BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hello!!
So I know the tenperatures needed for each side of the tank for the thermal gradient. The basking side 30-35 (though i have seen 35-38) and the cool side around 21-24. Please correct if i am wrong c:

Well my temperatures are okay, but not great as it can get pretty cold at night since there isnt any heating in my bedroom. My basking spot is around 30 degress celcius and my cool end is around 20-23 degrees. My blue tongue was a very avid eater when i got her and now she doesnt eat much at all, even eggs dont rly entice her.

I know I havent had her for long, only a week but just wondering if i should adjust my temperatures. My last blue tongue who wasnt as shy spent mostly all day and all night in the hot area.

This blue tongue is only around 6 months old, a good size, and has been pooing and drinking water. She was super active yesterday and now hasnt left her hide.

Im not too concerned about her hiding because most blue tongues do that and it is normal behaviour i am mostly asking about temperatures and if i need to increase them, and if so how can i increase them? Should i get a higher watt infrared lamp (which is what i have) i keep that on 24 hours a day bc they said it was ok for night and day use (is it?)

And i use uvb during the day and switch it off at night. Or should i get a heat mat or ceramic heater to warm it a bit?

ALSO another question. My Uv light is pretty far away but i can put it closer. But how close is TOO close, can that danage them or burn them if they get too close?

Hi Cedar, I see you're in Australia but what part? And what species? 30C is probably ok for this time of year but if it were me I'd like it a bit hotter, around the 35C+ mark. Mite find it'll eat more readily with a hotter bask area. If your cool end stays around 20, dont worry too much about how hot it gets as it'll choose where it wants, just make sure it cant burn itself on anything under the lamp. Do away with the infra red, overpriced and burn out way sooner than they should. Grab some 40w spot bulbs from bunnings and run it about 8 inches from the bask area, way cheaper and that should get the temps your after. Doesnt need to go overnight, inside a house is way warmer than the poor old mates outside this time of year lol. Bare in mind it is still very chilly if down south and you've only had it a week so it could be just settling in. This info is basically for Blotchies or maybe easterns, if you have a northern or anyhting else then disregard as I have no experience with them. Im sure others will chime in also mate. In regards to your uv, anything more than a foot away I think your wasting your money. Good supplemented diet would get my vote. Good luck! :-)

Thank you for the reply!
So should I turn the infrared lamp off at night? I didn't for my last one because he loved sleeping under it haha

I have an eastern and I'm from Melbourne. The weather changes so fast it was hot a few days ago and today it was cold then hot then cold again haha Australia weather omg

So should I move my UV closer? I heard that the closer it is the better? But then it would be around 15-20cms away, would that be too close? I'm actually getting a clamp light holder soon. For my infrared I'm putting it on a lamp stand and shining it in, while the uv is in a dome. The set up isn't super convenient haha so waiting for my clamp light to ship in.

Yes but my skink is still settling in and not eating her veggies yet :c she's had some protein and I'm waiting on the calcium powder to be shipped in too ^^

Uv at 30cm is probably best, but honestly with good diet and supplement it may not be required, although that's as far as ill go into that can of worms. I think I did read somewhere that uv globes lower than that tend to be more side on than above which may not be good for the animals eyes. As far as heat goes just keep the red globe till it blows (wont be long haha) and replace with a spot type one or something. clamp lamps are great, if you have it set up further away you'll have to get higher wattage globe, the closer it is the smaller the wattage, just need it to get to around 35c in basking area. Get a laser thermometer, cheap as hell on ebay. They don't need overnight heat (at least blotchies dont, but they're tough as nails) so dont be afraid to turn it off at night.