Comments for new ZenHab setup? doesn't like hot side

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Hi Everybody, I have set up my ZenHabitats 4' x 2' x 2' enclosure for my 6 month old big boy beardie Jumbo. I have a Arcadia ProT5 UVB 14% 24 inch on the inside roof, along with a 150W ceramic heat emitter and a standard LED lightbulb for additional illumination. The floor is porcelain textured tile from Lowe's, and rocks from the desert near Death Valley (outside park boundaries of course :shock:

Using probe thermometers, the hot side air temperature averages 95-100F on top of the biggest rock, and the cool side is 80-85F.

I'd like to get anyone's comments on the setup. I am also concerned that Jumbo doesn't like the hot side and only goes over once every couple days for a short basking session. He's far away from the UVB esp if he hangs out on the floor but doesn't really hang out there. The closest he gets is the middle of the tank where he will occasionally bask. You can see Jumbo in his usual spot way over on the cool side in the pic.

Here's some pics:

110887-8658518628.jpg

110887-901303795.jpg

and here's a closeup of Jumbo... how's he looking?

110887-2761933338.jpg
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Ok Jumbo needs a bright white basking bulb no coil type solid -- replace the heat emitter get a separate dome for that --- place that on the center back top of tank -- I would get a separate dome for the LED for lighting use your dual dome for your basking bulbs -- you may need the extra heat like a 50 or 75 watt come winter --- but try and use one basking bulb for now -- the 14% bulb needs to be 17-18 inches directly above the basking decor piece I am going to show you how my tank is set up -- right now I have two separate basking spots the hot side and the middle which has a regular house hold bulb 60 watt over the UVB and temps middle of tank are in the 90's -- I am using a Reptisun 10.0 T 5
97951-5464430083.jpg
 

chestermymunchkin

Hatchling Member
Beardie name(s)
chester
hello Karrie! I have a question how long is the ficture you are using? I am going to upgrade to 120-gallon zen soon and have a 24 inch t5 UVB 12% I was wondering if that would be large enough?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Yes that is what mine is - half the tank -- plenty for the UVB- I am using the same bulb--- basking decor is approx 12-15 inches under it
 

chestermymunchkin

Hatchling Member
Beardie name(s)
chester
KarrieRee":k8jkdnbx said:
Yes that is what mine is - half the tank -- plenty for the UVB- I am using the same bulb--- basking decor is approx 12-15 inches under it

ok thank you so much!
 

Gormagon

Extreme Poster
You said new to him ....right?

If so, right now his whole world has been turned upside down and he is in a new place facing new dangers(in his mind)!!! You know it's safe but he doesn't get. It's called relocation stress, he will come around in a little while (a week or so). You might want to add something to climb on for enrichment as well. He is hiding out of fear of the unknown.
 

JumbosDaddy

Member
Original Poster
Thank you Karrie and Gormagon,

Yes it could be relocation stress... but about Karrie's recommendations, could you clarify a bit?

In addition to the UVB tube, you said he also needs a white basking lamp. Is that a MVB? I thought those also emit UVB and would add to what may be too much UVB from the 14% Arcadia tube? His closest rock to the UVB is about 15 inches from the tube, the floor is aboout 21 inches.

Here is what I own, both "off brands" from Amazon but got good reviews. Would either of these work for the basking bulb?

110887-2357195365.jpg

Do I keep the heat emitter? Wouldn't the emitter + basking bulb be too hot?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
The basking bulb is a bright white bulb like what you posted --- as long as its keeping temps to what you need that is what you want --- the heat emitter is usually used at nite to keep temps in the tank above 65-but not above 75 -- unless you have a sick dragon and then placement could be situated to get temps to around 80 or so -- those are good to use for sick dragons as well-- so to clarify
you want one good basking bulb and one good UVB-- if you want extra lighting w/ out heat just use a house hold LED -- if you want to add extra heat for like over the middle of the tank use a regular house hold bulb like a 60 or 40 watt-- that should raise temps to around the 90's --
 

JumbosDaddy

Member
Original Poster
Following up on my original post from 1 1/2 months ago, I changed the heat emitter to a 75W basking bulb, and added a LED lightbulb for lighting. I still have my Arcadia 14% UVB 24 inch.

Very little improvement. Jumbo basked occasionally at first, and started eating better, but for the past two weeks he has hidden in the corner farthest from the heat, no basking, and seems to be avoiding the UVB at all costs. He has not eaten in a week, refusing both dubias and veggies, and only pooped once in the past two weeks, during a bath. His poop had a rock-hard urate over an inch long.

110887-7574378149.jpg

I took him to the reptile specialist vet a month ago, who said he looked fine, and shouldn't worry about the sluggishness and refusal to eat. His only recommendation was a blood test if Jumbo started to lose weight.

My guesses are:
a) he may be dehydrated from not eating, based on the hard urate
b) the 14% UVB may be too intense
c) he is in a weird summer brumation.

I'm at a point now where I don't want him to suffer anymore, and am considering rehoming him to a more skilled beardie keeper.

Any ideas????
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Your distance for the 14% bulb should be 17-18 inches directly above the basking decor --- the rock may be too hot on the spot for basking especially if hes only sitting there for a little bit -- it sounds like hes dehydrated get him in a bath see if he will drink - do not let him drink too fast -- if he starts gulping the water pull him you dont want him to aspirate --- or drop water on his nose and see if he will lick --- I would get a 12% bulb and see if the behavior changes w/ the UVB but you will haft to adjust the distance to 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor -- you can move the UVB to the center of the tank to see exactly what the issue is -- w/ them being in the same area its hard to determine exactly what the issue is --- watch what he does --- try those things and see if you can figure out the cause for the behavior your getting now----the heat emitter keep for now but you need to get your basking temps from the digital probe -- and if your using the hammock make sure your using the probe -- guns will not work off of a hammock
 

JumbosDaddy

Member
Original Poster
Hi Karrie thanks for your response. A few comments:
1.Jumbo won't drink water any time, even in a bath or with drops on the nose. He also won't eat veggies so he's not getting water that way.
2. I am using temp probes and his tank is usually around 95 on the hot side and 80 on the cool side. He stays on the cold side all the time.
3. He lost 1.5oz of weight over the past 2 weeks, first time this happened.

Do you think changing the bulb would help? Right now the 14% is 22 inches from the floor and about 15 inches from highest basking decor.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
It's going to be trial and error -- change it see what he does leave the distance the same 15 from basking decor-- wait a few days see what he does
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
It's going to be trial and error -- change it see what he does leave the distance the same 15 from basking decor-- wait a few days see what he does
 
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