, sometimes longer if she lets us!

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

Firstly what are you using to measure your temperature? 100 degrees doesn't usually induce gaping, although I suppose it could..

By CHC do you mean CHE?

-Brandon

 

[anenglish15]

Hi there,

Firstly what are you using to measure your temperature? 100 degrees doesn't usually induce gaping, although I suppose it could..

By CHC do you mean CHE?

-Brandon

Oh duh. Sorry i'm on work mode and there's abrreviation for CHC at work. Yes, I mean CHE. And I'm using two different temp guns, like the laser ones. And holding them about 2 inches from the surface. I'm checking multiple spots as well.

 

[Claudiusx]

I see.

I would work on find a bulb that gets you the basking temperature you need. Household bulbs are pretty cheap, so it shouldn't hurt too much to buy a few different bulbs and wattages until you find what works for you. The good thing is that once you find it, you know it and don't have to do a bunch of testing anymore.

You really shouldn't use a CHE for a basking bulb. They need a bright white basking bulb.

-Brandon

 

[anenglish15]

I see.

You really shouldn't use a CHE for a basking bulb. They need a bright white basking bulb.

-Brandon

Okay Ill try a different basking bulb. But if I already have a basking bulb that i'm using AND a CHE, doesn't that work? Because she does have both, currently. Thanks for your help