I'm worried about my beardie!! Please help.

[CooperDragon]

Some folks mount them with command hooks. You also may be able to suspend it from a mesh top or a crossbar using hooks or line of some sort. As long as it's stable and safe, you can get a bit creative.

 

[Tonja]

I mounted both of my fixtures to the inside back wall of my tanks with heavy duty Velcro I got in the sewing dept at walmart. Its industrial and has a grip that has held mine up for 3 years now without a problem or risk of them falling.

 

[Taterbug]

I was able to get the ReptiSun 10.0 and the the ReptiSun Terrarium Hood with a late Christmas present gift card. I'm just trying to figure out how to mount the hood inside... Will I have to get another fixture for the bulb?

Which hood and bulb did you get? T5 or T8?

 

[clynnp]

I was able to get the ReptiSun 10.0 and the the ReptiSun Terrarium Hood with a late Christmas present gift card. I'm just trying to figure out how to mount the hood inside... Will I have to get another fixture for the bulb?

Which hood and bulb did you get? T5 or T8?

I believe I got the T8. Here's what I got (sorry for the poor picture quality) :

<a href="http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/clynnp/media/imagejpg1_zps288247ff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii564/clynnp/imagejpg1_zps288247ff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo imagejpg1_zps288247ff.jpg"/></a>
ZooMed ReptiSun Reptile Terrarium Hood

ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Reptile Lamp

Is it bad that I have the T8? Should I have gotten a T5 or a T8 HO?

 

[clynnp]

Whoops! Goofed up the last post. Giving it another try.

I believe I got the T8. Here's what I got (sorry for the poor picture quality) :


ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Reptile Lamp



ZooMed ReptiSun Reptile Terrarium Hood


Is it bad that I have the T8? Should I have gotten a T5 or a T8 HO?

 

[Taterbug]

It's not bad really, but the set up requirments are quite different. The benefit of the T5 HO is that they have a greater effective range, higher output of uvb and more visible light/brightness. They can also be mounted outside the screen with less concern. I prefer them personally but T8 still work fine.

As the other posters suggest there are many ways to hang the fixture (I like zip ties) but it's best with no screen in the way, about 8-10" away. With screen you loose about 25-35% of the light, so at 6-8" you can still get uvb about the same levels. Reflector, hood and type of screen all effect the output so it's usually easier to avoid screen to get the most out of the T8 bulbs.

 

[clynnp]

With the ReptiSun 10.0 can it go the entire length of the terrarium? I know it gives off less heat so is it ok that it stretches to the cool side as long as the temperatures are correct on the cool side?

 

[clynnp]

I think I might have to return the ReptiSun Hood because I can't figure out any way to mount it on the inside safely :/ all the videos I find online show people using under the counter fixtures but they don't have the reflection like the ReptiSun fixture does and if I month the ReptiSun fixture on the back of my terrarium using the top of the hood, the light will be directed the wrong way.

 

[linkthelizard]

If you want to mount it inside then yes, you will need to purchase a new fixture. There are under the cabinet fluorescent fixtures at Walmart for about $12. Make sure to take the thin plastic cover off the fixture if there is one (so there's nothing between your dragon and the light). You will also need something to hang it on. I use two Command Sawtooth Sticky Nail Hangers which will stick to the glass nicely. The fixture should have holes in the back for these to attach to. If you wants specifics these are what I use...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-Lights-of-America-4.5W-LED-Linkable-Strip-Light/36785839?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=EyvYNxtv2NBkggsLwXHRRg&category=&client_guid=86b460af-58f1-420a-89c6-e3880e7024a5&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=36785838&guid=37e0369f-a634-4bcd-9e97-dc73a5004cb9&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.0&findingMethod=p13n

http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Products/Catalog/~/Command-Sawtooth-Sticky-Nail-Hanger?N=5924736+3294529207+3294774821&rt=rud

 

[linkthelizard]

Also, the fixture only needs reflectors if the light is far away from the dragon. If it's inside the tank, it will be perfectly close to your baby

 

[clynnp]

Do you guys think the ReptiSun 10.0 T8 @18" will be enough? I'm still worried about Charlie. Normal BM's but no appetite. Loving warm water misting though. Just worried about MBD because I can't get the calcium into him if he's not eating. Although, maybe the normal BM's are a sign he's sneaking crickets when I'm not looking. Going to Lowe's tonight so I can officially get the ReptiSun inside the terrarium. I'll keep you posted on how he does in the next couple of days. A few things I've been thinking about:
1) If Charlie has to be 6" away from the UVB, will I have to lower the basking sight in the terrarium? Then I'll have to correct that too.
2) I need to try and get him to see a vet no matter what. In what area are the prices? Just an estimate.
3) Would Dubias be too rough on his system too? I figured that since some people were saying that meal worms were too rough, Dubias might be too. I'm asking because a new aquatic and reptile shop opened near me and they have Dubias. I hope they get more of a variety of live food in the future!
4) I've had to take quite a few lady bugs out of my freshwater aquarium. I haven't seen any actually in his terrarium but I was worried one might have gotten in and made him sick.

