I am a bad owner and I don’t know what to do. Help.

[nightmareonelmstreet]

Your digital probe thermometer is going to tell you the wattage you need - place that probe on the spot where he bask you want surface basking temps 95-100-- IR guns are good but can be off w/ certain types of basking decor - what UVB did you get?

The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 T5!

 

[KarrieRee]

The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 T5!

Please let me know when your ready to install it --your screen will determine where it needs to go

 

[nightmareonelmstreet]

Please let me know when your ready to install it --your screen will determine where it needs to go

The exact terrarium I own is the Thrive Front Double Door Opening Reptile Terrarium 40 gallon

 

[KarrieRee]

The exact terrarium I own is the Thrive Front Double Door Opening Reptile Terrarium 40 gallon

Ok the screen on the tank is fine mesh like a screen door- or a wide hole type?

 

[nightmareonelmstreet]

Ok the screen on the tank is fine mesh like a screen door- or a wide hole type?

A wide hole type

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That's great you purchased the Reptisun 10 T5
tube bulb, that should help out immensely for your dragon.
Do you plan on having the tube on top of your screen top or try to mount it underneath of the screen top? Since you have the wide hole/mesh type, the exposure from the UVB light should give adequate strength going through the wider hole. The distance can be 10 or so inches from your dragon.
Karrie can review it all for you, do you have a picture for us, so we can look over the lighting placement?

Tracie

 

[KarrieRee]

A wide hole type

Wide hole type the T 5 can stay on the top - get a piece of basking decor directly under it 8-10 inches -- then watch the dragons behavior - appetite should pick up and his colors will be more bright

 

[nightmareonelmstreet]

I got a bearded dragon in July of this year. I was so excited because I have always wanted one. I got her and named her Krueger (a name I had picked out for years). It started off great. She got daily holding, feedings, water and food changes, etc. The new semester began and I won’t lie, I got extremely depressed. I could barely take care of myself and I couldn’t take care of Krueger either. My roommate got a cat, so I have to keep my bedroom door closed. I am scared that the cat will spook Krueger so I keep my door shut, which causes me to not be in my room as frequently as I used to be. I have gone weeks at a time without feeding her and I just feel like an absolute monster. Of course I do not purposefully do this, I love her so much, but as my mental state has declined, I forget to take care of other important things. My mental health is getting better slowly, and I bought Krueger some live crickets the other day and she really loved them. What do I need to do to get her healthy again and how do I restore the relationship we once had? I’ve looked into rehoming her, but I end up sobbing every time I do. What do I do?

hello everyone! just a little update on Krueger and I!! we are both doing so much better now. i purchased the strip UVB for her and replaced the walnut substrate with non-adhesive shelf liner. i wiped everything down with reptile-safe habitat cleaner and checked all temperatures and humidity and everything is perfect. i got some smaller, but nicer, bowls for her greens, insects, and water as well! she is eating well and finishes all of her greens every day with healthy looking excretion. i can tell a big difference in her mood as well. she is not lethargic during the day and is a curious little girl! she took to her new terrarium interior very quickly (after thoroughly licking every surface) with no black beards or anything ! i want to thank everyone on this thread who helped me out through this rough patch. it happens to everyone but i didn’t want to put Krueger through it as well. thanks to everyone here she is one happy little beardie!!

 

[KarrieRee]

hello everyone! just a little update on Krueger and I!! we are both doing so much better now. i purchased the strip UVB for her and replaced the walnut substrate with non-adhesive shelf liner. i wiped everything down with reptile-safe habitat cleaner and checked all temperatures and humidity and everything is perfect. i got some smaller, but nicer, bowls for her greens, insects, and water as well! she is eating well and finishes all of her greens every day with healthy looking excretion. i can tell a big difference in her mood as well. she is not lethargic during the day and is a curious little girl! she took to her new terrarium interior very quickly (after thoroughly licking every surface) with no black beards or anything ! i want to thank everyone on this thread who helped me out through this rough patch. it happens to everyone but i didn’t want to put Krueger through it as well. thanks to everyone here she is one happy little beardie!!

The screen on you tank is a fine mesh or wide whole type-- this will determine where the uvb needs to be placed and distanced - I would get a flatter piece of basking decor for her as well - did you get some digital probe thermometers?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great news little Krueger is doing much better & seems to enjoy her new UVB light also.
The non adhesive shelf liner will be much cleaner & safer so she wont have any chance of getting impacted.
We are all happy to help out here. I agree, the tank setup is terrific but maybe change up the basking area slightly to include a more flat or level basking area to allow for a more even heat & UVB distribution for him.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie