Too hot/too much UVB?

LianneHenry

Member
Beardie name(s)
Henry
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Hi everyone!

I changed up my setup yesterday from a 125W Solar Glo (do not recommend!!) to a 100W Basking light (Zoo med) and the Zoo Med T5 10.0. The T5 sits above some mesh about 8-10 inches above the basking spot and 18 inch above the floor. This is the first time since I got my bearded dragon Henry that the temperatures are right: 38,5C right under the basking spot C23,5 on the cool side. Measured with a probe thermometer. The last two days my bearded dragons activity has been insane compared to before. He moves way faster and more smoothly. Also both days he pooped while normally he only does this every 3/4 days. He also is eating like crazy. But today in the afternoon I noticed him looking for shade. He sits for hours unders his hammock. Do I have too much heat/UVB now? Or does it just take some getting used to?
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
View attachment 75193
Hi everyone!

I changed up my setup yesterday from a 125W Solar Glo (do not recommend!!) to a 100W Basking light (Zoo med) and the Zoo Med T5 10.0. The T5 sits above some mesh about 8-10 inches above the basking spot and 18 inch above the floor. This is the first time since I got my bearded dragon Henry that the temperatures are right: 38,5C right under the basking spot C23,5 on the cool side. Measured with a probe thermometer. The last two days my bearded dragons activity has been insane compared to before. He moves way faster and more smoothly. Also both days he pooped while normally he only does this every 3/4 days. He also is eating like crazy. But today in the afternoon I noticed him looking for shade. He sits for hours unders his hammock. Do I have too much heat/UVB now? Or does it just take some getting used to?
How are you getting the basking temp off the hammock? I dont see any temp gauges-- IR guns do not work on hammocks--you want a digital probe thermometer for accurate temps off the hammock-- your screen on the tank is a fine mesh or a wide hole type? For a fine mesh the UVB should be unobstructed the screen will block 30% of the rays- distance should be 12-15 inches unobstructed ----
 

LianneHenry

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Henry
How are you getting the basking temp off the hammock? I dont see any temp gauges-- IR guns do not work on hammocks--you want a digital probe thermometer for accurate temps off the hammock-- your screen on the tank is a fine mesh or a wide hole type? For a fine mesh the UVB should be unobstructed the screen will block 30% of the rays- distance should be 12-15 inches unobstructed ----
I have a probe on the hammock. Right where the center of the basking light ‘hits’ I made a picture for you:
 

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LianneHenry

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Henry
How are you getting the basking temp off the hammock? I dont see any temp gauges-- IR guns do not work on hammocks--you want a digital probe thermometer for accurate temps off the hammock-- your screen on the tank is a fine mesh or a wide hole type? For a fine mesh the UVB should be unobstructed the screen will block 30% of the rays- distance should be 12-15 inches unobstructed ----
Hmm but I’m more worried now that he is getting too much UVB since he is hiding. The mesh is the standard Exo Terra Mesh. I included a picture:
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hmm but I’m more worried now that he is getting too much UVB since he is hiding. The mesh is the standard Exo Terra Mesh. I included a picture:
I would say more of the heat -- please check your surface basking temps off the hammock w/ a digital prober thermometer and then we can go from there
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
Beardirs are good about knowing what they need /want for light, he should move in and outta the basking and uvb as he needs them.
I would do like Karrieree said and make sure the basking temp is correct, if so give him a few days and see how he acts.
Some beardies get pi$$y if you change their stuff around. My male pouts for days every time lol.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Beardirs are good about knowing what they need /want for light, he should move in and outta the basking and uvb as he needs them.
I would do like Karrieree said and make sure the basking temp is correct, if so give him a few days and see how he acts.
Some beardies get pi$$y if you change their stuff around. My male pouts for days every time lol.
Agreed dragons don't like change
 

LianneHenry

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Henry
Beardirs are good about knowing what they need /want for light, he should move in and outta the basking and uvb as he needs them.
I would do like Karrieree said and make sure the basking temp is correct, if so give him a few days and see how he acts.
Some beardies get pi$$y if you change their stuff around. My male pouts for days every time lol.
Haha okay I will give it some days. Just to be sure I lowered the hammock a little bit since I’m working tomorrow and don’t want him to overheat. The surface temp is then around 37c after two hours. He basked a little bit this night after I lowered it. But yes, since the new lights he has been acting crazy! He loves to chill a little bit on my bed in the evening. But today when I took him out he first ran a few laps. Seems like the right heat charged up all his power. I think he never had the heat he needs since now (I just have him for a month and his last owner severy neglected him)
 

Groggyfroggie

Juvie Member
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Beardie name(s)
Draco
So glad he's in a better home now! I agree w/ everyoone, temps and basking bulb can take a while to get to the optimal setting. Truth be told, I've had my beardie since June, and it still took me a couple of days to get the temperature right after a sudden cold surge in October. Since he's so much more active now you are definitely on the right track!
 

LianneHenry

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Henry
Well, got home from work today and found my little friend hiding under his hammock again. Today my room was not as warm as yesterday so the area under the basking light was a little too cold (34C) so I raised it a few cm again.. I now realise how much the room temperature matters! Which is annoying since in my apartment I can only choose between no heat and a lot of heat.
 

Groggyfroggie

Juvie Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Draco
Maybe you can get rid of the hammock for now and put a solid basking decor under the lamp instead? Like that piece of fake rock? That way she can at least get some more exposure to heat and uvb. Maybe even provide something with a slope so she can choose where to sit.
 

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