FRUSTRATED!!!!!

[andresm]

I'm really frustrated!! I have no idea if I'm doing this right!! I went to the pet store and took advice from the salesperson and bought a RaptiGlo 13W 10.0 UVB light. That things is SMALL!!! it seems like it can't give my beardie any uvb!!

I thought if I kept my old UVB bulb (ReptiGlo 26W 2.0) along with the new 10.0 bulb it'll help out my beardie.. You can see this on the picture.

So now I've got three bulbs, the regular incandescent bulb for heat, and 2 UVB bulbs. And I'm going crazy I keep telling myself I'm not doing the right thing!!

My enclosure is still reading as if the cool side was about 87-90 degrees, and I think that's too high. From the picture you can see I'm using digital strip thermometers.. are those any good??

PLEASE HELP ME!!! I'M GOING CRAZY AND I'M NOT SURE IF I'M DOING THE BEST FOR REX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Atrain87]

Any kind of a coil or compact UVB bulb will do more harm than good. I would remove them immediately and replace it as soon as possibly with a reptisun 10.0 flouresent tube. You can get one online for about 20 bucks and you can find a fixture for it at a hardware store. Make sure it is a reptisun and not a reptiglo. As for the tempature the stick themometers are anything but accurate. You need to get a temp gun with a probe for the most accurate readings and if it really is 87-90 on the cool side it is too hot, but I doubt it is with the lights you have unless your basking light is an extremly high wattage in which case the hot side is probaly way too hot also. But as long as you fix this problem as soon as possible he should be find. He will be better off with no UVB for a few days than to have the lights you have now.

 

[Grixxly15]

Atrain did a good job summarizing that all up.

 

[Neromom39]

As the previous poster stated, please remove the coil bulbs until you can replace them with a ReptiSun. No UVBs are better than no UVBs for a few days.

Also whereas a temp gun the absolute best way to measure your temps, they are a bit pricey :| You can also pick up an Accurite thermometer from Wal-Mart for about $12.

The stick on thermometer can be off by up to 20 degrees or more.

Once you replace the UVBs, it will make all the difference in the world :wink:

 

[andresm]

yeah thanks!! I went and got a new uvb bulb right away and a 20 gal tank and he's completely different!!! He's alot more active eating all his veggies and obviously still loves his crickets. Thanks alot yall!!!

 

[Neromom39]

Glad to hear about the positive change in your baby
Did you happen to get a probe thermometer as well? You want to be sure that your temps are spot on :wink:

 

[Embee]

yeah thanks!! I went and got a new uvb bulb right away and a 20 gal tank and he's completely different!!! He's alot more active eating all his veggies and obviously still loves his crickets. Thanks alot yall!!!

Ah, if we all had a dollar for every post just like this, we'd be rich! :wink: Perhaps rich enough to "persuade" the powers that be to remove all coils and compacts from store shelves?!?!? :lol: New light, new world. I'm glad to hear that your beardie is thriving under her new light. :mrgreen:

Did you happen to get a probe thermometer as well? You want to be sure that your temps are spot on :wink:

Couldn't agree more. Gauging temps accurately is as important as good lighting... two major keys to the very particular needs of young beardeds.

Em