Embee
Gray-bearded Member
MissPaula":99802 said:Okay, so I just read all of these posts about the powersun problems and switched it off right away! I only put it in a few days ago but I think that it made everything worse I'm going to return the bulb and get a different mvb. I know the megarays are on back order but I'm going to scout around and see what I can find. For now, I put up his old reptisun 10 because it still has a little over a month of juice in it left.....oi.....still, any suggestions on all the other stuff would be helpful. Thanks!
I'm sorry your dragon isn't feeling well.
I haven't heard of any problems with the PowerSun? Is this a recent development? Perhaps I'm not up to date. To my knowledge, the PowerSun is a good bulb. Not as strong in terms of heat and UVB emissions as say, the MegaRay and TRex, but a safe bulb. ?? The only problems I know of with the PowerSun have been when beardie has been able to get too close (closer than 10-12 inches, as 12 is the minimum distance). There have been a couple of cases in recent months where beardie was set up within 8 inches of the bulb and this did cause health problems for the dragons (thankfully, both recovered).
That said, if you're looking to switch to another MVB, the MegaRay is the best, yes. However, they were also on back order when we upgraded our tank a few months ago, so we went with the close second to the MegaRay, the T-Rex, good price here: http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-heat-bulbs/503619/t-rex-active-uv-heat-flood-spot-lamps.html Our dragon, who was previously struggling, has thrived very well under her TRex. As with all 100w MVBs, it requires a minimum distance of 12 inches, and that you use calcium withOUT D3. Replace bulb every 10-12 months.
You are bathing everyday then? How long is he soaking for? Are you using a digital with probe to gauge temps? Also, when gauging the temps, are you leaving the probe on the basking spot for a full 45 minutes? The reason I ask is that symptoms you describe suggest that your dragon is dehydrated. What kind of substrate are you using? Is there any reason to believe that your dragon is impacted? Usually, this would cause more of a bloated look than thin, but thought I'd ask just in case.
The only other thing I can suggest is to decrease the number of hours your lighting is on. Many use a 12 day/12 night lighting schedule for juvenile dragons, as growing dragons tend to need more sleep than adults. On up to 14 hours a day as dragon gets older, but I believe 14 is about as long as you'd want it on, tops.
The best, and I hope your dragon is feeling better soon.
Em
Edited, to change question about bathing.