14 month old restless not eating

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I’m looking for advice on my 14 month old. Over the last week he is restless with some glass surfing in the mornings, not really basking as much and is not eating much. He is pooping fairly regularly at least once a day. I think when the weather got cold here in AZ was when the issued started but it’s a pretty standard temp inside his room of 74-77.

I have a solarmeter to measure UVB and will attach pictures of my setup and readings.
Here is the basic helpful rundown…
Acquired April 2020
14 months old
Zen Habitat
Arcadia 6% mounted inside with basking spot about a 9-10” below uvb
(if he’s basking properly in the middle I get a uvb of 4.3 at it’s strongest point, I know 12% is standard but his basking spot is only 9” from bulb so that’s why we use the 6%)
Basking 150w intense bask light on a dimmer
95-104 basking spot
85-90 ambient
75-77 cool side

Im debating lowering his basking spot and switching to the 12% bulb for uvb but with my solar meter numbers where I’m told they should be UVB should not be the issue as hes thrived with the 6% for months. His basking hide is 7” tall but currently raised on a paver 1-2”.

Also about the basking temperature… am I correct in assuming that the bulb is warmed up to at least 100 after 3.5 hours but you don’t want it hitting 104 until around the hottest point of the day say late afternoon?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated before I take him into the vet.
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I’m looking for advice on my 14 month old. Over the last week he is restless with some glass surfing in the mornings, not really basking as much and is not eating much. He is pooping fairly regularly at least once a day. I think when the weather got cold here in AZ was when the issued started but it’s a pretty standard temp inside his room of 74-77.

I have a solarmeter to measure UVB and will attach pictures of my setup and readings.
Here is the basic helpful rundown…
Acquired April 2020
14 months old
Zen Habitat
Arcadia 6% mounted inside with basking spot about a 9-10” below uvb
(if he’s basking properly in the middle I get a uvb of 4.3 at it’s strongest point, I know 12% is standard but his basking spot is only 9” from bulb so that’s why we use the 6%)
Basking 150w intense bask light on a dimmer
95-104 basking spot
85-90 ambient
75-77 cool side

Im debating lowering his basking spot and switching to the 12% bulb for uvb but with my solar meter numbers where I’m told they should be UVB should not be the issue as hes thrived with the 6% for months. His basking hide is 7” tall but currently raised on a paver 1-2”.

Also about the basking temperature… am I correct in assuming that the bulb is warmed up to at least 100 after 3.5 hours but you don’t want it hitting 104 until around the hottest point of the day say late afternoon?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated before I take him into the vet.
We need CooperDragon to respond to the out put of the UVB but I am thinking it needs to be more in the 6.0 range but I am not for sure -- but I highly recommend upgrading your bulb to the 12% -- for a tank that size you want a higher output of rays --- I am thinking you solor meter is off as a distance requirement for a 6% bulb is 6-8 inches its more of a T 8 bulb and the 12% bulb is a T 5 which is highly recommended for a 4x2x2 - tank distance for that would be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- as far as the not eating and glass surfing could be hormones could be not getting enough UVB could be the weather could be all 3 --- its a trial and error thing
@CooperDragon
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
Thank you so much. I have a 12 & 14% available so I am more than willing to change to the 12 if needed. I much appreciate the response!
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Since you have a Solarmeter, that takes the guesswork out of the UVB lighting. I would shoot for 3-6UVI over the basking area. You will also want a gradient down to <1 UVI in other parts of the enclosure so there are plenty of areas to choose from.

As far as the basking light/temp goes, I would also shoot more for a gradient than an exact temperature. Surface temps in the basking area from roughly high 90s to low 100s should be OK. I have my thermostat set at 103 but the areas around it can vary a few degrees either direction and it's no problem. You want to make sure that there are areas in the low-mid 90s as well as some areas of 75-80 or so in the enclosure to provide some choices.
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
Since you have a Solarmeter, that takes the guesswork out of the UVB lighting. I would shoot for 3-6UVI over the basking area. You will also want a gradient down to <1 UVI in other parts of the enclosure so there are plenty of areas to choose from.

As far as the basking light/temp goes, I would also shoot more for a gradient than an exact temperature. Surface temps in the basking area from roughly high 90s to low 100s should be OK. I have my thermostat set at 103 but the areas around it can vary a few degrees either direction and it's no problem. You want to make sure that there are areas in the low-mid 90s as well as some areas of 75-80 or so in the enclosure to provide some choices.
Thank you so much for the reply. I redid his enclosure yesterday and swapped his hide out for a lower basking spot and switched the bulb over to the 12%. I’m getting a definite better range of 3-5 in the basking zone. Does this look ok?
I am having the hardest time with his heat temp. We are starting to have warmer days in AZ again. I have a 150w basking bulb on a dimmer. How hot should his spot be getting after 3.5 hours?? Should it be at the 103 mark then even if it gets hotter as the day goes until like 4? Is there something I can buy that will bring my heat up to the right spot and regulate it for me so I’m not driving myself crazy? Thank you so much for the help. Pics of the new setup enclosed.
 

