Eye issues and color issues

[pm0084]

I am a new owner to bearded dragons, so I do not know if this all is normal or not. I am just a little scared and want to get some more experianced views.
Setup; 75 gallon sectioned in half, 100W Mega Ray 14" away, 150W ceramic heat for night.
Temps; 108 basking, 85 ambient, 78 cool
Beardie; about 5", poo's once a day, eats about 5-7 cricket each day, licks water fine. I bought him a little over a week ago.
Issues; The first issue is that my beardie seems to close his eyes alot, and they don't seem to look 100% healthy to me, the other issue is that he seems to have changed color to a darker shade from when I first got him. I would like some feedback on the following comparison pics.

Before

After (today)

Thanks for any advice

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What a color difference. I believe that he is probably stressed from moving to a new home. They usually go through relocation stress which lasts 1-2 weeks, or sometimes longer just depending on the circumstances.
You mentioned that you sectioned the 75 gallon off so he is in a smaller area for his living right now? If so, it is not recommended to use a MVB in a smaller area than a 40 gallon, so it could be too intense for him in a smaller area perhaps. Can you post a picture of his entire setup for us?
The Megaray is great so I don't think it could be bothering his eyes. Is the light mounted directly overhead of him so it doesn't glare in his eyes while he is basking? I ask because the Megaray has not had any reported cases of eye problems with the use of it.
Did you get the Megaray from BobMac online at his website, or from another distributor?
What type of thermometer are you using, a stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?
What is your substrate you are using, sand, tiles, paper towels?

Tracie

 

[pm0084]

I will try to get a full tank shot later.

The mega ray was mounted directly overhead ( I just removed it and put a normal bulb in to see if it may be the cause) I did purchase it from BobMac.
The substrate is paper towel
I am using the small circular temp gauge from the pet store (not the best I know)
He has been in his tank almost 2 weeks now, could it still be stress? If it is stress why did it take so long for his colors to change?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Ok, I am quite certain it is NOT the Megaray, however, that is fine that you went ahead & removed it for now. Good that you had it placed directly overhead.
It is absolutely essential that you get a digital probe or temp gun as that circular stick on is not measuring the basking temperatures properly. He could be either too hot or too cold, as those stick ons can be off by as much as 20 degrees.
He could still be a little stressed by relocation, as well, but I think that it is going to be more temperature related than anything else. Maybe a possible shed is coming on too? That is just a though, perhaps.

You can get the Acurite brand digital probe thermometer at Walmart, for roughly $12 or so.

Tracie

 

[pm0084]

I think I found the issue...maybe. The mega ray is 100W, my other bulb is 150W. When I took out the mega ray and put the 150W back he got much better....very quickly. I tried the mega ray again, and he looked sick by the days end. Turns out my temp gauge may have been broken...I got a digital one and read only 88.8 at his basking spot with the 100W mega ray at 14". I switched to the 150 and got 105.2 at his basking spot. I may have been the cause of my poor beardie's suffering. He must have been cold. I will test out the mega ray with a 100W additional heat source and see if I can get about 110.0 with the mega ray in use. I will update any results.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello... have you had any change in the temps since trying an additional heat source with the Megaray?
When taking the temps.. are you putting the probe end directly on the basking spot under the bulb? Are you allowing adequate time(45 min.) for registering the best reading?
You can also lower the Megaray a few inches, if needed. Although you don't want it any closer than 12" from your beardie.
How are your beardies eyes doing? Is he still closing them?

 

[pm0084]

Tried changing everything as I said...all temps were great, but with mega ray he just seems to get sick looking...I take it out and he gets better....I think I have a bad bulb

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Sorry to hear that! There was another member on here, who recently had a similar problem with the Megaray putting out toxic levels of uvb and it bothering his beardies eyes.
I would definitely recommend not using the Megaray at this point. I would suggest you call Bob at Reptileuv and explain what is going on with your beardie and the mvb. You could possibly have a defective bulb and Bob will take care of it for you. The Megarays are great bulbs, this is what I use. Don't let this discourage you from using these bulbs.
In the meantime you may need to get another source of uvb while waiting on a new megaray.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

The Megray is the best bulb, I would call him and explain to him!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sorry to hear that the bulb could be defective. Please do call Bob to explain this situation to him. He is a very caring person & will go out of his way to help you or answer questions for you.
Though, I honestly think that the Megaray is too strong for that small of an area. It is not recommended to be used in any smaller of a tank than a 40 gallon, & even that is borderline for that bulb. Ideally, he needs the entire 75 gallon.
The UVB waves bounce off the glass which in a smaller area, can be way too strong. Do talk this over with Bob, & tell him your setup, etc so he can help you. The Megarays are very strong lights. I have been using them for almost 7 years now, with no problems at all.
We have 4x2x2 tanks though, which are large enough.
How is he doing today?

Tracie

 

[pm0084]

I have a new mega ray enroute, the mega ray people think my bulb is defective....due to the pics. As a side note, they are a great company...no issues what so ever...and fast service. I look forward to getting the new bulb.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

That is great that you are getting a new bulb!
Did they give you any details on how or why they thought the bulb was defective?
If you don't mind... could you post a pic of the bulb for us to see, please. Just curious.. Thanks!

How is your beardie doing now that you removed the bulb? How are his eyes?

 

[GoFast]

Once you get that new bulb increase that basking distance from 14" to about 16" The amount of UVB in those 2 inches may decrease enough to make a difference.

 

[pm0084]

That is great that you are getting a new bulb!
Did they give you any details on how or why they thought the bulb was defective?
If you don't mind... could you post a pic of the bulb for us to see, please. Just curious.. Thanks!

How is your beardie doing now that you removed the bulb? How are his eyes?

His eyes still close alittle (but is much better) the color is back to normal...he moves around and climbs all day now. He also started eating again...about 5 crickets so far today. (not to bad for 5") He even chased them down
There was no explaination as to what could be wrong....it sounds like they test the returns though to check what issues there may be for future referance.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great that they will be sending you out another light. They are usually very good with returns & issues with lights. Bob is always good on his word, I know that.
Let us know how the new light does for him!

Tracie