Growing concerns

[ZephyrasHuman]

I got my baby beardie Carrot probably about 3 months ago, and she's not growing. She's only 20 g, and shes about 8 inches. She was about 5 and a half inches when we got her. The reason i'm concern is because all my other beardies grew like weeds, Zeffie has gone through probably 6 different sheds since I've had her (3 months also) and was 6 inches when I got her, now shes 12 inches. Carrot has only gone through one shed. When I got Eros (about a month ago) he was 10 inches, and now hes 14 and a half and going through his first shed with me. So, to sum it all up, Carrot doesnt seem to be growing as much. She eats her buggies pretty well, seems healthy (my mom refuses to pay for a vet), but she doesn't really touch her salad. Help! I seem to have a forever baby. xP

 

[momohobobobo]

are you using the same setup as you did with you others? Are you reusing old uvb lamps by any chance? If you could, it'd help people out if you explained the basics of your setup. such as temps, size, and uvb source and brand. I know its annoying to put it all down but its the best way to get help. The more specific the better

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

Her viv is smaller than all the others, I have everyone else in 30 gallon breeders, and hers is a 20 gallon tank I believe (due to my dad deciding to not listen to me and get a zilla thing from petco), she is using a zoo med heat bulb (60 w) and a zilla uva(?) light. I hate the zilla light (its a weird bluish thing) but my parents refuse to buy her a new light until the bulb burns out...(which gives me an idea :twisted: ) I can't really say everything exactly right now because all the beardies are sleeping and I don't wanna mess around looking at lights and whatnot earning me beardie glares xD...Okay, so to sum all the setups up(from what i remember, I'll fix it in the morning):

Zeffie
30 gallon breeder
zoo med heat bulb (60 w)
2 coil bulbs (idk what brand and yes I know theyre bad but my mom doesn't want to buy a reptisun for her)

Eros
30 gallon breeder
i'm not sure heat atm
Reptisun 5.0

Pachinko
30 gallon breeder
heat is a regular house bulb 60w
Reptisun 5.0

Carrot
20 gallon tank (zilla beardie setup from petco)
zoo med heat bulb (60w)
zilla coil thing

Like I said i'll revise it in the morning xD But I believe it's all mostly right

 

[momohobobobo]

Yeah coils aren't the best. And yes, the reptisuns are the best. And 10.0 is the best out of them. your 5.0's are alright, but you just need to make sure that they can get very close to them, within 5 inches or so. But since they are doing fine its not much of a matter. And im sure you already know, but if it came with those pellet things for bedding i'd toss it, or use it for something else. I'm personally not big on the whole substrate police stuff like most people here, no offence to the people though . But the pellets are the worst because they hold in moisture and bacteria. your heat is probably fine. Tomorrow take the temps of the tank and let us know. It should be within about 100 to 110 degrees. and the tank will be fine for now, probably til its about a year old or so. Then you'll need bigger. IF you could you might want to try and get bigger tanks. like a 40 gal breeder. a great place to look is on craigs list. I bought a 40 gal breeder for 20 dollars and have seen some for cheaper. You're set up seems to be alright. Just make sure that your temps are alright and that he is getting enough uvb. OH, and of it says its a UVA light thats not too good... sorry to say. Its needs a UVB. and also make sure that you are giving it calcium daily and vitamins at least weekly. And i know that all this stuff really adds up fast :? sometimes its hard to spend the money but once everything is set up correctly you dont need much afterwards. if you need to get certain things, ask here first. people will tell you where to get it the cheapest you can. and whats best to use. Including feeders, some people honestly are giving away roaches here, all you pay is shipping. So until you can get the temps and specifics there's not much i can do. But besides the setup, some beardies just hit growth spurts at different times. Mine didnt grow for a whole 2 months, then the next he grew over an inch, idk how its possible, but he did. But now he is stopped again haha. They really are just like people, everyone is different.

