Reptisun 10.0 question

Hi there my name is Kimmy I've been involved with animal rescue for over 20 years and I've rescued many animals but this is my first bearded dragon and because he was given to me with MBD I want to get it right. He had every deficiency you could think of,he was dehydrated never had proper UVB,heat or nutrition for the first year of his life and he's only a year old.I don't know if it was because it was just before Christmas and nobody wanted to be bothered or I'm just a bleeding heart but euthanization was spoke of that one time because there would be too much care in trying to bring him back. But I seen fight in this little guy and I wasn't going to give up if he wasn't. Long story short I took him home with me. I did everything that I was told as well as researched thoroughly to my eyeballs fell out. The problem I'm having is there's much conflicting information coming my way not only via the vet but Reptile Specialist / professionals other beardie owners Etc. I have many questions but I don't want to make it confusing so I'm going to focus on one thing at a time. My first question being in reference to a reptisun 10.0 4 ft tube light that I purchased. I'm having a new enclosure currently built that is 6 ft long and a 4ft fixture seemed appropriate as well as I already own many of those fixtures because I'm an avid gardener. It's a T8 fixture. He came with a combination 75 Watt bulb that is currently over a natural slate basking Rock . It might have worked for his 20 gallon when lowered but it needs to be upgraded for heat purposes .If I'm correct in my research,I can run a regular par35 or 38 halogen bulb alongside the reptisun and I do not need additional UVB correct? That I only need light and heat at this point correct? That a combination bulb at this point would be useless and too much UVB ?That if I use additional UVB bulb with the reptisun 10.0 it could be too much and actually cause burns is that my understanding? It may be because I'm fair-skinned and blond but I know that bulb is putting out a lot I perhaps had my arm too long in the enclosure but I feel slightly burned today. Any ways to sum up my post I would like to know if the UVB lighting should run the entire length of the enclosure and disperse evenly throughout the tank or should the UVB light be concentrated in one area and not have any at all in one area? He's currently being housed in an approximate 35-gallon see-through tote that's been properly disinfected and lined with gardening pictures on three sides to prevent reflection. He can clearly see out the front.I'm using paper towels in the bottom but he gets a bath everyday so that's where he poops. One side is sunny and warm approx 95 under basking light,on a digital.85 middle, 79/80 cool side.2 slate basking rocks and the other side is more woodsy with a wood tunnel to hide in a piece of Malaysian Driftwood a fake fern and a spot to hide. I used a metal Shelf that comfortably sits across the tote so that the 4ft fixture can rest easily on it then I used outdoor chicken wire for the Basking light to set on with a lip so that it could not slide off into the tote. Everything is secured and neat and no points or sharp pieces sticking out where injury could occur. Lights are turned out at night total darkness until the morning .I couldn't bare to keep him in that 20 gallon tank until his enclosure was so this is where the large tote comes in. Normally I wouldn't keep a dragon in something like this but unfortunately in his circumstances it takes time to build the proper enclosure if it's being done custom. He could live 10 years or more so he needs a life-long home not something I want to upgrade in time. He doesn't walk on his back legs he has some paralysis that were working on so at this point it's not like there's a whole lot of Mobility but he does have Mobility from the front. He's definitely more alerts and has better coloring. I'm trying to do everything perfectly and I'm probably making myself crazy LOL he currently eats superworms obviously dusted and I cut them up before serving so that they're better chewed but they're higher in fat and he needed the weight and nutrition. He has black soldier fly larvae coming in because I was told it has the proper amount of phosphorus and calcium ratio and do not need to be dusted and theyre a good staple food for a dragon with severe MBD. I ordered them from a reputable breeder that gutloads them and feeds them probiotics. That's another thing I make sure I gutload all of his superworms with vegetables and off-the-shelf food.He occasionally gets a hornworm if I can get small ones. He's smaller than he should be so I have to treat him like a smaller younger beardie.He also is fed squash baby food with supplement through a syringe as well as a green slurry made out of collard and mustard greens. He was never taught to eat greens so im working on that but he's at least getting Greens in a slurry. I hope I included everything you need to know.I always wanted a bearded dragon but refrained because through research it just seems like it is not a beginner pet like the pet stores try to tell you. It does require money time and Specialized Care. He is cool as hell and very intelligent but he's been through a lot. I have many other questions but I wanted to simplify it. Also in regards to the lighting when they say the light should it be on one side, do they mean left to right or front to back? There's also some conflicting information about the inches it should be away from the dragon. Tthe company says it emits proper UVB for bearded dragons up to 20 in and should be placed no closer than 6 to 8 in . And that 6-8 inches may be proper for some UVB bulbs but with the reptisun being high output it may be too much for some if it's too close. The company States this bulb was secifically made to help reptiles needing high output such as bearded dragons and bearded dragons with MBD. That it does work properly up to 20 inches away. Because it's made for bigger enclosures that might be deeper or higher.I called the company. Who knows if they're giving out correct information or not . Thank you kindly for any help I appreciate it.

