Think my 5 month old beardie trying to go in to brumation!

[Steviex]

Hello, sorry I'm new with caring for beardies, I have had my beardie 9 days, at first he was very alert loved climbing on the sofa, ate well and was generally active! over the past 2 days my beardie has become lazy, he looks very tired, eating 6 hoppers a day and minimal veggies, he is hardly basking and spending time in his cave looking very sleepy! I am really concerned, we keep putting him back up to the basking light as he needs to digest his food! Just does not seem himself, temp is 105 in basking area and 85 in cool area thanks

 

[CooperDragon]

He is still pretty young for brumation. Are you getting an accurate reading of those temperatures? If so, they are just about right. What do you have in place for a UVB light? How far is it from the basking area?

 

[Steviex]

I am currently using a 2 in 1 exo terra uvb and basking bulb, I am unsure if it is giving off enough uvb ? Yes the temps are correct I use a probe thermometer and I know he's reaching his max temp as he gapes in his basking area. He is digging though and just wants to hide away he's worrying me

 

[CooperDragon]

The Solar Glo? Which wattage do you have? It may not be set at an appropriate height for the UVB output.

 

[Steviex]

Yes the solar glo one! He is in a glass viv with a mesh top.

I have bathed him this evening and he looks like he is about to shed! His colouring is grey/white in some areas and his stress marks are out! How far should the solar glo be from his basking spot thank you ?

 

[Steviex]

Wat is 125 sorry I missed that bit

 

[CooperDragon]

Ah OK. That's a nice looking setup. Is that the 12'' tall Exo Terra tank? With the Solar Glo 125w I'd mount it between about 10-14'' above the basking area. If you have the mesh top on the tank, that will intercept some of the UVB so I'd put it closer to 10'' up. If you're seeing signs of a shed, it's possible that is affecting his mood and appetite. That can affect them in odd ways sometimes. It might be worth waiting out the shed cycle and see how he acts once that's through.

 

[Steviex]

Hi again, yes it is ? I have moved the light down slightly, I am determined to get this right for the little one, yes it is definitely affecting his mood, he's a little grump but he's letting us cuddle him still which is good ?, and is still climbing on the sofa out of his cage, but not half as active as he usually is, poor soul looks so tired and is doing everything he can to hide away! I will monitor him and see how he goes, thanks for your response it's great to speak to others ? I have forgot how I upload pics on to here now?! Trying to put a pic of him now

 

[Steviex]

Figured it out ......meet my baby baine ?

 

[CooperDragon]

He looks pretty good in that photo! If he continues to act lethargic it might be worth trying a different bulb. The Solar Glo bulbs have been known to suffer from inconsistency between bulbs and high decay rates in some bulbs. It's hard to test that without using a solarmeter though.

 

[Steviex]

Thank you, do you think it's worth buying a separate uvb bulb? I definitely know it's giving of the correct heat as I am obsessed with testing the temps, I just want the best for him! He purked up a bit tonight and ate some veggies, no poop today though ?

 

[CooperDragon]

Maybe. You could relegate the MVB to a basking spot for outside the tank (that's how I use mine). I prefer using a T5 tube for UVB and a separate halogen flood light for basking heat because I can then adjust the UVB and temperature separately where the MVB needs to be set at a height according to UVB output and heat may or may not hit the mark. That's just my take on it though, not a set rule. I'd wait a little bit and see but if he doesn't perk up it might be worth picking up a T5 http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/ For MVBs I like the Megaray bulbs because they are consistent and reliable. Their beam is a bit narrow though. The PowerSun bulbs have a wider beam which I like but *may not be as consistent between bulbs due to manufacturing quality control. From what I've seen I'd consider both to be upgrades over the SolarGlo (and the National Geographic brand is a huge step down from that).

 

[Steviex]

Thank you for your help and advice, I will see how he goes over the next few days, I am in the U.K. So will google that light over here ?. When we first brought him home, I used a 100 watt basking light solar glo and a 2x uvb solar glo light, he seemed perfect, unfortunately the basking light fitting kept blowing the bulbs...so we went back and this 2 in 1 bulb was recommended so we changed since this he has not been his chirpy self! I think it may be worth going back to our original set up/lighting see if this helps if not I will definitely try the light you recommended! Also are hornworms good for beardies! He turns his nose up at crickets, so currently feeding hoppers (locusts). He loves asparagus and broccoli

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah hornworms are good in moderation along with hoppers. The hoppers are a common staple in the UK. If you can find silk worms and repti worms those are good options to throw into the mix as well. The more variety the better in terms of salads. The asparagus is ok sparingly but it's high in phosphorus vs calcium which isn't ideal. Try some rocket and some yellow and green summer squash cut up into pieces. My guy like chopped up green beans as well. I rotate around a lot of stuff depending on what's fresh at the store.

The UK version of the light I posted earlier is this https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/arcadia-complete-uv-light-kit-desert-reptiles/ That's a really good source for supplies in general. Please keep me updated on his progress and let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Steviex]

Again I would like to thank you ? Great help of course I will do. Have you any links for good veggies and I will look for a variety of live food