Temp change now not acting right

[Ranchero]

Im about to pull my hair out! I had his enclosure perfect and he had a basking spot and he would even sit on his hammock right under the uvb daily which I liked. His basking temp is just not working its fluctuating too much from 97-98 so I added a 70w house bulb and the temp stayed at 108 the entire day. Just when I thought things were perfect he acted lethargic all day yesterday and hid under his basking spot in his sand box where he is not getting any uvb rays. So I moved his sand box out from under the log and now he is in that same spot under the log. His cool side is in the low 90s so I know hehas a place to go but if he keeps "basking" under this log sheilding himself from the uvb do i need to take it out? His feeding has decreased dramatically to maybe ten cricks yesterday when he usually eats more then 20. He started sheding his face the day before yesterday and i even bathed him but no more shedding. Im so frustrated I dont know what to do!

 

[sweetiepie9]

How old is your baby and what type of UVB light are you using. If he's a baby 108F is ok but if he's in a small tank, may be a bit too hot. 90F on the cool side is too high. What size tank is he in and what are you using for a basking light? If you could answer these questions we can figure out what the problem is.

 

[Ranchero]

20 gallon long with a 100w basking bulb and 70w house bulb the uvb is the reptisun tube type. He has exploded in growth and been doing fine until this change. He will be 4 months in a week

 

[sweetiepie9]

The temps are probably a bit high for a 20 gallon, so maybe a 60W until you can get a bigger tank. The UVB is fine, it's a good tube. So see if you can reduce that basking temp to 102=105, as they sometimes don't need such high temps at 4 mo old, especially in such a small tank, where it's more difficult to get the temps right. If you have the $ please get him a 40 gallon breeder or critter tank, it's got lots of room and more able to keep the temps right. He's growing so fast, he's going to need the room. That's what I have 4 of my grown dragons in, 40 gallon breeders and my largest beardie Rubio is in a 75 gallon tank.
Take care
Deb

 

[Ranchero]

We are planning on building him a nice big one in a couple months. I think your right about the 60w let me go pick one of those up and I will let you know how it works out.

 

[sweetiepie9]

ok

 

[Ranchero]

The 60w is making the basking at a steady 103 and he stays in the 'good' spot near the uvb to bask. I am currently checking on the cooler side to see where it stays at.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Now isn't that good news. Sometimes just something a big different makes the world of difference!

 

[Ranchero]

I feel so much better :lol: Thank you again for your help

 

[sweetiepie9]

Keep in touch & pics would be great!