Hi Kimmy ! How nice of you to be so interested in this poor dragon. First question [ I apologize if I missed it ] Is the 10.0 a t5 or a t8 ? A t5 is a VERY skinny tube but is actually stronger than t8. A t8 will never produce enough uvb even past 11"/ The t5 will reach up to abot 11-12". The fixture need only cover about a third of the tank. BTW, with MBD that affects mobility the dragon is best kept in a smaller tank actually. It would be VERY helpful if you post pics of the dragon, the current set up, the one you are prepping as well as the bulbs. And yes, halogen bulbs are great. Basking spot should be at about 100. Here's how to post pics :

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to upload them

Hello and, welcome!!!
You question is a common one here.
The reptisun T8 10.0 is NOT a High Output bulb, they have to be within 8' of your dragon without obstruction (no screen) to be effective.
The T5 10.0 is a High Output and, it's effective range (no closer than 10' and no farther than 18") is much better. Also an Arcadia 12%D3 is a little stronger.
It breaks my heart to to think that someone could do that to a creature and, try to get it put down because THEY SCREWED UP by neglecting his needs. I am glad you took him in, now he might have a chance with the proper care and, patience. Only time will tell.

Hi there thank you for the replies I will enclose a photo of his old tank it had a stick on thermometer which I do not recommend and a digital which I do not recommend I have a probe that's more accurate. I will also enclose a another photo of his new temporary enclosure that I made out of the tote. I turned the repti sun 10.0 lighting fixture on for photo purposes but it has been off until I get confirmation on my questions I don't want to use it with the other bulb until I know how it should be properly used. I did not realize the T5 was more powerful than the T8 I purchased the T8 because I already had the fixtures and for gardening purposes the other bulbs give out more lumens per wattage they're just more efficient for gardening purposes. The packaging for the repti son said hi output I assumed it was the highest they had. So does that mean that the bulb will have to be closer correct? He doesn't look too bad now I've had him since the Saturday before Christmas. He was Skin and Bones very dark couldn't lift his head so skinny and lifeless. He's gained a lot of weight and he keeps his head up now I know it's temperatures are correct on his basking Rock because he gapes. If the temperature is above 95 he seems to move off of the rock it could be because the Slate holds in heat that is not registering on the probe. I think the current 75 watt bulb that came with him is working as far as his basking spot in his new enclosure but it's not enough heat for the rest of the enclosure to maintain the proper gradients. That's why I was asking about the halogen bulb. I want to make sure that I can change this combination 75 watt UVB bulb out with just a regular halogen if I'm going to be using the reptisun 10.0 I also want to be sure on the correct height of the reptisun 10.0 and yes it is a T8 unfortunately I made a mistake. I should have purchased a new fixture and a T5. With his permanent enclosure I probably will do that. Money is not an issue when it comes to health and life or I just shouldn't have taken him on. It's my responsibility to financially afford it if I'm going to take him on. Anyways I have further questions but I have some work to do I hope you guys will kindly help me thank you. I've enclosed photos of his old tank that he came with minus any flower photos,any hiding thing or plant/ dish. they absolutely had nothing in his tank but a small basking rock that was too high for him to get up and on being paralyzed. The new temporary tote that I moved him to yesterday is just slightly more spacious not real big. I won't be moving him to his permanent enclosure until I can get more Mobility out of him. Im using his old lamp to be safe until I get responses from you guys. I want to know the correct positioning of the Basking lamp with the repti sun fixture that I have. The fixture is larger than the tote right now but the fixture will be appropriate for his permanent enclosure. Could you guys or gals recommend changing something purchasing something doing something different again I'll be back later I have some work to do I appreciate it.

His body condition looks over all pretty good, nice job getting some meat on his bones . And that's a nice temporary enclosure, it may be the best thing for him now . The reality is that he may not regain much if any hind leg function [ it IS possible but it's not highly likely to happen ] so that little home may be just right for him. The basking bulb you have can be used in conjunction with any uvb bulb. The basking bulb does not produce uvb unless it's a mercury vapor bulb [ MVB ] . Unless it's a Megaray or an off brand, the MVB's don't come in 75 watts. Even then it would be fine with the t8 10.0 or the t5.


