Fine tuning temps

Ok so with a ton of help my cage is all done. I have the Herpstat setup CHE for my heat source. (I know UTH is preferred but just couldn't pull it off in this cage without blowing budget = long story).

I am now trying to fine tune temps. I have the Herpstat probe in a mounting bracket sticking straight up about 4" off of the substrate. It is set to 86.5 so I could achieve that 92 hot spot and a warm hide (Exo-Terra medium cave). Humidity is 55-65 most days.

I was just reading a thread that said ambient should be below 85. 2/3's of my cage is 78-84 from cool to warm. Is my 86.5 on the hot side a touch too hot? should I just lower it to 85?

no, if you are using a CHE or Heat bulb the hot side is going to be hotter than 85. It is when you are using a UTH (which doesn't change the air temperature in the cage) that you can't the air temperature in the cage to be lower.

In this type of setup the UTH provides the basking temperature at ground level, and you keep the air temperature constant through out the cage (Around 80 degrees)

When using a CHE or heat lamp your only option is to provide a thermal gradient with the air temperature. as long as the cool side is between 78-82 degrees and the hot side is between 88-92 degrees, you will be fine.

Should I have the ambient higher on the hot side then say 88?

When I was using a Heat lamp, I had it set to 90 on the hot side and I kept the cool side at 80. My herpstat's probe was mounted at the surface of the substrate directly under the heat lamp.

So I just want the surface around 90-92 then? I have a hot spot that is 92 for surface temps and ambient is 86-86.5 That is ok?

I am probably overly concerned. She has eaten well for me twice in a row now and had bowel movements and a perfect shed so it seems all is well. I just don't want to accidentally cook her. The temp gradient actually seems to be nice an gradual but she does spend most of her time at the cool side. So far even after she has eaten. I caught her basking at night on the hot side a few days after her first meal. I guess she know what she wants so I shouldn't really worry but inexperience and all.

It sounds like your temperatures are fine, BP's can have cage temperatures slightly higher than the ideal range as long as they have a cool side to cool off in. (but your temps sound perfect to me, nothing to be worried about)

Thanks! She seems really happy. My 7 year old daughter has fallen in love with her and my wife likes reptiles but really only enjoys handling BP's. I couldn't be happier and thanks again for all the amazing help.