Not enough UVB??

[BigDaddyK]

I recently built my BD a new enclosure which is about 4x2x2 and made of white melamine. I'm using a 150w ceramic heat emitter and a 24in repti-glo (I know the repi-sun is better but I can't find one anywhere, I'll switch if I can.)

My BD is almost 5 months old and 15.5 inches. He has been in the new enclosure about a week and looks like he is losing some weight and he isn't very active. The last couple days he hasn't eaten much.

Is this a UVB problem? should I add a basking bulb? Is it just the stress from moving into a new home? Thanks for any advice!

 

[Gail]

It could be stress from moving or the UVB. You should always use a bright white bulb for basking, dragons are daytime reptiles and they like it bright. It will also help protect his eyes from the UVB.
reptisun are hard to find in pet stores, try ordering one online http://www.petmountain.com/product/fluorescent-bulbs/11442-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html

 

[BigDaddyK]

It could be stress from moving or the UVB. You should always use a bright white bulb for basking, dragons are daytime reptiles and they like it bright. It will also help protect his eyes from the UVB.
reptisun are hard to find in pet stores, try ordering one online http://www.petmountain.com/product/fluorescent-bulbs/11442-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html

Should I get rid of the heat emitter all together and replace it with a basking bulb or just add a bulb to the current set-up?

 

[Gail]

I would ditch the heat emitter and just use a regular heat bulb. Curious, what are your temps with the 150 watt? I have a melamine viv the same size and I get plenty of heat with a regular 100 watt household bulb.

 

[BigDaddyK]

Yeah, I think you're right about ditching the heat emitter. The melamine seems to hold the heat much better than the glass, I get 110 on the hot side 18in under the heat source and 85 on the other side.