MVB question.

[Lpsouth1978]

I posted this in my intro thread, but have not received any answers on it so here I go here.

Background:

I have a 4 month old bearded dragon that I have had for about 2 months. He has grown well and seems healthy. The problem is that lately he has been displaying LOTS of stress marks and dark colors when in his enclosure. As soon as I take him out he lightens up and looks as happy as can be. I have covered the sides of his enclosure so he can only see out the front. It is in a room that has NO activity during the day, so I don't think it is too busy or noisy for him. The only thing I can think of is that his MVB is only 8-10 inches above his basking spot. Is this too close and causing him to be overly stressed? If so, I can easily change to a standard or basking bulb as I have several around. Here are the rest of his enclosure params:

40g Breeder
paper towel substrate
24" Reptisun 10.0 UVB 2 months old
125 watt MVB 2 months old
Basking tamps 99-106
Cool side temps 80
I feed him collard, mustard, turnip greens, and reptiworms primarily.
He gets baths at least every other day
Weight - 79g
Length - 12"

Any other help or ideas would be appreciated. Here are a couple of pics of his enclosure.

 

[bobbycarp]

I believe this to be normal. He looks like he opted to not be directly under the bulb. Might be too to hot in the spot so he moved a bit and darkened up to collect what he needs from light. Dark isn't always stress. Mine does this when he seems to be too warm in his usual spot which reads around 101 on his back with an infrared temp gun.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

It is not just his back. He also has a TON of stress marks. His belly is as much black as it is white. He was actually in the bath when I took those pictures.

 

[Mistyck]

I have a question...Why are you using a MVB if you've got a UVB bulb?

 

[Sauzo]

Why do you have a UVB tube AND a MVB? Maybe not being able to get away from UVB has him stressing. They need to be able to "escape" from UVB sometimes.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

I have a question...Why are you using a MVB if you've got a UVB bulb?

A question I have heard a lot.

I just figured this was the best way to ensure he has adequate UV exposure anywhere in his tank, since the reptisun does not span the length of the enclosure. I am always a better safe than sorry kind of pet owner.

Why do you have a UVB tube AND a MVB? Maybe not being able to get away from UVB has him stressing. They need to be able to "escape" from UVB sometimes.

I did not realize they need to get away from the UV. I guess I will change the MVB for a basking bulb and see if he colors up or at least gets rid of the stress marks.

 

[Mistyck]

A question I have heard a lot.

I just figured this was the best way to ensure he has adequate UV exposure anywhere in his tank, since the reptisun does not span the length of the enclosure. I am always a better safe than sorry kind of pet owner.

The UVB does not need to span the length of the tank...

 

[bobbycarp]

Ouch I didn't clue into the second UVB.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Thank you all for the help. I will fix that tonight and see how he does over the weekend.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Lp...that's a beautiful set up by the way, with a nice assortment of climbing areas. I would agree that there may be too much UVB, what you can do is switch the MVB to a regular white house bulb . Then save the MVB for when the Reptisun 10.0 is about 6 months old and the UVB output has diminished but still gives off light, then you can use them together. One other little thing to keep an eye on, if your dragon likes greens he might decide to try a bite of your fake greenery...so check to see that he doesn't decide to add some silk or plastic to his diet.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

He doesn't really care much for his greens yet, but I will keep a watchful eye.