Just Shed, Not eating well, stress marks.

[callum84]

Hey, my bearded dragon started to go off his food abouts a week ago during a shed. At first he would only eat a few crickets during day and then maybe 8 or so in evening. This started to become less and less.
For the last 3 days while shedding his tail hes barely ate anything, i did get him to eat 2 morio worms and a few locust yesterday so hopefully his appetite is on the mend.
Ive noticed he has some really dark stress marks on his underside and around beard, it only seems to be when hes in his viv though, outside viv he quickly lightens and stress marks clear. Could this be due to the shedding??
He is housed in a 2ft x 2ft viv at moment and i have a 4ft ex48 setup and ready to go, ive held back for now as dont want to cause further stress but cant help worrying his viv might be adding to it. Do you think im correct in holding back untill hes eating normally again.

Some further info -

Male dragon, around 4-5 months old. Poops are still normal and regular.
Temps are 80-85f cool and 90 -95 warm. Basking is usualy around 105 - 110f. Housed on repticarpet. Arcadia 12% T5 Reflected @ 16 inches from dragon.
Offered veg daily and fed crickets/locust 3 times a day, dusted once. Sometimes alternate the crickets with locust or calciworms. Never feed anything larger than the space between his eyes.
Bathed daily during shed, eod normally.

Any advice would be greatfully received.

Callum

 

[Beardednoob]

I am not quite familiar with the Arcadia 12% but, is the distance the dragon can get to it adequate? Perhaps just a little further then a Reptisun 10.0 as it is a 2% increase in UV, maybe like 10-12 inches. Is the UV source obstructed? How long have you had your dragon?

Hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable on the Arcadia 12% can chime in on distance.

 

[callum84]

Hey, thanks for reply. I've had him exactly a month. From what I understand the Arcadia T5 12% has double the output of it's T8 counterpart, and a fittedreflector also significantly boosts output.
The new vivarium I've got ready for him has a 46" 12% T5 running full lenghth and a second 22" 12% T5 running I'n parallel over basking spot for double exposure.
Would also like to hear some opinions on that aswell.

Today his appetite appears to be almost back and he looks a lot happier.

I am not quite familiar with the Arcadia 12% but, is the distance the dragon can get to it adequate? Perhaps just a little further then a Reptisun 10.0 as it is a 2% increase in UV, maybe like 10-12 inches. Is the UV source obstructed? How long have you had your dragon?

Hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable on the Arcadia 12% can chime in on distance.

 

[catUK]

hiya, the lack of eating will be due to the shed more than likely- my beardie when she was a baby went off her food completely before and during the shed. I've got the 36inch arcadia 12% in my 4ft viv and have it positioned about 7 inches from basking spot. If you have one the full length of the viv they may not be a need for a second one (might be too much exposure)- as long as you have it the correct distance- i use the arcadia ultra seal controller and have the wires thread through holes in the back and it hung over 2 hooks so it can be lowered.

 

[callum84]

Hey there, are you using the new T5 tubes with electronic controller or the older T8?

I was hoping it was just the shed and appears to have just been that. I moved him over to his new viv a few hours ago and he seems to be loving it.

hiya, the lack of eating will be due to the shed more than likely- my beardie when she was a baby went off her food completely before and during the shed. I've got the 36inch arcadia 12% in my 4ft viv and have it positioned about 7 inches from basking spot. If you have one the full length of the viv they may not be a need for a second one (might be too much exposure)- as long as you have it the correct distance- i use the arcadia ultra seal controller and have the wires thread through holes in the back and it hung over 2 hooks so it can be lowered.

 

[catUK]

I'm using the older T8 one- wasn't sure about the T5 as i hadn't heard any feedback about it.

 

[callum84]

I'm using the older T8 one- wasn't sure about the T5 as i hadn't heard any feedback about it.

What basking bulb are you using? I'm using a 75w currently which keeps my basking spot 110f (surface) but there dosent seem to be that much of a gradient across the viv.
Cool side 85F (air) Warm side 91F (air)
I measure both with a digital thermometer with probe mounted I'n back corners 3 inch from bottom.

Thanks

 

[catUK]

I'm using the older T8 one- wasn't sure about the T5 as i hadn't heard any feedback about it.

What basking bulb are you using? I'm using a 75w currently which keeps my basking spot 110f (surface) but there dosent seem to be that much of a gradient across the viv.
Cool side 85F (air) Warm side 91F (air)
I measure both with a digital thermometer with probe mounted I'n back corners 3 inch from bottom.

Thanks

Those temps seem fine- the reccomended temps are 110 basking spot (for babies), can be a little lower for adults, 90-100 hot end and 75-85 cool end. I use a 100w basking bulb in my 4ft viv. My temps are the same as yours 106-109 basking spot, 92 warm end and 85 cool end.

 

[callum84]

That's good to hear, thankyou for the help. Its appreciated

 

[catUK]

That's good to hear, thankyou for the help. Its appreciated

No problem, anytime

 

[WyattKB]

arcadia 12% is just the british reptisun i think.. dont quote me though

 

[callum84]

Yes I think the Arcadia 12% T8 and Reptisun are pretty similar, the Arcadia T5 tubes however are totally different. Here's some quotes I pulled from another forum.

A high output T5 lamp is entirely different from a standard T8 lamp. The T number just denotes tube width, I.e T8 is one inch, T12 inch and a half and T5 is five eights of an inch, high output T5 is a slim T5 lamp that uses high output and electronic tech to emit 3 times more visible light and u.v. They have to be run on energy efficient and flicker free electronic ballasts.

As a rule of thumb the high output T5 lamps can be safely used in a 3foot high viv, when used with a reflector. This would provide more u.v.b at 30" than a T8 would at 18" ish, every viv is slightly different. The animals will need to be able to climb within 12-18" of the lamp itself to get the full benefit.

 

[catUK]

I'm using the older T8 one- wasn't sure about the T5 as i hadn't heard any feedback about it.

Just checked, not sure if i'm using the T8 or what, just says arcadia 12% but know there's a newer version available. here's the one i use http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/product.php?productid=29039&cat=0&page=1