Baby won't bask

[BeardieMommy85]

Hi everyone! As I am sure some of you know, my beardie has been very sick for the past few weeks. But anyways, I had to move my UVB light closer to the basking spot and so I had to move the basking spot a little bit out because I don't want the basking bulb to melt the plastic of the surrounding of the UVB bulb, but the problem is my baby NEVER basks and he loves his hammock so I had the basking light right over the hammock so he would get some heat and light and now the basking light won't cover him when he's on his hammock and out of all times he needs his basking light now because he is sick. I have had people tell me to take away his hammock because he's OBSESSED with it, and never gets off it, but I don't want to stress him out more right now because he still may be dealing with relocation stress and I don't want to take away his favorite object and have him get sicker. Does anyone know how I can get him to bask more? And if not, do you think the basking light will melt the plastic of the UVB light?

 

[vampy]

The UV doesn't need to be right next to the basking light, provided the UV is about 6-8 inches from him when he is on his hammock, he'll get enough of it. Is there any way you can position the UV that far away and keep the basking light over the hammock?

Are you sure he's only not basking because he doesn't want to leave the hammock rather than because it's too hot on his basking spot?

 

[BeardieMommy85]

Well, the temperature ranges from 100-105 and I know it can go up to 110, so I don't think it's too hot. He used to bask for about 20 minutes after he ate, but ever since I changed his tank to a 40 gallon he won't bask, he will just run right up onto his hammock. Do you think maybe he isn't basking because he's barely eating, and once he feels better and eats more crickets he'll bask again? Also, does he HAVE to be under the basking light all the time for the most part?(Unless he is too hot) I just think the UVB light needed to be closer to him and that will mean he will need to bask on his own, but he hasn't been. I try to put him under the direct light myself sometimes but he just runs back up his hammock. I have heard some beardies do get obsessed with their hammocks to the unhealthy point, but like I said earlier, it is a familiar comfort object to him, and I don't want to stress him out by taking it away. I also was told beardies usually like to bask more when their sick, so I'm wondering why he isn't. So confused on what to do.