 

[CooperDragon]

At 18'' you'll want a MVB or T5 bulb. The T8 really doesn't have much range. You'll need to do a combination of adjustments to the basking site height and the height of the lighting. This is a pretty constant process at first, requiring a lot of tweaking. After you have it dialed in though, you only need to make seasonal adjustments based on the temperature of the room.

A basic exam at my vet costs $33.20. Additional tests and medications if needed can cost extra, but I don't feel that they are unreasonable at all. For example, 3 weeks of Baytril costs $26.20. Aerobic culture and sensitivity tests costs $88.40. A blood test costs $35.63. A small biopsy costs $85. I can't find the bill for x-rays at the moment, but it was under $100. Hopefully that gives you an idea of vet costs, your mileage may vary of course.

Dubias should be OK. Especially if you can feed some of the smaller ones with softer shells. They are a good staple feeder to use and are easy to keep/raise.

Lady bugs aren't good. Do your best to keep him away from them. That said, if he eats something toxic, based on what I've seen, things go downhill quickly so I don't think that is the case here. If you are concerned about toxins/wild bugs, you can keep some activated charcoal available to dilute and feed in case of emergency (swallowed a lightning bug etc).

 

[Taterbug]

Where you able to get your temperatures higher?
Also, what size crickets are you offering? How big where the ones he was interested in eating? Hopefully he likes the dubia

The vets in my area charge 40 for an office visit and 15 for a fecal float and 45 for a lab fecal. Cooper, your diagnostics prices have me envious.

 

[clynnp]

At 18'' you'll want a MVB or T5 bulb. The T8 really doesn't have much range. You'll need to do a combination of adjustments to the basking site height and the height of the lighting. This is a pretty constant process at first, requiring a lot of tweaking. After you have it dialed in though, you only need to make seasonal adjustments based on the temperature of the room.

A basic exam at my vet costs $33.20. Additional tests and medications if needed can cost extra, but I don't feel that they are unreasonable at all. For example, 3 weeks of Baytril costs $26.20. Aerobic culture and sensitivity tests costs $88.40. A blood test costs $35.63. A small biopsy costs $85. I can't find the bill for x-rays at the moment, but it was under $100. Hopefully that gives you an idea of vet costs, your mileage may vary of course.

Dubias should be OK. Especially if you can feed some of the smaller ones with softer shells. They are a good staple feeder to use and are easy to keep/raise.

Lady bugs aren't good. Do your best to keep him away from them. That said, if he eats something toxic, based on what I've seen, things go downhill quickly so I don't think that is the case here. If you are concerned about toxins/wild bugs, you can keep some activated charcoal available to dilute and feed in case of emergency (swallowed a lightning bug etc).

Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it!

I looked into the T5 and I going to give the T8 a shot because I was able to find all the equipment for it and was difficult to locate what I would need for the T5. I have it mounted inside the terrarium and Charlie already seems to be more active and more willing to interact with me.

The info you shared with me about your vet was very helpful. I'm making a few calls today to get some information about some of the vets in my area. Hoping to find one I like.

I'm placing an order for Dubias and other feeders today. Hopefully, something will catch Charlie's eye and hopefully the weather doesn't completely destroy them in shipping. I've completely removed mealworms from his diet. I still don't see him interested in the crickets. I try and count when I put them in and take them out but I always mess that up. I am keeping a log starting today. He is making BM's so he must be sneaking them when I'm not looking.

I think I was just paranoid after finding ladybugs in my aquarium. Where does one find the activated charcoal? Have you ever had to use it or know any one who has?

Once again, thanks!

 

[clynnp]

Where you able to get your temperatures higher?
Also, what size crickets are you offering? How big where the ones he was interested in eating? Hopefully he likes the dubia

The vets in my area charge 40 for an office visit and 15 for a fecal float and 45 for a lab fecal. Cooper, your diagnostics prices have me envious.

Thank you so much for your help!
My temperatures were up right before I switched to the ReptiSun and now I'm working on raising them again. Ordering a temperature gun today.
I have been offering small crickets. Sometimes a end up with a few large crickets by mistake and he lunges for them. Or he used to but now he's not interested in those either. Ordering feeders today.

Thanks for the vet info. Making a few calls today!