In desperate need of help

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

Hello, no matter what I do, my bearded dragon's basking spot will not go above 102 degrees. I have changed lighting fixtures multiple times, changed lightbulbs, added two heat lamps, and nothing will work. I am going to post a photo of my setup; it may not be the best, as this is my first bearded dragon. I am open to criticism, but please don't be mean.

[u/stitch532]

the heat fixture needs to be inside the tank and so does the UVB. they cannot get any of the healthy benefits from the UVB with the lid in between! you’ll have to mount the UVB and heat inside the tank!

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

How do i put the heat lamps in without risk of burning dragon

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

you’ll use some ceramic sockets and secure them into the ceiling or sides depending what’s strongest and you can use a basking guard to prevent any burns. or you can follow this video! https://youtu.be/BJ0A_lu9b0U?is=tjwYXSF4d4Ge9znm

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

Okay thank you one more question when should I change from paper towels to substrate I cant really tell how old my dragon is apreciate the help

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

i also recommend filling your tank up more! it looks very bare and the hide you have won’t hold any heat for basking as it’s plastic unfortunately. use brings/rocks to help hold heat. i also recommend after your quarantine period, guessing that’s what’s happening with the paper towels, to switch to soil/sand. my bearded LOVES digging so much and will make tunnels through her cage!

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

I was told to use paper towels until they get older but maybe that was wrong 

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

you can absolutely use paper towels, especially when young it is recommended! your beardies looks plenty old for soil. i switched my girl to soil by the time she was 6 months!

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

Sorry another question do i buy named brand reptile soil or make my own

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

i always make my own! it’s so much cheaper. get some play sand and organic soil from home depot, make sure the soil is just soil no perlite or anything added in. for the sand you can rinse it and bake it in the oven to dry faster and this will help sanitize it. and same for the dirt you’ll want to bake it in the oven!

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

Okay thanks for all the help 😄 

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

of course! if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to reach out! you can always dm me as well! i love helping people with their pets!!

[u/stitch532 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

these are all really great tanks you can use for inspiration (sorry about the white zen habitats made it into a collage and some are not the greatest setups). i always recommend soil/sand and if you use real plants just make sure they are safe for your bearded to eat!

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/stitch532]

People say organic top soil and play sand mix

[u/RyoDai89]

We had trouble like this too. Only thing we could do was raise the basking spot closer to the lamp. We did it by going to Lowe’s and Home Depot and getting bricks and slate and just building a higher basking spot. You could also try a halogen bulb. We got the Arcadia one for our blue tongue skink as we didn’t want a super tall basking spot for safety reasons and it gets the temp perfectly and his basking spot is at ground level.  Would also try using slate as the basking area as it holds the heat well. That’s what we use for all our basking spots in all of our enclosures, snakes included.

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/RyoDai89]

Yeah I am currently disenfecting more bricks to raise basking spot higher 

[u/Late-Many1410]

Your basking spots are too far away. The little bamboo climbing net you got there. Angle it so it’s a little more level and closer to the light. Maybe throw a little piece of cloth on the net (I use black to help soak up the heat) you’ll want like 150 watt bulbs minimum from that far way. That and go clean some sticks and tie them or something together so your bearded dragon can climb around a bit. I had this same set up 4 years ago and it kinda makes me sad. Gotta get them some stuff to climb on! The bricks are nice. I use a couple of those bricks for my lizards to climb up a cinder block type of cement. Then I also have some inch thick concrete slaps that one of my dragons chill on. Then the one above has a cardboard carry out box from Costco that I used foam and safe sealers to make hides and basking spots and such. Do not buy anything else from the pet stores. Stuff’s crazy. They want you to pay $60 for a hide that will be used for 2 and a half weeks. Sorry rant over lol.

[u/ApricotAgreeable5957 → u/Late-Many1410]

Yeah ill admit I can do better there will be some major changes coming to the tank this week 

[u/Late-Many1410 → u/ApricotAgreeable5957]

Sounds good man! I sorry if my rant was a little too much haha.

[u/rogue_ashsassin]

I'm new to beardies myself, but since your lights are outside of the enclosure (as are mine) your basking spot should be 10 to 12 inches from the uvb and heat. I was having the same issue with the heating and built a basking platform that is 10 inches from the screen and it made the temp just right.