Hi! I’m using a uvb 10.0. I am using actual sand, should I buy a mat? I will definitely clean it. The tank is about 3ft long and 2ft high. I’m sorry I don’t have actual measurements. I feed him 12 crickets everyday, but lately more because he has been looking skinny. Sometimes I add super worms. He loves squash and mixed greens, but I can only get him to eat them if I hand feed him. His tank has a tall branch to bask and two huge rocks as well. He also used to have small wood branches but I threw them away a long time ago. Thanks for responding!Drache613":3a0x2ixj said:Hello,
He looks a bit thin, yes. Can you review more of your tank setup, such as the type/brand
of UVB Lighting, the type of basking light & wattage, supplementation & temperatures? Is
that a sand mat in his tank & not loose sand?
As far as the small bugs, I am not sure what they are but you will need to completely clean
out his tank & disinfect it with either water & vinegar solution, a diluted bleach solution or
by steaming it. If you do use bleach, be sure to rinse very thoroughly, several times.
What sized tank is he housed in?
What types of foods do you feed him?
Tracie
It’s a compact bulb, and he’s about 5 yrs old. I adopted him from a reptile store because he was returned after the family couldn’t take care of him. That was about a year ago.CooperDragon":1yy41smz said:Is your 10.0 UVB light a compact bulb or is it a tube (T8 or T5)? I would get rid of the sand and give the tank a good cleaning. Then put down something that is easy to clean and sanitize or cheap to replace like non adhesive shelf liner.
How old is he? His age will help determine what an appropriate diet is. When I offer live bugs I provide as many as they want in about 10 minutes or so. The number they eat varies. It's good that he's getting some veges in his system. Older dragons should be eating a primarily vegetarian diet so the more variety you can offer him the better. It's fine if he prefers hand feeding.
apolloandrocky":1f8mamnj said:It’s a compact bulb, and he’s about 5 yrs old. I adopted him from a reptile store because he was returned after the family couldn’t take care of him. That was about a year ago.CooperDragon":1f8mamnj said:Is your 10.0 UVB light a compact bulb or is it a tube (T8 or T5)? I would get rid of the sand and give the tank a good cleaning. Then put down something that is easy to clean and sanitize or cheap to replace like non adhesive shelf liner.
How old is he? His age will help determine what an appropriate diet is. When I offer live bugs I provide as many as they want in about 10 minutes or so. The number they eat varies. It's good that he's getting some veges in his system. Older dragons should be eating a primarily vegetarian diet so the more variety you can offer him the better. It's fine if he prefers hand feeding.
I just bought a new light because the light is about 5 1/2 months old, using the one you suggested.kingofnobbys":2ip9r789 said:apolloandrocky":2ip9r789 said:It’s a compact bulb, and he’s about 5 yrs old. I adopted him from a reptile store because he was returned after the family couldn’t take care of him. That was about a year ago.CooperDragon":2ip9r789 said:Is your 10.0 UVB light a compact bulb or is it a tube (T8 or T5)? I would get rid of the sand and give the tank a good cleaning. Then put down something that is easy to clean and sanitize or cheap to replace like non adhesive shelf liner.
How old is he? His age will help determine what an appropriate diet is. When I offer live bugs I provide as many as they want in about 10 minutes or so. The number they eat varies. It's good that he's getting some veges in his system. Older dragons should be eating a primarily vegetarian diet so the more variety you can offer him the better. It's fine if he prefers hand feeding.
I notice his eyes look a bit swollen ==> lack of UVA is a possible cause.
What wattage is the 10%UVB compact ?
…. if it's a 13W , it's way too weak, he'd literally have ware the dome as a hat with the compact turned on to get sufficient UVA and UVB.
…. if it's a 25W or 26W , he needs to be able bask about 6-8 inches from the compact if it's in a reflector dome and NOT sitting ontop a mesh lid/screen
see this for sorting out the proper set up for a bearded dragon's UV lighting : viewtopic.php?f=1&t=244145&p=1859473#p1859473
…. if the UV light is over 6 months old , time to ditch it and replace with new 26W UVB200 compact , or even better to upgrade to a 24W T5HO 10%UVB or 12%UVB tube and a proper reflector hood (see above).
