Husbandry Suggestions ?

[NuggetsMama]

Hi There ! I’m currently battling what seems to be a multitude of infections with my little guy Nugget .. while we’re treating him, I’m trying to figure out what conditions may have contributed to this outcome. Any and all tips, suggestions & thoughts welcome !! (Biggest concern is UVB)

Little background (**not necessary to read for input**) - I got nugget at the end of Nov 2019, at the time I was told he was around 3 years old. His original owner gave him to my relative when he was getting picked on by his co-hab dragons ?, and then after she had for a year she stopped taking care of him. He was in sub par conditions when she got him - 20G tank Coil UVB inadequate heating - and he stayed like that while in her care. On top of that , he was only fed VERY occasionally crickets and bell peppers. After a few months of begging she agreed to rehome him to me. He is my first reptile and I had to learn on the fly. I thought I had everything finally perfect before he got sick. He was doing great until Mid February .

This is a 36x18x18 exo Terra
Heating - Dome fixture with 150W basking bulb
-100 W Ceramic Heat Emitter for night time heat

**in the current set up photo below - tip of that basking log is 12 inches from the Basking bulb. This did not achieve adequate basking temps as measured by temp gun so I purchased the taller log you see in the second picture. Eventually I suspected this caused nugget to be too close to the basking bulb (6 inches) . I put the hammock slightly higher Than the original log at 9 inches away to finally achieve adequate temps.

Basking temps - 95-106
Cool side - 73-82

Humidity 26-35

UVB - this caused for such a headache will all the conflicting info out there . I’m starting to be concerned it is also too close. As stated above, the further spot on the hammock Where he lays is 14 inches diagonally from the UVB, with the previous taller log he was only 12 inches away. The bulb is a T5 Arcadia 12% mounted inside with a Sunblaster fixture with reflector. He has a hide in each back corner but never uses them.

In the older picture you can see I had to use extra insulation as my radiator was broken at that time and was pretty cool in my apartment. They have since been removed

 

[KarrieRee]

12% bulb inside tank should be 12-15 inches from basking decor w/ NO cover on the bulb - bulb should be exposed -- so 14 inches is good --- how is his behavior and poops? Is he eating? That UVB will tell you if its working w/ his behavior --
Karrie

 

[NuggetsMama]

I set him up in this tank at the end of December. From then until February he was eating great & pooping regularly. As he got sick end of Jan / early February he slowed down to 1 bowel movement every 5 days. They were normal. His energy level and everything was great until he started to develop a sore on the outside of his lip end of Jan. Inside was fine. He also had some stuck shed in his eyes which are now infected looking as well.

I thought maybe his distance from his bulbs were causing some sort of burn ? Is that possible ? Also, since he’s been sick he is sticking to one side of his hammock directly under The basking bulb where he is 14 inches from UVB. The other end of his hammock is only about 6 inches from the UVB. When he’s feeling better and back to exploring his terrarium is that dangerous? Or is it okay as long as he has the option to get away from it.

Should I mount it on top of the screen to be safe ?

 

[KarrieRee]

He will move away from it if its too much UVB-- the hot basking bulb is how far? Is that 14 inches too? And yes the basking bulb will cause a burn if its too close - The hammock is too close 6" is too close for a T 5 - its easier to move decor than the fixture----------- so the basking bulb is 6" away now -- you need to take a temp w/ a digital probe or heat gun - if its over 110 where hes sitting its too hot
Karrie

 

[NuggetsMama]

The basking bulb is now 9 inches away, it was only 6 when he developed the sore on his mouth (you think that’s close enough to cause the burn?) At that time he was also only 12 inches away from UVB.

Since getting sick I moved him onto his hammock and raised it on a slant so that he is now 9 inches away from the basking bulb when positioned directly under the basking bulb. From that position he is 14 inches away from the UVB. If he were to crawl across the hammock (he is too lethargic to do so right now) he would then be 6inches away. Is it dangerous for him to even have the option? Or will he avoid that side anyway ?

I always use a temp gun to measure temps - it is usually 95-106 on his basking area.

 

[KarrieRee]

6" is too close for the UVB --- as long as he is in the 14 inch area for UVB you are good - as long as his spot hes sitting for the basking area is not over 110 hes good - hes lethargic because hes sick ? The Sunblaster fixture -- please read Brandons post on the discussion boards --- at the very top there is a topic on those right now
Karrie

 

[NuggetsMama]

Yes he’s lethargic due to infection & antibiotic. Once he’s a little more lively I’ll rearrange things again

 

[KarrieRee]

Please read post on sunblaster fixtures top of boards under announcements
Karrie

 

[NuggetsMama]

I will thank you - I’ve heard some have had issues with the reflector mine looked okay but I’ll ready more into it

In your opinion what is the best fixture for the Arcadia 12% ?

 

[KarrieRee]

Zoo med makes good fixtures- those are the only ones I know of besides a generic one on pangea reptiles website- I don't know what brand that one is--
Karrie