Is my lighting correct? Help!

[Nessiedrakosmom]

I have another post in beardie ER at the moment because youngest and first beardie drako is not doing well. And i have no idea what could be causing it. Ive been reading constantly and i just cant figure out what is wrong. I cant take him to the vet yet because of new years so two more days!
So his tank is 40 gal. With mesh on the top which my lights are currently sitting on.
100w basking heat bulb brand zoo med
A resptisun 10.0 compact UVB tube right next to the heat bulb in a deep dome light fixture on top of the mesh. He is 6in away from it in his basking spot.
I also have a CHE for overnight

In my reading I've just found out that the compacts are not good or adequate for UVB and that being on mesh makes them even worse??? Drako has been lethargic, refusing to eat, and refusing to move from his basking perch. Could the wrong bulb be causing that?? Im very worried about him and had no idea compacts werent good for them.

 

[Bear333]

Hi there,

Yes, compact uvb lighting could very well be the cause for this, or some of it. A good uvb is a reptisun t5 HO or Arcadia 12%. These are both tubes. Both of these options can sit on top of your mesh screen giving your bearded dragon an adequate amount of UVB as long as he can get within 10-12 inches of the UVB. Good luck with your new beardie!

 

[Nessiedrakosmom]

Thank you!! Looks like im going to the pet store today

 

[CooperDragon]

What are the surface temps around the tank? I suggest using an IR temp gun or digital thermometer with probes (one for basking surface and one for cool side) to make sure there is a healthy temperature gradient. Look for 100-110 across the basking surface with areas around that in the 90s and a gradient down to 75-80 or so on the cool side.

You may not find a good T5 UVB at a local pet store unfortunately (worth checking though). The 22'' ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia 12% T5 bulbs that were mentioned are good options. If you can't find them locally, then you can get them shipped to you from online.

 

[Nessiedrakosmom]

I have the correct bulbs and good fixtures on the way but still have 2 more days till theyre here. What can i do in the meantime??? Its been about a week now of him not eating or barely eating. Im really worried about him

 

[CooperDragon]

A couple of days shouldn't make a huge difference. I would try to keep him warm. The current UVB light can probably be turned off. I would try to check your temps to make sure those are on point. If you have an area for him to sit by a window, he will get some sunlight there which may be beneficial. The glass will block UVB but they like to bask in the heat of natural sun.

 

[Nessiedrakosmom]

Bulbs and fixtures are finally here yay! What a load off my mind. I did take drako to the vet because he wasnt using his back legs. Doc ruled out a fracture or something broken and concluded it was low calcium. He pointed me towards a good gut loading cricket diet and gave drako an injection for calcium and some oral supplement to "kickstart" his system to get him eating again. He is eating here and there but isn't too happy with me and turns his nose at most of what i offer him. Currently weighing him everyday to see if he loses weight, and we'll go from there.

Lighting question now. The fixture i ordered is actually branded to grow plants off a suggestion from my other post on here. Theyre actually quite nice and not big and bulky like reptile brand hoods, and the reflector on it isnt just a cheap film. And they came with mounting and hanging hardware. Though they did come with bulbs which i didnt know it would. They are t5ho but it says 6400k and nothing about 10.0. I have the reptisun bulbs in right now because i know theyre correct. Would these bulbs be able to be used?

Also temps are spot on, although i am on the east coast and im sure some of you know weve got the temps in single digits over here. Window is def out of the question because of cold, though during summer ill definitely be taking him outside every chance i get. Hes actually out of his basking spot and under the uvb mostly so fingers crossed he feels much better soon!

 

[AngelsAnimals]

If you ordered the reptisun fixture made by zoo med then it's probably a t5 5.0 that the fixture comes with. it can be used but it would have to mounted under the screen and be closer than a 10.0 would be ( I'm not sure exactly how close, but i believe it's recommended to be about 4-6" away )

 

[Lilbear]

Not an expert by any stretch of the means....however my first advise would be changing your lighting arrangement. A 100w heat lamp 6" away from a baby, in a glass enclosure, will cook bacon at that distance. For your tank arrangement there are hoods that have two screw-in fixtures for heat and a single fixture for a 24" fluorescent UVB. These hoods don't use a screen and the fixture arrangement ensures proper heat and UVB projections. Also you'll need a hide so junior can beat that heat. Put your hand under that light for five minutes, at that distance and you'll understand that's probably too hot. Good luck.

 

[Nessiedrakosmom]

I didnt realize that i hadnt mentioned that drako was 8-9 months old and no longer a jr. D: i did however use the IR temp gun and on his basking log (piece of driftwood really) is in the high 90s. Around that the low 90s and it does gradient down to the low 80s/high 70s on his cool side.

Which the cool side i imagine is only that warm because i have the fire roaring in here to beat the cold. Mostly for the beardies since i can cuddle up with blankets.

Its only if he squeezed himself at the very tippy top of his log and was somehow able to fit that he would really be 6in away. His log slopes down away so only his head would be 6in. Im sure i could move it though if that is a concern.

 

[CooperDragon]

The 6400k bulb is a daylight bulb. It produces a nice bright visible light but not UVB. You'll want the ReptiSun 10 or Arcadia 12% T5 bulb in there to produce UVB but if you have a dual fixture you can use the 6400k bulb as a secondary bulb for extra light.