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CooperDragon

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That looks great! The temps you get really kind of vary between enclosures and bulbs, so it's a matter of trying out some different brands and wattages and see what works best in your situation. As long as you have a good gradient across the tank, it's not an urgent thing if you are in the ballpark range with the temps. It doesn't usually take too long for temps to peak after the lights come on. Maybe half an hour or so. The temps will fluctuate based on the ambient temps and how well insulated the enclosure is. That's where the thermostat/dimmer comes into play. Once you have the temps pretty close with the right bulb/wattage match then the dimmer can do the fine tuning as needed. If you aren't getting temps high enough and have an extra fixture you could try adding an Arcadia heat projector as a supplement. They are good to have if the temps drop below mid 60s overnight. Otherwise I'd focus more on finding a basking light that gets the temps where you want them (and then buying a bunch to have on hand).
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
That looks great! The temps you get really kind of vary between enclosures and bulbs, so it's a matter of trying out some different brands and wattages and see what works best in your situation. As long as you have a good gradient across the tank, it's not an urgent thing if you are in the ballpark range with the temps. It doesn't usually take too long for temps to peak after the lights come on. Maybe half an hour or so. The temps will fluctuate based on the ambient temps and how well insulated the enclosure is. That's where the thermostat/dimmer comes into play. Once you have the temps pretty close with the right bulb/wattage match then the dimmer can do the fine tuning as needed. If you aren't getting temps high enough and have an extra fixture you could try adding an Arcadia heat projector as a supplement. They are good to have if the temps drop below mid 60s overnight. Otherwise I'd focus more on finding a basking light that gets the temps where you want them (and then buying a bunch to have on hand).
Thank you so much for the help! I’m happy to report that after a slightly stressful day yesterday of trying to get the basking temp where it needs to be (I ended up adding a second basking light for a wider basking area) Ramen has eaten for the first time in days and found his way to his basking spot all on his own this morning. I may come back if it’s ok and ask your advice on my temps after I’ve had a chance to record them for 24 hours stable but I definitely feel like we are headed in the right direction!
 

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AHBD

BD.org Sicko
That's a beautiful tank set up and you got great advice on the lighting adjustment. One question, are you positive that Ramen is a male ?
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
That's a beautiful tank set up and you got great advice on the lighting adjustment. One question, are you positive that Ramen is a male ?
Thank you. I’m having some serious sadness about having to take his beautiful rainbow hide out bc it’s just a little too tall for me to be able to use with the 12%.
I am 75% certain it is a male, I got him from my breeder when he was a little bit older but have def never done the flashlight test myself.
He’s still not eating as great as he was but I am going to give him a week… stop messing with his tank and see where it gets me.
If anyone with more knowledge than me can look at these temps and tell me if it seems ok I would be super grateful!
 

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AHBD

BD.org Sicko
I would say to keep your lights on from 7-8 a.m. to 9-10 p.m. You can turn the heat lamp off for a couple hours mi day to keep it from getting too hot. BTW you don't need to do the flashlight trick but it is pretty reliable, especially in a dimly lit room. Or you can just arch the tail high up and take a few pics of Ramen's vent [ rear end ] It's really important to know your dragon's actual gender.
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
I would say to keep your lights on from 7-8 a.m. to 9-10 p.m. You can turn the heat lamp off for a couple hours mi day to keep it from getting too hot. BTW you don't need to do the flashlight trick but it is pretty reliable, especially in a dimly lit room. Or you can just arch the tail high up and take a few pics of Ramen's vent [ rear end ] It's really important to know your dragon's actual gender.
For sure. I specifically wanted a male to prevent dealing with eggs so I always just assumed the breeder would know what they are doing but I will for sure give him a check tomorrow. I’ve messed with him a lot today.
Do the temps seem like he’s getting enough heat or too much or does it seem ok? I did purchase a Herpstat 2 which is on the way and I’m hoping will give me some sanity. I’m overthinking everything at this point.
As someone knowledgeable on dragons can you give me an idea of what is “normal” for a bearded dragon. Since we’ve had him and using the previous setup with the 6% he spent 80-90% of his time in the basking area only going to the cool side occasionally or eat or to sleep. Now with the changes even though it’s only been two days he doesn’t bask nearly as much. I maybe see him over there a couple times a day unless I place him there. Now he kind of hangs out all over but is def on the cool side more often. Currently it’s 4:15 and he’s already in his cave although not sleeping just looking at me.. lol. I just don’t know now that I’ve messed everything up what to expect.
Thanks for letting me rant. I’ve been really going crazy over this for the last couple weeks. I just feel like I’m doing something wrong.
 

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AHBD

BD.org Sicko
Aw, what a cutie. :) The most important thing right now is to know for sure if Ramen is M/F. That way you can rule out the possibility of eggs. Either way, you can relax because your dragon is very healthy looking, good weight and whether it's just trying to find a comfy place for a snooze or not, it will not affect him at all. Ramen might just want to sleep for a bit , might last for a week, 2 or many more, might just be a " let me hide part of the day" and not go in to a true brumation. Either behaviors are perfectly normal and not harmful. Of course if Ramen happens to be a girl you'll want to add something for egg laying.
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
Aw, what a cutie. :) The most important thing right now is to know for sure if Ramen is M/F. That way you can rule out the possibility of eggs. Either way, you can relax because your dragon is very healthy looking, good weight and whether it's just trying to find a comfy place for a snooze or not, it will not affect him at all. Ramen might just want to sleep for a bit , might last for a week, 2 or many more, might just be a " let me hide part of the day" and not go in to a true brumation. Either behaviors are perfectly normal and not harmful. Of course if Ramen happens to be a girl you'll want to add something for egg laying.
Thank you! I’ll confirm and try to get a pic tomorrow. I really appreciate the feedback.
 

RamenNoodleBDs

Member
Original Poster
Aw, what a cutie. :) The most important thing right now is to know for sure if Ramen is M/F. That way you can rule out the possibility of eggs. Either way, you can relax because your dragon is very healthy looking, good weight and whether it's just trying to find a comfy place for a snooze or not, it will not affect him at all. Ramen might just want to sleep for a bit , might last for a week, 2 or many more, might just be a " let me hide part of the day" and not go in to a true brumation. Either behaviors are perfectly normal and not harmful. Of course if Ramen happens to be a girl you'll want to add something for egg laying.
Well he made it easy for me so I figured I’d peek. Would def say boy for sure.
 

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