The rite lighting and Parasites

[Rasta]

Hello, to everyone who reads this. I am new to the site and i have been a bearded dragon owner for almost 11 months now, you all maybe disappointed in me, cause i got my beardie aka Rico, at Petco earlier this year around February 9th of 2019. When i first got him he was around 5 inches (Very tiny) He's around 13inches now, and Things have been fine since i had him, but for a while now i have just been wondering. what are the most common signs of a bearded dragon having parasites? I'm just curious and i love my beardy (Rico) allot, and i recently just got him a 40 gallon tank not long ago. Also i have another question, What is the rite UVB Light for daytime and what is the right lighting for at night? Just to be clear. During the day his tank is around 100-105 degrees and at night it's around 70 degrees. The light i use during the day can be found here: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/exo-terra-halogen-basking-spot-lamp

and the light i use for him at night can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071GKDXBL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those night lamps are pitch black and has no coloring to them, witch to me seems good! Thank you to anyone who can help me out here! I hope to learn something and to possibly help others as i am around the site.

 

[CooperDragon]

Moved by moderator from Website Comments to Enclosures

 

[CooperDragon]

Parasites can show different symptoms. Sometimes they act sick and lethargic, it can affect appetite, it can make poop runny or excessively stinky. It's best to have a vet check a fecal sample to test for them during an annual exam.

For lighting, your basking light and night light are fine. What are the temperatures in your enclosure and how are you measuring them? That's the important part with basking lights. Accurate surface temperature measurements are very important. I suggest using digital thermometers with probes for best results. One probe for the basking surface and one for the cool side surface. Overnight the temps should stay above 65 (roughly) but high 60s and low 70s is about right. If you get those temps without your ceramic heat emitter, you don't need it.

What do you have in place for UVB lighting? It's important to provide enough UVB along with a proper heat gradient across the tank. This is an excellent option for most 40g setups. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

 

[Rasta]

The UVB i use for him is Exo-Terra Halogen Basking Spot Lamp, 100 Watts. Hopefully that's good, and for measuring the temperatures i use Zilla Humidity And Temperature Gauge, and i also wanna note that i make sure the UVB lights are 16 inches above the tank so that he doesn't get burned cause i heard lizards like bearded dragons can get burn and give no reactions when it's happening, but at the same time it's a bad thing. And i also forgot to say, His poop isn't smelly, and he doesn't do diarrhea and about the temperatures at night, There's always around 70 degreese. I know everything i am asking i probably got rite for most the part, i am just curious cause i know this site is filled with some legit pet experts and could maybe give me some tips.

 

[KarrieRee]

The halogen light your using is not a UVB -- if you do not have a UVB I suggest you get one ASAP-- this is what is recommended on the forum-- a Reptisun 10.0 TUBE either the T 8 or a T 5 - do not get a fixture the same length of the tank and you want a fixture/ hood w/ a reflector in it --- you can get one from your Pet store or purchase on line but I suggest you get this ASAP--- if you have not had a UVB for your dragon for the last year its a good chance he is developing MBD as he has had no source for the UVB rays that ward this off and he has not been able to absorb the calcium you have been feeding him --you can get one on line from here too www.pangeareptiles.com -- these people are fast -- I would recommend a 24" fixture w/ either the Arcadia 12% bulb or a Reptisun 10.0 either the T 5 or a T 8 your choice
Karrie

 

[Rasta]

Hello, KarrieRee. Thank you for your reply, i appreciate it. Mind if i ask if you could send me a link for UVB light bulbs? Cause my 40 gallon tank i have a reptile rooftop, the one with all the little holes if you get what i mean, it's like a cadge. i got some links, do you think these are good for UVB?


https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/exo-terra-reptile-uvb


https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/exo-terra-reptile-uvb100-bulb


Thank you if anything!

 

[KarrieRee]

NO COILS!!!!! Go here and look at this lighting http://www.pangeareptiles.com---https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/images/detailed/4/zoo-med-uvb-10-T5.jpg
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/images/detailed/8/xt5-ho.jpg.pagespeed.ic.t_5kd2hzxt.webp- get the 24" -- post a pic of your tank - top of tank the screen
Karrie

 

[Rasta]

I am afraid, i can't afford any of that until the 3rd of January.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok we'll get it as soon as you can
Karrie

 

[Rasta]

Will do! Thank you for the links. I wanted to ask is the Rep-cal Calcium good for a bearded dragon? it comes with vitamin D3, if you are wondering what that is, here's a link of the same exact one i got: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/rep-cal-phosphorus-free-calcium-with-vitamin-d3-ultrafine-powder

 

[Rasta]

Also, mind if i ask where can i find a hood that can fit on a 40 gallon tank? i can't find one anywhere and i am gonna have to need one so i can put those slim bulbs on the hood.

 

[KarrieRee]

Good on the calcium D3 and you can go here and look at the hood fixtures
http://www.pangeareptiles.com -- they have a hood there for $32 and they are good and fast -- do not a hood as same length as tank- if your tank is 40 gallon I would get a 24" fixture --- and when you get it if it has a cover on the bulb take it off -it will come w/ a 5.0 bulb from this place you can use it but its not as strong as the 10.0 its more for aquarium use and it most definitely need to inside the tank approx 6-8 inches from basking spot---
Karrie

 

[Rasta]

Hello KarrieRee, Mind if i ask , for the hood get this for a 40 gallon? https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html

My 40 gallon tank is 36.7 inches long 18 inches wide, and 16 inches tall, is that hood a good size for a 24" (Holds 22" T5 Bulb) ?

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes a 24" hood is good -- if you decide to upgrade to a bigger tank that 24" will go right in ---- no 14" hood it is too small - so get the 24" as soon as you can --- parasites are caused by incorrect lighting as it keeps them at bay the dragon can keep them under control w/ correct UVB and basking temps --- signs are poop smell that will drive your from the room and runny --- it has no form to it --- healthy poop is firm moist and dark -- urate will be firm moist and white --- hope this helps --
Karrie

 

[Rasta]

Ok, i have another question, what can i use for a good night light with that hood? are there any slim night bulbs out there? or should i just swap hoods every night before bed so i can let the bulbs heat him up ?