Bearded dragon help (anyone who can help)

[Alisha OK]

I don't know if my bulb is default or what. but my temp is reading at 85
I'm stressed out and i know the beardie is too

 

[Germ]

What are you measuring it with, what wattage is the bulb (Is it the 150W day bulb?), what type of fixture is it in (wide or narrow dome), how far away is it from the point that you are measuring? Once again a pic would help greatly.

Edit: Try it in your narrower clamp on fixture sitting on the screen, may help to make the heat radiate more directional ...

 

[Alisha OK]

For some reason my pictures wont upload, i was lucky to get that picture of finn.
Ill give you the specifics
http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/deluxe-xl-bearded-dragon-kit.htm
that is the tank i have. and yes my light is 150 watt day bulb. wide domes as well. 85 degrees is about half way up the tank where his basking is

 

[Germ]

85 Directly on the basking spot or still on the back wall at the same height as the basking spot? Have you gotten a digital thermometer?

 

[Alisha OK]

On the spot

 

[Germ]

That enclosure run down doesn't help much, we would have to see how it is setup now, in order to help. How far away from the bulb is the basking spot & is the dome sitting directly on the screen so all heat & light is radiated inside the enclosure? What are you measuring the temps with?

 

[Alisha OK]

just on sec, ill take a picture with my laptop

 

[Alisha OK]

I got a lend of my friends temperature gun thing haha

 

[Germ]

How are you taking the temps without lifting or removing the screen? Are you using the temp Gun properly?

http://www.beardeddragonforum.com/i...ed-thermometers-temp-guns.5874/#axzz20ZHC5AqW

 

[Germ]

Try this ...

Take the working thermometer off of the back wall, it is useless there anyway. Put the 150W bulb in your smaller, narrower fixture, place it about 3/4 of the way towards one side of the enclosure. Place the larger heavier branch\stump (looks to be kind of a tripod thing so should stand on it's own) - not the thin stick, with the topmost point centered directly below the middle of the 150W bulb. Place the UVB fixture right beside, touching the fixture holding the 150W bulb. Reach in & place the working thermometer that you removed from the back wall & place it on top of the larger stumps highest point, directly below the center of the 150W bulb. Leave it there for 30 minutes, then look in & see what it is reading.

 

[Alisha OK]

the screen was off when i took the temperature.

 

[Alisha OK]

the smaller narrow fixure only holds 60 watts

 

[Germ]

So if the screen & lights weren't in place, how did you expect to get accurate temps . The Temp Gun won't work for you either in this application because you can't take the temps without lifting or removing the screen & lights. You need a digital thermometer with a sensor, as has been mentioned before. Trying the above scenario will give you much closer actual temps.

 

[Germ]

the smaller narrow fixure only holds 60 watts

Then try the same scenario with the larger fixtures. I only suggested the narrower one because it would allow your 2 bulbs to be closer together.

 

[Alisha OK]

Germ,
I cannot thank you enough for your advice and help.
Ive been calling around my area and theres a man in the area well known for his reptile care who has offered to take finnegan off my hands and provide me with another dragon.
He's going to try to feed him, and just provide what he needs. as well, he's going to take my tank and set it up properly so that this problem wont occur again. Your help has been greatly appreciated, and I figure he'll help me more too since i can go see and talk to him about specifics.
He is also going to keep me updated on finnegan too in case I want to re purchase him in the future.

as hard as it is, i felt the decision is best for finn, he's a good dragon and deserves a lot better

Alisha & Finn

 

[Germ]

 

[Alisha OK]

Update:
So, I'm leaving the bearded dragon world. not because of choice, but because of fate.
The man who's taking finnegan rescued a blizzard leopard gecko and got him back to health. he's a year old and is a beauty ! he's been looking for home for him so i figured id take him ! I've had leo's before so why not take him in
hope you guys will continue to have success with your beardies and ill def be stopping in to see pictures and things

 

[Germ]

Sorry to see you go, good luck in your future endeavors.

 

[Pat B]

Sorry to see you go and good luck with whatever you do....You are doing what you think is best for your beardie and in my book....that is the bottom line.

 

[Alisha OK]

Hey guys!
update:
New thermometer that works excellent
new dragon with a BIG appetite
doesn't mind being handled, and often licks me haha not sure why
and i gonna start tomorrow with getting him used to me, should i start by picking him up or just letting him get use to my hand ? Finn used to run away, this guy hasn't yet, but if he does will they grow out of it?

Thanks guys, you are the best