BTW, be very careful with feeding him superworms, his back end is partially paralyzed now and superworms can be much harder to digest + pass so try to get softer worms [ silkworms are great ] or medium crickets + dubia roaches.

I forgot to add this picture, the t5 HO is on the left , the t8 is on the right. And yes, use the bulb ASAP, he needs every ray he can get.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/30010/full


BTW if it's warm out where you live you can actually put his tub out in the sun, but NOT if it's over 75 F. The plastic will heat up too much at that temp.

Hi there again the bulb is actually a Zoo Med repti basking spot lamp it provides heat, daylight,basking and UVA. This is why I'm relying on the Rick Dees son for UVB I just need to make sure of correct positioning in my new enclosure could you please advise? So you think that new tote is okay for him with his MBD? The 20-gallon seems too small for him do you think it's better to leave him in the tote or the 20 gallon tank? It is a T8 reptisun 10.0 4ft so it should be exactly how many inches from him please advise. Because if I have to change something to accommodate him I will. Also the superworms were to put fat on his body cause you could see his bones but I cut them up into pieces because it'd be easier to chew that way. I found conflicting information on the superworms I was in fear feeding him those for exact reason you stated but then I was told if I cut them up and don't feed him too many at once and make sure he gets his slurry or veggies at the same time he should be okay as long as he has the correct heat and light. If I have found undigested pieces of superworms in his feces would you attribute that to heat light or just the warm itself? I have ordered him black fly larvae through symtom because they're good for dragons with MBD they have a good ratio of phosphorus to calcium and they don't need to be dusted and he gut loads them and feed them probiotics before they're even shipped. Theyre a lot smaller than the superworms so I figured I'm going to feed him those for a while. I actually got him to eat some raw pieces of collard greens today so that's a positive but you have to put him in his mouth a little ways. So if you could please advise on leaving them him in the tote or transforming back to the 20 gallon because of the MBD?and have you ever heard of the black fly larvae from symton? What are your thoughts on it and also again confirm how many inches the T8 reptisun 10.0 has to be from the dragon to be effective thanks again I appreciate it.oh I live in Upstate New York it's winter here there's no way he can go outside but I intend to bring him out this summer.

That was supposed to say I'm relying on the repti sun for UVB but my phone typed Rick Dee and I didn't catch the typos LOL

I forgot to add should I leave the setup on the temporary tote as is? The Basking bulb in the corner like that and the reptisun across the back side and leave the front with no UVA so he can escape it or should the entire tote have UVA?

Beardiecosmo2019":241gi9v5 said:

I forgot to add should I leave the setup on the temporary tote as is? The Basking bulb in the corner like that and the reptisun across the back side and leave the front with no UVA so he can escape it or should the entire tote have UVA?

Click to expand...

The reptisun provides UVA as well I believe.

Cutting up the supers def. help but there's still some risk. Bsfl from Symtom should still be lightly dusted 2-3 X a week, they don't provide D3 even if high in calcium.

The t8 will not do much good, you'll need a t5 unless the t8 could be within 8-10" of him. It's still best to put it over him though, and keep him in whichever enclosure is sorter so he is as close the the uvb as possible.


And I knew that you didn't mean to type " Rick Dees ." One of the funniest auto correct errors I ever read was when someone meant to type in the word cloaca but it came out on the post as " copacabana ." :lol:

Ya, Rick Dees and, his Cast of Idi ots did, Disco Duck, LOL!!! This is the song I play to make the granddaughters shrink into the seats of the car at Sonic Drive Inn, "It's a Grandpa Thing" :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Gor, no you don't !! How cruel ! Maybe they'll Rickroll you. [ Although that " Rick Astley " song is a good one, unlike Disco Duck ]

BTW, O.P. has your beardie poo'd O.K so far ? Or are the supers coming out undigested ?

