Puddle- new tank new behavior

[katiebugus]

Good afternoon!
We have owned our beadie (Puddle) for a year and a half. He has been in a 40 gallon tank, but we couldn't create a cool enough side. We got a very big new habitat 72" long. His basking spot is 93 degrees, though he does not stay on his basking spot for more than three or so hours. His apatite is way down. When I get home from work in the afternoon, he is usually on his warm end, but not in the tank and darker in color. When I take him out later in the day, he just wants to curl up on the couch under a pillow.
He is active in the morning when we have him running around.
Is his tank too big?
We did a lot of research before we got Puddle, but this is a totally new experience for me!
I appreciate any help!

 

[CooperDragon]

A 72'' long tank is a nice size. How tall is it? You will likely need to adjust or upgrade the lighting to make it effective in the larger space. I would try to boost the basking area temps up to around 100-105 and have areas around that in the 90s and a gradient down to 75-80 or so on the cool side. What do you have in place for UVB? In the larger enclosures, I usually suggest a T5 UVB tube. A 22'' or 36'' fixture mounted over the basking area should do the trick in a 72'' long tank.

 

[katiebugus]

Thank you so much! I'll give it a try! It is 2 feet tall. The basking spot is around 95

 

[CooperDragon]

OK. Yeah with that height I'd use a T5. It should be mounted about 12'' above the highest basking area for optimal output but build a gradient so there are shade areas and parts further away from the bulb so he can self regulate as he wishes. I use one of these and it's great http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

 

[katiebugus]

thank you!
Any suggestions on mounting it inside the tank?

 

[CooperDragon]

If you want it to go inside the tank, I'd try to suspend it from above. The fixture has hooks on the top designed to clip around a wire that you could put through the top. Keep in mind you'll want to maintain the 12'' distance from the tallest basking spot and the fixture will take up a few inches inside the tank.