Beardy's UVB

[Faith331]

So I got a T8 10% UVB bulb and set up to put UVB everywhere in his home. It's a regular sized 40 gal and he's only about 6 months old. However, the screen on top of the tank is the regular kind with smallish holes, and the only way I can keep the light 6-8" from him is on top of the screen. I have a UV card that turns purple in the presence of UV light and it changes pretty fast in the places he hangs out.

Is this probably sufficient?

Edit: I see now I put this in the wrong category, but don't see where to delete the post

 

[KarrieRee]

T8's are not strong enough to go thru the screen and fine mesh even the T 5's are not strong enough- I would look at taking part of the screen off or have it half on so the UVB is unobstructed- not doing so your dragon will not get the UVB he needs which will result in alot health issues
Karrie

 

[Faith331]

Hmm.. how will I mount the UVB without the screen. I do have a smaller screen that he came with for the heat lamp to rest on leaving most of his enclosure open. But, I am unsure how to keep the UVB over the open part. Also, his cool side resting spot is only like 4" from the top of his enclosure. Screens like the one I have reduce UVB by like 50%? And wider holed screens are 30%, right?

 

[KarrieRee]

If your fixture is long enough to sit width wise-- do it that way w/ the screen butted up to it--- and set your basking bulb next to it--- the T 8 needs to be directly over the basking decor approx 6-8 inches--
Karrie

 

[Faith331]

oh.. brilliant! I'll try that set up.. the basking spot is 6-8" from the basking bulb

 

[KarrieRee]

Good let me know how it works out -- his behavior should change now -- eating and basking pooping etc --make sure you change the bulb out in approx 6 months -- I would recommend about a month before
Karrie

 

[Faith331]

Good let me know how it works out -- his behavior should change now -- eating and basking pooping etc --make sure you change the bulb out in approx 6 months -- I would recommend about a month before
Karrie

His behavior had already changed with the new lights. Before he would never have to open his mouth while basking, and he didn't eat much. He eats twice as much. He would also just stay in his basking spot all day, which was sad. So now he hangs out mainly in 2 places, which are both up. I'm going to need to get him a tall enclosure because he's way into climbing.

The people who had him before had a coil UVB and a 100 watt basking light, which is what he came with and was the previous light set up. It's not like they were the worst, but they didn't care enough to do more research. Even with the UVB above the screen, there was a marked difference. You saw the intro post, so you probably saw how skinny he was, and how much weight he's gained within just a few weeks. I think I'm going to try moving his secondary hang out way into the cool side and see if he goes to the secondary for more UVB, or if it's just for not hot.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Health to Enclosures

 

[KarrieRee]

Dragons need more floor space than height -- as they get older they tend to hang on the floor more often --- mine do have climbing decor but they do tend to sit on the floor quite a bit --
Karrie

 

[Faith331]

Dragons need more floor space than height -- as they get older they tend to hang on the floor more often --- mine do have climbing decor but they do tend to sit on the floor quite a bit --
Karrie

Maybe as he gets older he'll change, but right now he's an absolute climber. He used to sleep in his hanging vines, and loves the top of his tree when he's not basking. Now I put him to bed on me, and he'll be restless unless I'm standing. If I'm standing he wiggles and goes right to sleep.

I'm totally open to more floor space as he adjusts. I'm not planning on moving him until he's bigger anyway.

 

[Faith331]

Update: he now moves around his enclosure even more. He's also started pooping twice per day and being more hungry. However, today his stool was loose, which is a tad concerning, with the additional pooping happening. Also, 2 nights ago he had what looked like undigested food in his poop. Like, quarters of mealworms. I've not had this problem with him before because he chews all his food really well.

Mind you, his temps are still in the 100-110 ranged every where on the hot side, and it's about 80 on the cool side in the day, and down to low 70's during the night.

 

[KarrieRee]

I would lay off the meal worms and see if anything else comes out undigested --- diet has alot to do w/ runny stools - as long as his basking temps are correct and good UVB it could be the food hes eating -- the poop you posted looks good besides the meal worms -- is he eating fruits or lots of squash ? Or any type of food that would provide lots of water cukes watermelon squash lettuce ?
Karrie

 

[Faith331]

I would lay off the meal worms and see if anything else comes out undigested --- diet has alot to do w/ runny stools - as long as his basking temps are correct and good UVB it could be the food hes eating -- the poop you posted looks good besides the meal worms -- is he eating fruits or lots of squash ? Or any type of food that would provide lots of water cukes watermelon squash lettuce ?
Karrie

I recently got him to start eating squash, and I deduced that was the likely culprit between when I posted the update and now.