You guys are funny with the Rick Dees comments I should have checked first what an ***** LOL anyhow the superworms are hit and moat days his poo looks great the urine is white not yellow and everything is formed but not too hard where he's dehydrated but a couple of times pieces of the superworms did pass through yes they did not digest properly so I am assuming that is from improper light correct? I never thought about the D3 with the soldier fly larvae good thing you mentioned that I do have reptile calcium with Vitamin D and multivitamin that I use now. I added to his flurries and live insects as well as sprinkle some on any greens I can get him to eat which is not easy LOL but he took collard greens today. The trick is to cut them in little slivers and wiggle it a little into his mouth so he basically has no choice LOL but he took four or five pieces from me and didn't turn his head. You know when he's done cause he turns his head like a brat LOL I find that so funny. They have quite the personalities I'm learning a lot but I just want to get it right. I have a lot of experience with cats, dogs,ferrets fuzzy animals,reptiles are fairly new to me although we had a lot of them in our family growing up. It was usually my brothers who owned them, and they probably weren't too good at it being kids lol Anyhow thank you for the information on the repti sun bulb I understand it now I probably should have bought a new fixture and went with the T5 had I been more informed. I'm also thinking why don't I just go with a mercury vapor bulb??? wouldn't that take care of everything and be just one light needed? am I correct that they do everything or am I misinformed about them as well? I went with the 4ft reptisun because I thought it was the best for a dragon recovering from MBD and I chose T8 just because I had the fixtures. I have eight of them because again I Garden I grow a lot of food. I will be growing any other food he will be eating. I guess I never thought about the output the package did say up to 20 in but that could be a selling point. So for now I'm going to stick with the repti sun 10.0 which has been on now and I'm going to move his Driftwood over so that he can get on the high point of it near the Bulb that will put him 8 or slightly less from the bulb. I'm going to position the Driftwood so it's stable and part of it is under the heat source and part of it is under the reptisun. At the foot of it I will leave the smaller piece of Basking slate. So if he wants to bask at a lower level on the warm rock he can.I'm going to put that Driftwood over so that he can get closer to the reptisun now that i understand it. I've only had him a couple weeks I wish I joined the forum earlier.I had been reading posts but all this information can be confusing. I wasn't expecting to take this bearded dragon on or I would have been more prepared. It was literally a rescue.I had to pay someone for this sick dying bearded dragon because they just looked at him as property and they didn't see a problem with him dragging his legs around the tank. I went to someone's house with a friend and discovered this dragon it was devastating to see the condition he was in. I'm no expert but I know when a living being is dragging his back legs that's a serious matter. I literally had to treat this like any other rescue I'm involved with and negotiate with these people for the release of this dragon. I paid for him in the end and his equipment that was no good but I just wanted to help him. I don't have any hands-on experience other than my friends owning them but I have studied and researched quite a bit because I wanted one but never thoroughly dove into the specifics. I wish I never purchased the t8 and I probably will not be using it much longer. I will put it away for an emergency and either purchase a mercury vapor bulb if someone confirms that's the best for my set up at this current moment or I'm going to buy a new fixture and buy a T5 and continue with building the 6-foot enclosure but obviously there's no rush to put him in it cause again his back legs don't move very well.the one I think has potential but the other one may have suffered a fracture at one time as what the vet believes. It could have been from that high-perch thing they had or improper handling because of the MBD. Looking at the photos I posted he definitely is not the same Dragon I took in a couple weeks ago. But after speaking with all of you I realized that his improvements are due to nutrition and heat obviously not proper light which is already improving thanks to you guys! Between the vet information and online research and other places it was becoming very confusing and contradicting in a lot of areas. I actually purchase that bulb thinking I was purchasing the best. I even special-ordered it .i wished I was more informed LOL I thank you all I have other questions but I'll get back to you later. I'm actually going to skip the superworms and feed him more soft-bodied insects for now until the soldier flies larvae come in. If someone could tell me what they feel in their opinion is the best Bulb for my temporary tote set up that would be great do you think of mercury vapor bulb would just be easier and take care of the whole thing? What do you guys feel like I should just stick with what I have and just get a halogen bulb in that spotlight fixture? I have the options of a 20 gallon tank or this tote right now because I am having a six foot enclosure custom built by Carpenter I was going to be using something like azek or melamine, which is white water resistant material with stainless steel screws.i what is going to have glass or plexiglass front that came out in two pieces and a screened lid that opens on hinges with a strip going across and that's where I was going to mount the 4ft fixture. Leaving two extra feet for Basking/hot area. If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to them.I just want what's best for this Dragon I would have never allowed an animal to get this far but unfortunately some people don't always do what's right. He doesn't look too bad in the photos but I assure you his mobility and mentality is just slightly off. I feel for the little guy I want to show him that life can be good he's so young. He's cute as a button.

I also wanted to mention I bathe him daily so that he poops in the water that way he is not pooping in his enclosure and it's working out. Also so I can see what it looks like right away an empty the water and refill with clean. I also have chlorinated water so I have to boil water for this little guy after it has set 24 hours for the chlorine to settle or I have to buy spring water LOL in which I do for his drinking water LOL I know everyone thinks I'm obsessive but this is what it takes to properly care for him and hopefully bring him back., please don't think I'm nuts I'm just trying to do everything right if you had seen the condition this little guy was in your heart would have broke. I'm also trying to include any information that might be helpful for answers but I don't think this has anything to do with the lights LOL but if anyone could please confirm what would they buy if they had my tote right now? Opinions and suggestions are welcomed!