Puffers new setup

[puffersfamily]

OK we have a new home/tank for Puffer (55gallon)... not sure if he likes it much yet because his beard is all black.. but do you think that its agood setup? there is sand on one end and tile on the other. His basking temp is good...

 

[puffersfamily]

also want to mention we have no top on his tank, no other pets in the home so thought this was ok?

 

[andymkthxlol]

I used to not have a top on my tank, but I immediately changed that when he jumped the whole 12" from his bottom to top floor (He is 15" long head to tail). Also, I would be worried of the chance of that light falling into his cage while still on.

 

[wizbee]

Two suggestions: The dial thermometer isn't very accurate, a digital with probe or temp gun is better and the red light isn't needed. They need darkness at night.

 

[puffersfamily]

k all suggestions appreciated...
apart from those suggested already, is the setup with the tile on one side and the sand on the other good. He doesnt seem to like the tile side (spends his time on the sand side)and he does not seem very happy in his new home, his beard is black after being in there awhile and he is happiest when hes out of the tank and hanging out with the family... is that normal behaviour? The tank has also been moved from a quiet bedroom to the livingroom which is next to the kitchen.. so im thinking he sees us more and wants to be with us rather than in his tank?

 

[Karnagia]

Give him time to adjust to the new home, he'll get used to it eventually.

I wanted to ask you - where did you get that tank? What are the measurements? I'm currently looking for a 55gal but can't find any wide enough.

 

[beardie parents]

k all suggestions appreciated...
apart from those suggested already, is the setup with the tile on one side and the sand on the other good. He doesnt seem to like the tile side (spends his time on the sand side)and he does not seem very happy in his new home, his beard is black after being in there awhile and he is happiest when hes out of the tank and hanging out with the family... is that normal behaviour? The tank has also been moved from a quiet bedroom to the livingroom which is next to the kitchen.. so im thinking he sees us more and wants to be with us rather than in his tank?

That's normal, especially when they have bonded with you. Redrock preferred shoulder time 24/7 which is not always healthy for them as they need uvb. Speedy is developing the same preferrence.

 

[puffersfamily]

im in Ontario Canada and got the tank at petcrazy (was $120can)... the measurements are 48in long, 12deep, 19high.
Just finished taking temps again.. basking 100 and cool side 75... ive plugged in the "red" light to warm up the cool side a bit.
Ive got his old tank with a screen on top, 20Long... thinking of using it as his feeding tank... but not sure where to keep it, and im thinking of lining it with newspaper.. it might be good in summer as a spot to keep him on the deck when we cant keep an eye on him?
He is so happy right now because he is perched at the top of the couch, seems to be his favourite spot.

 

[diamc]

Hi, I have to admit that he does look happier outside of the tank, but some of his behavior may very well be from relocation stress, which can last about 2 wks.

Are you only using the round gauge thermometers to check the temps? If so, those can be off by as much as 20 degrees. The only 2 ways to get an accurate reading are with either a temperature gun or a digital thermometer with a long wire & probe end. Here's a picture of a probe thermometer that you can get at Walmart for about $12.00 and it works very well, it's the AcuRite brand:

The temps may be off which is causing him discomfort. The cool side does look dark and rather than using the colored bulb on that side, I suggest you use a standard household lightbulb instead, the wattage that you need will depend on the temps there. The cool side temp should actually be closer to 80 degrees. It would also be a good idea to make sure he is well hydrated in case he has been over heating.

What is the brand of UVB you're using? If a Repti-Sun 10.0, it should actually be 6 to 8" from him. But if a Repti-Glo 10.0, it should be 10" from him. The basking and UVB should be placed right alongside each other so that he can get both benefits at the same time while in his basking area so I suggest you move the UVB over so he can get some rays from it.

Tiles heat up very nicely so if they were actually on the basking side, he would probably enjoy them more. Since they are on the cool side, they are probably too cool for him to want to lay there.

 

[puffersfamily]

off to buy a mvb right now actually... and a background.. maybe some more greenery... oh and a new thermometer buying new tank stuff is fun but getting to be like my third child here the way i spend time and money on him

 

[puffersfamily]

ok i got the exact thermometer... its got an outdoor and indoor setting, you set it at outdoor right? the outdoor reading after 20mins right on basking spot under the new MVB is at 97F ... Hes gaping alot? does this mean its too hot? I put my hand under the bulb and it burns after a minute... its 100W MVB REP PRO (only kind i could get in town) He's also not laying on basking spot as usual, hes got his head propped right up under the light... The light is 15 inches away from his basking spot.. his head is about 12inches away the way he is sitting. I am concerned about his gaping...

 

[puffersfamily]

oh the humidity reads 29%

 

[diamc]

Hi, I'm afraid I don't know anything about the 100W MVB REP PRO. That's good that the distance is 15" right now and not any closer. You might have to adjust the distance depending on the temps.

In case you haven't monitored the temps this way, I will give you the instructions for it. Place the probe end so that it is resting (touching) the basking area ex: log, rock, place the thermometer part inside the tank and way over on the bottom of the cool side, wait about 45 min for the temp to stop rising, then the "out" reading will be for the basking area and the "in" reading on the cool side. Let me know what the final readings are when doing it this way.

How is your beardie acting now, still gaping a lot? Is he laying in the basking spot more than he was?

 

[puffersfamily]

the basking spot ended up being 102.3F after an hour... Cool side 74F
I moved his basking spot over a little, just to the side of the light. He had moved over to the far corner of his tank where it was the coldest and laid flat on the tile... He usually prefers the basking spot.. After I moved the spot he was back on it and not gaping anymore.

 

[puffersfamily]

one thing he's been doing different from before is when he basks he's now propped up with his head held up high... Before he would just laydown on his rock, it's like he's trying to get his head closer?