I dont think my beardie is getting enough UVB!

Rocco · Nov 5, 2008

I walked in my living room and saw my beardie at the highest part of his grapevine jungle, as close as he could get to the crappy ESU UVB linear fluorescent light as he could... and he was shaking like he was shivering. The tank on that side was 78 degrees though..... I read that spasms or twitches like that can be caused by not enough UVB light!

Help!

I dont think that the ESU UVB lamp is able to get any UVB down to where he is, right around 11" off the floor on his basking spot. I'm thinking about rushing out and getting a TREX MVB bulb. I have a Megaray I JUST ordered tonight, but i was told this problem is serious and I shouldnt even try to wait for the megaray.

zimbabwepegasus · Nov 5, 2008

I don't think that a week is going to make the difference...
If you've got the money, go ahead and buy the T-Rex (be forewarned, there are about $80 in a store) and just save the Megaray for next year.

How old is your beardie?
What size tank is he in?
How old is the ESU?
How close is it to where he normally hangs out?

Shakes are signs of quite serious metabolic bone disease and I would think it's unlikely without you having seen other signs. If he really climbed up a jungle vine.. I would lean toward he's okay....

Rocco · Nov 5, 2008

Phew, thanks for the reply. He is brand new to this house and only around 6-7 weeks old. The ESU is brand new... but I cant find a specs on it ANYWHERE as to the UVB output, or the maximum working range. We had the ESU on the cool side, so it wasnt over on the basking side where he usually was.... which was a mistake, we know. We have since (today) moved it back over to right above the basking spot. He is about 12 inches down, 4-5 inches to the left of the ESU light now when he basks. The UVB light wasn't aimed at his basking spot for probably around 2, maybe 2 and a half days.

Jasper's Mom · Nov 5, 2008

Yeah, the ESU is a lousy bulb, unfortunately. But, since you have a Megaray on the way, everything will be all right. A week without UV won't be the end of the world for him. If it's warm where you are, you can take him out for some natural sunlight. If not, just wait for the Megaray to show up. You'll love the Megaray... it's easily the best UV bulb on the market!

I dont think my beardie is getting enough UVB!

Rocco

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Rocco

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