mvb

[bmmst1]

i was thinking of buying a mvb for firecracker because it's not getting hot enough on his basking side, its only btw 85-90,but when its nice out its between 95-105
i just need to know how far for fc does it need to be and if this is what i need or not

http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-incandescent-bulbs/107801/powersun-uv.html

im looking for the best product for the best price.

 

[Embee]

Hi,

When you say the temps on the basking "side" are you referring to the actual basking spot, directly under the light? Are you using a digital with probe, laying the probe exactly where beardie basks, to gauge temps? If not, then you probably aren't getting accurate basking temps. I would certainly get a digital with probe (if you're not already using one that is), before making any decisions. You will certainly want to know the exact basking temp UNDER THE LIGHT before proceeding. I won't steer you away from using a MVB. We use one and it's been WONDERFUL for beardie, however, if it's more heat you're after, perhaps you simply need a higher wattage basking light? What wattage basking light are you using, and what type (basking specific, household incandescent, household flood)? What are you using for UVB (type and brand) btw?

The PowerSun is a 'good' bulb. That said, the PowerSun is not as strong as some in terms of UVB and heat. Honestly, for a few bucks more you can get a TRex MVB, http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-heat-bulbs/503619/t-rex-active-uv-heat-flood-spot-lamps.html which emits much stronger UVB, and throws out more heat than the PowerSun.

To note, for a MVB, your tank should be 40 gallons or larger. For a 100w (40 to 55-60 gallon tank), the bulb should be no closer than 12 inches from beardie. For a 160w (75 gallon and up), no closer than 18 inches. You will have to use calcium dust withOUT D3, http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-health/105556/rep-cal-ultrafine-calcium-without-vitamin-d3.html Also, VERY important: these bulbs have a burn in period of a few days. You will want to check temps OFTEN during the first four or so days and adjust your bulb accordingly. We had perfect basking temps on the first day at 12+ inches. By the 3rd day, they were too high and we had to adjust the bulb up. By the fourth day, things leveled off and we ended up with a distance of 14-15 inches from bulb to beardie basking spot. Remember, when checking temps, to place the probe DIRECTLY under the light, exactly where beardie basks and leave the probe for 45 minutes BEFORE reading the temp.

Hope this helps! Best of luck in whatever you decide.

The best,
Em

 

[Spike22]

If you want the best mvb go with the mega ray from reptile UV. I stopped using the 10.0 tube lights about 4 months ago, and got mega ray. aAfter a week of using it i saw a huge improvement in my dragon her color got brighter and she started to eat more.

here is the link to reptile UV http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-products.php

 

[bmmst1]

i got a therm with a probe and his temps are good. i was just using the acurite therm without the probes. his reading are 76 on cool side about 85 in the middle and 103 on his basking spot, is that good?

 

[Embee]

Firecracker is a young beardie, a juvenile? If so, you want your basking temps just a tick higher, 105-110 is ideal. If you can move the bulb slightly closer, that can help. Or, raise the basking area a slight bit, but of course, you don't want beardie any closer than 6 inches to the UVB, so make sure in adjusting a basking area that minimum distances remain observed. I assume you're using a tube UVB then, such as a ReptiSun 10.0 tube?

The best,
Em

 

[bmmst1]

yes im im using reptisun 10.0 firecracker is 10 months old. i've been adjusting his lights and i cant get it right yet, once i got it to 114 so i moved the lamps up now its 101 when i come home from work i will try to get it 105. his cool area is 76 now.

 

[Embee]

yes im im using reptisun 10.0 firecracker is 10 months old. i've been adjusting his lights and i cant get it right yet, once i got it to 114 so i moved the lamps up now its 101 when i come home from work i will try to get it 105. his cool area is 76 now.

I hear ya. I feel like the getting the temps right is on-going thing. It seems especially challenging right now because spring has brought some rather "unstable" temps that have been really vacillating, and the room where we have our beardie isn't part of our central heating system, so outside temps really change things from day to day. It can be so frustrating.

Being that your dragon is getting a bit older I wonder, is he still eating like a juvie or is that slowing down a bit? I know when they get more to the sub-adult stage, the temps start to come down so I wonder if 101 is sufficient, but I can't say for sure. I think that area between juvie and sub-adult tends to vary with dragons, rate of growth being individual that is.

Best of luck!

Em

 

[bmmst1]

he wont eat any live food. he refuses it he would rather eat hos greens and veggies. i have him by the window in my room so when the weather changes outside so do the temps in his enclosure. very frustrating i keep having to move things around. is is a problem that he dosent eat any live food?

 

[Embee]

he wont eat any live food. he refuses it he would rather eat hos greens and veggies. i have him by the window in my room so when the weather changes outside so do the temps in his enclosure. very frustrating i keep having to move things around. is is a problem that he dosent eat any live food?

Well, I've heard of this happening, but dragons do need protein so it would be a concern, yes. Are you feeding something as a protein replacement? And has he always refused live food or is a newer development? At 10 months, may I ask the size of your dragon, in inches, tip of nose to tip of tail?

My dragon is the opposite, 6-7 months and can't be bothered with veggies, save for a nibble now and then. Thankfully I can load up the crickets on them and she gets them that way.

The best,
Em

 

[bmmst1]

Well, I've heard of this happening, but dragons do need protein so it would be a concern, yes. Are you feeding something as a protein replacement? And has he always refused live food or is a newer development? At 10 months, may I ask the size of your dragon, in inches, tip of nose to tip of tail?

My dragon is the opposite, 6-7 months and can't be bothered with veggies, save for a nibble now and then. Thankfully I can load up the crickets on them and she gets them that way.

The best,
Em[/quote]




well he has had a pooping problem so he wasnt eating anything at all, he was backed up with sand, so i took that out and now have tile. so i'm still feeding his babyfood chicken and squash. bathing him everyday for about 25-30 mins, but atleast hes showing some kind of intrest in food other than the babyfood.

 

[Embee]

well he has had a pooping problem so he wasnt eating anything at all, he was backed up with sand, so i took that out and now have tile. so i'm still feeding his babyfood chicken and squash. bathing him everyday for about 25-30 mins, but atleast hes showing some kind of intrest in food other than the babyfood.

Oh, I see, extenuating circumstances. Is he pooping for you now then? Perhaps once he's had some time to get up and going again after the impaction, he'll show some interest in hoppers and wigglers. The veggies are great for him under any circumstances, but in your case, wonderful that he accepts them so well--good fiber certainly can be a good thing for a backed up beardie. :wink: The chicken baby food is a good substitute protein, of course.

Being that he's still a juvenile, and dealing with previous impaction, I would definitely make an effort to get the basking temps up as it can really assist in their digestion. Being that he's been in a bit of slow down, he probably still has some growing to do? What is his size, btw?

Have you decided what to do about the heat lamp; mvb, or higher wattage basking bulb?

The best,
Em

 

[bmmst1]

hes 17 inches. i actually got my temps good, 105.6 on basking spot 88 in the middle and 76 on cool side, i thinks that's about perfect. no he isn't pooping regular he had his poop after the impaction about a week ago and hasn't since so im trying i called the vet and cant get him in for 2 weeks, so im just going to wait and see what happens, hopefully it fixes itself, i hate taking him to the vet, he hates the vet hes the nicest beardie ever never hisses or tryies to bite but he dosen't like the vet he always hisses at him, never tried to bite him.....YET hahahah