Diarrhea, process of elimination

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I can't figure out why my beardie Toothless is having loose poops. I just replaced his UVB a month ago with a 13w bulb, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015HU2HF8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and his temp is 90-95 in the warm side during the day.

Toothless is 1.5 years old, about 16 inches long. He's very active and eating well. He gets 10 .5 inch dubias every other day, and a serving of cabbage and turnip greens (with occasional treats) every morning. I tried upping his protein intake (10 roaches every day) but that made it worse so I went back to every other day.

His poop doesn't really smell, just general reptile musk, so I don't think it's parasites. I wanted to see if anyone here had any ideas before i take him in to get tested. Here's a picture of his latest poo:
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM8xQ7d-lyAB_2U33JEeyN1qvc3VRiyLxTcmad-
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
That is the issue --- please get rid of the coil ASAP---- those are inadequate and will / can cause long term health issues --- you need this a 24" Zoo Med hood if your tank is 40+ gallon -- it comes w/ a 5.0 bulb hang on to it it can be used as a back up --- please get this bulb Reptisun 10.0 T 5 22" -- my go to place is out of stock -- please look on Amazon and get it ordered ASAP-- shop around for them -- make sure you look at shipping times -- these hoods sell very quickly my place has a hard time keeping them in stock -- when you get it please post back here and I will help you get it placed and the distance it needs to be
Karrie
 

Winterling42

Member
Original Poster
So I've done some research and I'm getting really conflicting information on the coil UVB bulbs...some people say it's too MUCH UV and is damaging their reptile's eyes, which I have not seen in my beardie. And some people say they don't put out ENOUGH UV. I can see where not enough UV might affect his digestion. But do you have any more information other than 'it's bad?'
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
I've tested the outputs of several bulbs using a Solarmeter. The 13w compact bulbs are not strong enough to produce sunlight levels of UVB at a reasonable distance (6+ inches). There are stronger 25/26w versions of these bulbs which produce output similar to a T8 tube. These produce UVI of around 3 at 6-8'' from the bulb which is about equivalent to mid morning or late afternoon sunshine (about 3-6 UVI) which is what you're trying to imitate. The downside is that the output drops off quickly as you move to the sides of the bulb, so the beam isn't wide enough for them to bask under evenly. You can set up a cluster of them over the basking area to provide a wider beam, but at that point it usually makes more sense to get a 24'' (or longer) T5 fixture and set that over the basking area (about 12-14'' up).
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Yes please get rid of the coil bulb -- you could go w/ the 26 watt Reptisun but I really agree changing the whole thing out all together believe me you will have a happier and healthier dragon on the long run --- so many dragons develop health issues w/ this 13 watt bulb --- dragons will hide their illness for as long as they can sometimes its too late and sometimes they are medically damaged -- I recommend you get the tube as I posted earlier tho
Karrie
 

Winterling42

Member
Original Poster
You guys have definitely convinced me! I have a 22" fixture coming in from carolina cages, and a bulb like the one you specified. They should be here around Wednesday/Thursday, so I will keep you updated!

I'm worried about hanging it somewhere far enough away that he doesn't get burned. My basking rock is about 7.5 inches from the top of the enclosure right now, and if the light is hanging inside of that it'll be too close. I'm thinking about putting his hammock over there so I can control the height.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
The T 5 should have a distance of 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor- inside the tank- if your screen is a wide hole type it can sit on top- if it's a fine mesh it would need to go inside the tank+ on top the distance would be 8-10 inches decor directly underneath
Karrie
 
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