my buddy in cave more than basking spot.

[rex2311]

So my 9 month old buddy spud has been in his cave more that his basking spot and by that I mean he is sleeping whenever he is in his terrarium. The breeder I bought him from said it was lack of UVB because of coil UVB bulb. so I got a florescent UVB light yesterday. So now he has been less tired now and much more active when I take him out but he eats well but he still spends a lot of time in the cave. and I noticed his basking spot was about 120 degrees F? Is that to hot? Does he just need time to recover from the lack of UVB? or both? let me know what you think.

 

[diamc]

Congratulations on your new beardie.

Good that you replaced the coil UVB with a fluorescent tube, which one did you get the Repti-Sun 10.0 or Repti-GLO?

A basking temp of 120 degrees is too high, even for a baby so I would definitely suggest that you lower the bulb wattage or the basking spot. Could you fill us in on the type of thermometer you're using to ck the temps? For a 9 mo old, I would recommend a basking temp of 100 to perhaps 105 but if it is any higher than that, he may avoid basking which isn't good because it will prevent proper digestion. Would also be a good idea to give him a bath a day to at least for the next few days to make sure he is well hydrated.

 

[rex2311]

Im pretty sure its a reptisun 10.0.

 

[diamc]

The brand name should be stamped right on the side of the bulb if you want to make sure.

What are you using for a thermometer?

How did your beardie do today?

 

[rex2311]

yep its a reptisun as for the thermometer its a probe. I just sometimes place it on the basking spot.

 

[diamc]

Great that it's the Repti-Sun fluorescent tube. Make sure it 6 to 8" from him while he's in his basking spot & right alongside a bright white basking bulb. Is the UVB mounted inside the tank?

That's good that you have a probe thermometer. To get the basking SURFACE temp, the probe should be resting on the basking log or rock and then wait 45 min to an hr before getting the final basking temp.

I know you said before the basking temp was 120, were you able to lower that at all?

 

[rex2311]

the reptisun is about 7 inches from the basking spot and is inside the tank also that's the closest I can get it. I also managed to get his basking spot down to 105 by moving the light to the left of the basking spot. A bit closer to the cool side but the cool side stays less than 85 degrees, usually a bit lower than that but its getting to summer here in Maryland which is usually around 90 to 95 degrees outside and its around 80 now. also his humidity stays around 40% is that ok?

 

[diamc]

That's good that you have the UVB inside the tank and that you got the basking temp down to 105. Is your beardie spending any less time in his cave now?

Not too much you can do about the humidity and 40% isn't really awfully high. Does your AC seem to help with the humidity in your house?

 

[rex2311]

Oh yea he`s spending less time in the cave he`s now very energetic and eats alot.

 

[diamc]

Awesome to hear that, guess he likes the basking temp you have now.