Beardie Heat

Question
QUESTION: Hey Diane,Sorry to bug you again. But my aunt the vet insisted me to ask you this question (btw she agrees with everything you have said so far and insist I come to you for my questions lol)

The tank I have its the 18x18x24 tall,I have the basking light set up and its a 100 watt bulb,I have a stick she can climb up the cage under the basking light so she gets about 6-8 inces from the bulb,Well I have the thermometer probe taped on the tree where the light is hitting it directly and the basking area is right around 108 degrees. And the cooler side of the cage is right at 85 degrees. When I tried to put the basking spot closer to the floor,the max temperature I could only get was around 95-99 degrees and it fluctuated all the time hence why I put the limb up so he can climb and get closer to the light.

Now with all that said she was concerned that I may be "cooking her" because I do have a smaller tank. She has also spent most of the night on the ground in the front of the cage clawing and jumping at the front of the glass,and she only went to bask for a few minutes and came right back down to go in the corner and climb and jump at the glass again.

Shes not keeping her mouth open that will show her over heating and shes not going on the cool side of the tank now is she trying to take shelter in a hide or lay in her water bowl,so I dont think its to hot,but she just wants me to double check with you and get your expect opinion on this matter. Thanks again =)

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,
The jumping at the glass is called glass dancing..they do that when they want attention.  Really cute, isn't it?
Beardies will actually open their mouths to cool down..its normal for them to do so..you just have to make sure it isn't too hot for them..thats why the thermometers are so vital.
In the picture, I see you have tape over the probe... try just taping the wire and keep the tape off the probe itself as that may prevent a true reading..  Maybe take a zip tie and at the very tip of the probe where the little tab is, wrap the zip tie around that and to the branch.
6-8 inches is pretty close to the bulb... what you can do is to keep the height, but move the branch just off center of the basking light..going toward the UVB light as to keep the good uvb on your beardie. Being that close to the uvb tube is fine..I'm not crazy about being that close to a basking light.  Another test to do is to place your hand..palm down under the light where the beardie would lay... how does the back of your hand feel?  Is it comfortable or does it feel like a hole is burning into your hand?
Notice how I always give you more things to check or possibly change?? lol!!  
Oh..you might want to turn the UTH heater on for the night if your room is getting lower than about 70.  
Also, keep in mind..the basking temperature is a gradient..slowing rising from 95-105(a little higher for the baby)... what this means is that were the basking area starts should be 95 degrees... raising gradually to the middle 105 degrees..and then of course, slowing dropping in temperature past the middle. If the 100 watt bulb makes it too hard to get good temps,while staying  a correct distance to to UVB tube, then you may have to go to a 75 watt bulb...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey I'll change what ever I need to change to get her temp just where she needs to be. Well when the lights went put she actually went in the cool side where the hide is,but I don't think it gets below 70 there sitting at 85 right now with everythig off. I have a dimmer switch I used for the heater could I use that for the light? The reason I ask is if I move her stick back towards the UVB bulb she won't be under the light anymore and I don't know if she will get the heat,or am I just totally wrong with thinking that? Hahaha  

Btw when can I start taking her out and playing with him? He's a fast little devil so I have to be careful he doesn't jet on me. Lol thanks again

Answer
Most basking bulbs (other that MV) allow you to use a dimmer on them. If you have the box, it should say if you can or can't..or check the site..but as I said, most can be used with a dimmer.
If you move the branch, then, of course you get to play with the temperatures..again.  As long as the temps are in the basking range needed, its fine if he isn't directly under the basking light, but of course, under BOTH lights is the best to aim for.
You can start getting him used to your hands in the cage..the more he gets comfy climbing on your hand in there, the better chance of him not trying to jump off your hand when you take him out. Base it on how he reacts to your hand in the cage as to when to take him out.  Do keep in mind that he is little and when out, it can't be for too long as he will cool quickly.
Smart lil beardie already knows how to use the different temperature zones.. a very good sign.
Don't over stress him with too much too soon.  Many times they act like the brave little monsters for the first few days, then stress sets in so its best to go slow and try to prevent that stress period.