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

I meant uvb I get really confused with all these bulbs xD And as for the temps...my mom refuses to buy a temp gauge to check the temps for me. So I have no idea what the temps are ._. Parents are hard sometimes. :? I'm trying to get a job at the reptile store I go to so I can save up money to buy the right things for my babies. x) And yes, for substrate I'm just using paper towels. I'm thinking of switching to either shelf liner or tile though. Honestly I'll probably just ask for more beardie stuff for christmas. xD

 

[momohobobobo]

yeah that'd work. Its hard to get your parents to buy stuff. The only reason i'm aloud to have mine is because i can pay for it all myself. and be careful with the coil you're using for the little guy, or girl. They often aren't very effective, and they also dont spread the light out very well. Since you cant get anything better just make sure you beardie can get close to it and that it is directly facing his basking spot of wherever you want it to go. I'm not an expert on the coil bulbs but thats what i know from what i've heard. Also, if you wanna save money you could start a roach colony. Parents never like the idea at first. But when they find that you will no longer need to go to the pet store weekly to get crickets they will be thrilled. One of the best to use are Dubia's. If you're interested in them i can give you some info on them. And try to go to the store with you parents if you dont already, cause they most likely dont know what to get and whats best and many pet stores dont know much either, well if its like petco or petsmart or somewhere like that. You can also shop online. Petmountain.com is where most people here shop, and they swear by it. you can get reptisun 10.0 bulbs for about 25 dollars compared to almost $50 at most pet stores.

 

[momohobobobo]

oh, and i just checked and they are only 20 dollars on that site and 40+ at petco haha

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

Lol what sucks is that Dubias are illegal in florida for whatever reason....And with the 10.0's, I tried to convince my mom that they were the best to use but the petstore said it would burn them :roll: and insisted on the 5.0. So it was either 5.0's or the Reptiglo, and I figure a little Reptisun is better than no Reptisun. lol

 

[momohobobobo]

yeah thats true, something is better than nothing. Pet stores can be so stupid. They make you buy the wrong things and a lot of extra stuff that you dont need or that is bad for em. But if they're ok then its not a problem. And that sucks about florida. They dont want anymore foreign species taking over. Especially dubias cause that their perfect environment

 

[Jess]

Are you sure there isnt any way you can get a ReptiSun for you other 2 beardies, and a thermometer too? Both of those things are REALLY important to beardies, especially babies. Those Zilla lights are pretty craptacular, especially the coils, and they could cause some serious problems down the road... Ive heard of beardies still getting MBD with coil lights, and its probably whats effecting the growth of your little one.

Im 16, and I pay for everything for my beardie, and I pay for alot with my other pets too. Can you save up babysitting money or something? You can get ReptiSuns at www.LLLreptile.com for a great price- They have a $10 flat shipping rate, so order a few of them! I got my thermometer at Target for $10, and Wal-Mart has a really good one for $12 too.
My parents dont pay for any of my beardie stuff, so I can get him what I want and take him to the vet and everything as long as I can afford it. I dont have a job either, but I babysit alot. :| I hope your parents are more understanding about your beardies needs.

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

I'm 16 too lol. The thing is is that I don't earn any money anywhere. People ask me to babysit their kids and I tell them sure call me when you need me and they never do. I don't even get allowance. I asked for chores a few years ago and my parents said no. :shock: And I know the Zilla light sucks. But my parents won't listen to me...so I think it shall "accidentally" break.

 

[momohobobobo]

well it'd suck of they didnt wanna get a new one haha. If you really are that tight on money you could maybe get at least one, or two good reptisun lights and sort of switch them around throughout the day. Or change every other day. It'd be annoying, but it might be better for em, maybe.

 

[Jess]

Well, if I were you, there would be a mass explosion of Zilla and Coil lights! :wink:
Oh, and for cheap light fixtures and thermometers, check thrift stores and garage sales too. Ive gotten some nice used flourescent light fixtures and indoor-outdoor thermometers for about $2 at those places. And like I said, that website has some really good deals!
What are you feeding them, and what supplements are you giving them? Those can effect growth too.

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

I give all of them salads consisting of Escarole, Collards, and Turnip Greens, sometimes Endive too. I tried giving them all kinds of squash in their salads but then they don't touch it. xD

The 2 smaller ones (Carrot and Pachinko) eat 1/4 crickets; Carrot usually only eats 40-60 a day while Pachinko eats over a 100.

The 2 bigger ones (Zeffie and Eros) eat 1/2 crickets; They both probably eat around 80 a day.

They also are given silkworms, hornworms, and superworms. The 2 little ones only get the tiny silks and horns though, and Eros mostly eats all the supers because Zeff is still a bit small so she only gets the smaller ones.

Also, I dust crix with Calcium + D3 5x a week and Multivitamins 2x a week.

I think that pretty much covers it.

 

[Jess]

Their diet sounds awesome, so that isnt what is stunting Carrots growth. Just work on getting new UV lights and the thermometers, and Im sure that your baby will grow much faster!