Hello! First time BTS owner here!!

[Lostinbrum]

Hello everyone!!

I was hoping some of you lovely experts could give me a hand in my BTS set up?? Ive spent literally hours trawling the net looking at caresheets etc which all seem to contradict each other but ive read the one on here a few times and am basing what i do around that.

I had a corn for a few years which moved onto new pastures so had a viv sitting empty so I decided to put something in it and after doing lots of research settled on a skink as it sounds like the right sort of lizard for me Ive put a deposit on a nice sept 11 BTS from a reputable rep store near me and am trying to get my viv sorted before i collect it at some point this week. Ive got a wooden 3ft viv but im having trouble getting the temp gradient right. Ive got a 60w reflector heat lamp and a dimmer thermostat.

I put the temp probe in various spots for an hour or two and adjust the dimmer thermostat to try to get it right. Basically what im getting at the mo is: Basking spot 39-40C (102-104F), hot end a few inches up from substrate 26-27C (79-80F), cool end 25C (77F). I think my basking spot and cool end is too hot and my hot end is too cool

My thinking is the basking spot is too close to the lamp and I dont know if ive got my temp sensor for the thermostat in the right place? its by the lamp in the corner you cant see it, thats my thermometer under the lamp doing my testing!

Also when i put my hand on the basking platform its only warm and my humidity is ridiculous its in the high 60s and 70s.

This is the setp atm. I know its a bit bare but there is only so much money i can spend in one day without passing out! Ive got the fixtures for a UV lamp fitted already so i just need to go get a bulb tomorrow.

If anyone can point me in the right direction and tell me what im getting wrong it would be really appreciated!
Thanks
Claire

[A.VinczeBTs]

I think a basking spot of 100 and over is too high, I aim for mid 90's, like 92-96. Cool end is fine, it's not too cool. Reduce the basking spot heat, and the hot end should be fine as long as it's still around 75-80 and cool end is great around 70s.

Otherwise looks great, how big is it?

[Katrina]

The temps are pretty good, I don't think there is an issue with 102-104 at all, but you could try to dim it a bit more. The best things for cooling the other end down would be better ventilation, but try dimming the heat lamp a bit more and see how much that cools the other end. I wouldn't worry about the hot end temperatures, get a basking spot the right temp and a cool end the right temp and they can figure out what they need in between.

[smex14]

Hi lostinbrum!

Welcome

Whereabouts in brum are you from? I'm a local too yay! Not so many BTS in the UK it seems, nice to see you here.

[Kbell31]

[batsam]

!!
can't wait to see some pics of your new friend