Another Question Regarding Lighting and behaviour change

[Luthor]

Hello again.

I have turned off the Reptiglo compact lights I had (after advice here) and switched to an Arcadia D3 tube which seems to be the light of choice in the UK.

I also bought a reflector - but the light is sat above a mesh enclosure top.

I have noticed that since doing this...

1) Dewi's "bad" eye is much better

2) She is spending much more time over in the cool end of her viv, seemingly climbing up to be near the light. (It is two thirds the length of her tank)

My worry is that since I switched from the 4 compacts that she is perhaps not getting enough UV and therefore finding it necessary to climb up her branches and get near the D3. The problem being that she is then not sitting under her basking lamp as much and therefore possibly not digesting her food as well as she could. She seems to have taken to pooping once every two days, although this is a much bigger poop than before.

She is healthy and growing at a rate of knots and eating well, so maybe my concerns are unfounded...but it does mean I can only let her out for shorter periods as she is quite cool...and now she is bigger and more confident, she seems to "demand" being let out more and more.

I am not massively worried ( I am now used to the frights they give us!!!) but a little concerned.

DO you think I should introduce a full length tube or maybe even put it under the mesh? Or not worry as she is actually doing fine?

Thanks

 

[Livey]

I wouldn't worry both of mine like to sit on the platform close to the UV...
Im not really sure why they do it..
Are you giving them calcium with or without D3?

 

[Luthor]

I give her Nutrobal two or three times a week and just calcium supplement on her crix the rest of the time

She's just getting up to about 15 inches long

 

[lizardgrrl]

She is getting better quality UVB now compared to what she had with multiple cfls. She will get even more if it can be arranged under the mesh but you don't want her getting closer than 6 inches to the bulb. if you can run it the full length that would be better, but if you can arrange it so she gets the heat and UVB in the same area, that is the best for her digestion, as the process needs both heat and UVB. Someone familiar with the Arcadia bulbs can give you a better answer, as the Reptisun is what I am using here. The fact that her eye is improving and she wants the UVB light are both excellent signs that you are on the right path. :laughing6:

 

[Luthor]

She is getting better quality UVB now compared to what she had with multiple cfls. She will get even more if it can be arranged under the mesh but you don't want her getting closer than 6 inches to the bulb. if you can run it the full length that would be better, but if you can arrange it so she gets the heat and UVB in the same area, that is the best for her digestion, as the process needs both heat and UVB. Someone familiar with the Arcadia bulbs can give you a better answer, as the Reptisun is what I am using here. The fact that her eye is improving and she wants the UVB light are both excellent signs that you are on the right path. :laughing6:

Thanks.

I did move the tube along so she gets some UV whilst basking. I will get a longer tube.

To be honest, though I was lead to believe that they like a bright viv (the change to the tube has made it somewhat duller) she has of the past few days, seemed in much better spirits and is becoming more and more confident. I don't know if that is down to the lighting or just time. She's banging on the glass to be let out for a rampage when I get home in the evening now. I arrange cushions on the couch so she can climb back in her viv if she wants to but she is venturing further and further afield when I let her out now, with no signs of stress. (I have to be careful with the greyhounds though!).

It is noce she is getting confident though - even my wife lets her sit on her chest now - she wouldn't even touch her a couple of weeks ago...now she'stalking gooey talk, lol.