And yes - turf out all that sand , and I suggest use some F10sc made up 1:250 in a spray bottle to sterile the tank now sandless tank - no more sand , nor any other particle type substrate - there is NO good particulate substrate for bearded dragons.
Can you please give us a run down on
the tank temperatures (during the day) at the basking spot, the warm zone, cool zone ?
the photoperiod (when are the lights turned on / off each day) ?
the feeding schedule ? the diet ? ….. I recommend this as your best diet and feeding Schedule guide : viewtopic.php?f=18&t=236074
apolloandrocky":31f5e68m said:I just bought a new light because the light is about 5 1/2 months old, using the one you suggested.kingofnobbys":31f5e68m said:apolloandrocky":31f5e68m said:It’s a compact bulb, and he’s about 5 yrs old. I adopted him from a reptile store because he was returned after the family couldn’t take care of him. That was about a year ago.CooperDragon":31f5e68m said:Is your 10.0 UVB light a compact bulb or is it a tube (T8 or T5)? I would get rid of the sand and give the tank a good cleaning. Then put down something that is easy to clean and sanitize or cheap to replace like non adhesive shelf liner.
How old is he? His age will help determine what an appropriate diet is. When I offer live bugs I provide as many as they want in about 10 minutes or so. The number they eat varies. It's good that he's getting some veges in his system. Older dragons should be eating a primarily vegetarian diet so the more variety you can offer him the better. It's fine if he prefers hand feeding.
I notice his eyes look a bit swollen ==> lack of UVA is a possible cause.
What wattage is the 10%UVB compact ?
…. if it's a 13W , it's way too weak, he'd literally have ware the dome as a hat with the compact turned on to get sufficient UVA and UVB.
…. if it's a 25W or 26W , he needs to be able bask about 6-8 inches from the compact if it's in a reflector dome and NOT sitting ontop a mesh lid/screen
see this for sorting out the proper set up for a bearded dragon's UV lighting : viewtopic.php?f=1&t=244145&p=1859473#p1859473
…. if the UV light is over 6 months old , time to ditch it and replace with new 26W UVB200 compact , or even better to upgrade to a 24W T5HO 10%UVB or 12%UVB tube and a proper reflector hood (see above).
And yes - turf out all that sand , and I suggest use some F10sc made up 1:250 in a spray bottle to sterile the tank now sandless tank - no more sand , nor any other particle type substrate - there is NO good particulate substrate for bearded dragons.
Can you please give us a run down on
the tank temperatures (during the day) at the basking spot, the warm zone, cool zone ?
the photoperiod (when are the lights turned on / off each day) ?
the feeding schedule ? the diet ? ….. I recommend this as your best diet and feeding Schedule guide : viewtopic.php?f=18&t=236074
The basking spot is usually 105 degrees and the cool spot is
Around 86 degrees.
His light turns off at 9 and turns on at 8.
<<< that is 11 hours per day - this is WAY TOO SHORT , he thinks it's perpetually winter , see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=236209&p=1815777#p1815777
I STRONGLY recommend you bump this up by at least 4 hours per day , investment in a table lamp timer is an excellent idea , this way you can set and forget the photoperiod and know the lights will turn on & off the same times EVERY DAY
I have all my UV and basking lights on the one timer via an 8 outlet powerboard , this this timer I use : https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-24-7-slimline-digital-timer_p4420556 which works a treat, some use mechanic timers that you dial up (and tick).
Thank you guys for the help!
apolloandrocky":3enw5qx0 said:It’s a compact bulb, and he’s about 5 yrs old. I adopted him from a reptile store because he was returned after the family couldn’t take care of him. That was about a year ago.CooperDragon":3enw5qx0 said:Is your 10.0 UVB light a compact bulb or is it a tube (T8 or T5)? I would get rid of the sand and give the tank a good cleaning. Then put down something that is easy to clean and sanitize or cheap to replace like non adhesive shelf liner.
How old is he? His age will help determine what an appropriate diet is. When I offer live bugs I provide as many as they want in about 10 minutes or so. The number they eat varies. It's good that he's getting some veges in his system. Older dragons should be eating a primarily vegetarian diet so the more variety you can offer him the better. It's fine if he prefers hand feeding.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?