I think I have to tweek the lights....your imput please

[FaaFaa]

OK I have been reading, and re-reading some posts on the lighting. I thought that I had things right, but now I am 2nd quessing myself. Maybe I'm just trying to make things difficult, I'm good at that.

This is what I have....
Typical crossfire enclosure with a MVB on one side, it's a T-Rex active UV heat 100 watt flood Chaos is about 9 inches away from it and the temp is reading 110 pretty steady. I take the temp with a probe thermometer. Then I also have a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube on the other side of his viv. Both bulbs were purchased in mid-may when I got him so neither of them is old.

This is what I think I need to do...
Drop his basking spot by about 3 inches, because I have read that he should be about 12 inches from the MVB.
Remove the tube all together because I read that this can cause him to OD on D3.

Now, tell me if what I "think" I need to do correct or if I need to change it all together. Let me know if you need more info.

Chaos is still young, about 5 months old and almost 15 inches. He seems just fine and eats well, except the veggies, but he is still young. I just want to make sure that I have all of this right. I would hate for something to go wrong due to my ignorance.

Jen

 

[smurfthebeardie]

I don't know the relation of how big the tank is compared to the bulb, but dragons DO need d3 and UVB.

 

[FaaFaa]

I don't know the relation of how big the tank is compared to the bulb, but dragons DO need d3 and UVB.

Yes, I am aware of that.... but I did read that both bulbs would cause an overdose of D3 I jus didn't know how true that was...

 

[diamc]

I agree with you that you should increase the distance from the MVB to the basking spot. You should have it at least 12" away and can even have it at 18" with good output. Make sure the bulb has had about 3 days burn in time because they do get hotter the 2nd & 3rd days. So, once you have done that (unless you have already), then you'll want to get a reading at 12" and adjust further away as needed.

I also agree that you should remove the fluorescent UVB because the MVB's produce enough UV rays on their own as well as putting out D3. Also make sure that the calcium you're using doesn't contain D3.

 

[FaaFaa]

Thank you Diamc for confirming my thoughts. It's so hard to tell what is right with everything you hear and read. I feel like out of 100% of the info given to me that I should only trust about 20% of it! At least I know that I can count on what I get here on this site. I have turned off the tube light and re-arranged his cage a bit he now has a mulit-leveled basking area so that he can be anywhere from 11 to 16 inches away from the bulb. (I did it this afternoon) And yes, his calcium is D3 free!

Just for curositys(sp?) sake what happens if I would have left Chaos with a basking spot that was only 9" from the bulb? Is it just because it is too hot that close or is it a health risk? I wonder because he has been that close to his MVB since May, wich was when I got him.

Also I'm sure that Chaos it totally healthy but what would be the signs/symptoms of a D3 overdose?

Thanks!
Jen

 

[diamc]

Did he prefer laying as close as only 9" away from it or did he lay a little further down? The MVB's throw off a lot of heat as well as a large amount of UV rays, so that's why it's important to have at least the minimum distance. As you know, if the temps are too high, it can cause rapid dehydration. Signs that the UV is too close would be eye issues, lethargy, fatigue, loss of appetite as well as wt loss. D3 toxicity can cause kidney failure and those symptoms would be excessive thirst, frequent urination as well as the other symptoms I just mentioned. Since Chaos has been acting fine, I wouldn't worry. Great that you've made some adjustments though.

 

[FaaFaa]

Thanks for the info Diane... I always wondered why Chaos laid under his basking spot more than on it, now I know why!

Jen