What am I doing wrong? *pix*

[Sashee]

Ok so Yoshi always hangs out in the same spot and always has stress marks. His uvb bulb is a repitsun 10.0 that is 3 months old. The cool side of his tank is at 85 and the hot side is at 102. He always sits on the edge of his log and is partially covered by his big log and I'm afraid he's not getting enough uvb. And the only time he doesn't have stress marks is when he's in his feed box or when I let him out to explore my room. Here's some pix.


IMG_20110325_142533 by Tricky_Bone, on Flickr

IMG_20110325_142558 by Tricky_Bone, on Flickr

IMG_20110325_142546 by Tricky_Bone, on Flickr

Edit: He also has a ceramic heat emitter and seems like he sheds all the time but the vet said that's cuz he's growing.

 

[Lara]

if i were you id remove the overhead log, keep the half log and get some wallpaper on the back and the sides of the tank as he probably feels exposed. Didnt you say yoshi is a female (discovered during surgery of prolapse?)

 

[Gail]

Wrong Yoshi Lara.
I'd totally redo the cage. I'd get rid of all hides/caves and get him some more stuff he can climb on. I use bricks or paving stones for a basking spot and driftwood for a UVB perch. Speaking of UVB, were is Yoshis? If you are using a screw in UVB in one of those domes then that could also be a problem.
Coil/compact UVB can cause eye damage and other health issues, the only UVB recommended at this time is a reptiSUN 10.0 long florescent tube. He will also need to get at least 8" away from the UVB tube, thats why I like driftwood for climbing.
I'd also make his basking spot more to one side instead right in the middle and make sure the UVB is close to the heat. Do you have a thermometer besides the little round one stuck on the glass?
I agree on covering three sides of the tank, It will help him feel more secure and less stressed. Shedding often is a good thing, means he is growing good.

 

[Sashee]

The uvb is the one on the right and it's a reptisun 10.0... I guess compact. I'm planning on making him a completely new false rock/climbing area once I get another job and have money to do so. But you said I should change the light first? Will he be ok til I have the money to buy the new one? He's never shown any signs that it bothers his eyes, like I've read about some doing. And yeah, that's the only thermometer I have that works. I keep meaning to get two more-one for each end.

 

[Gail]

Try and get the tube UVB as soon as you can, its really important to have the correct UVB for proper health. Those round stick on thermometers are garbage, they can be 20 degrees off in either direction, you can get a digital probe for around $10 at walmart.

 

[Sashee]

Ok. Any idea where I can get the fixture the bulb goes in? Like cheap? He has a heat source so I just need a way for the tube uvb to be in his tank. And how do I attach it to the glass so it's on the inside? Sorry for so many questions.

 

[JenFid]

I've read that you can get a cheapish fixture for the tubes at walmart also for around 12-15$? Most people who do that recommend hanging them up with command hooks (hooks with a sticky back) or stick on velcro.

 

[Sashee]

Ok, thanx so much. I'm currently unemployed so cash is a bit tight atm.

 

[diamc]

Hi, you've been given some great advise. I wanted to mention that the problem with the stick-on thermometers is that they measure the temp of the glass when what you need to know is the basking SURFACE temp. The stick-ons can actually be 20 degrees off and I'm wondering if he might be over heating and that's why he is shielding himself. What size is the tank and what is the wattage of the basking bulb you're using. The AcuRite digital probe thermometer that Walmart sells will actually give you both the basking & cool side temps at the same time and also a humidity readout. The price of $12.00 is a good price for it. Here's the link of the same thing that Amazon sells so you can see what it looks like: http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1301176469&sr=8-5 It actually has a long wire with the probe on the end and it should be in Walmart where the outdoor plastic thermometers are sold. What you do is place the probe right on the basking log so that it is touching it and put the thermometer part 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 the basking temp and the "in" reading for the cool side. Do you have a Walmart near you?

Since there is the chance that he may be a little too hot, it would be a good idea to give him a warm bath every other day or so to make sure he is well hydrated. Have you been bathing him?
Also, how often are you dusting his feeders with calcium & vitamins? How is his appetite? Is he pooping every day? Sorry for all the questions but we really want to help you make him happy & healthy.

 

[ocrage]

lol did you even look at your tank? your uvb bulb isnt even putting any light into it, even if it is a coil one. if anything, cut a hole in the screen so your bulb can fit in. also take away that big log like it was said above. the guy does not look happy.

 

[spikerocks]

Just wanted to say hi!

Although it can be overwhelming getting alll the new advice, you are in the rite place to hep Yoshi find his happy place. It's obvious you care a great deal about your little cutie. I went thru the same thing a year ago when we bought our first beardie, so I know where you're at. The repti-sun 10.0 tube bulbs runn around $25 or so online. I get mine from Amazon be/c I get free shipping. Alot of folks on here got to petmountain.com to get their's.

When we first got our beardie, he was so spoiled that he would have stressmarks whenever we put him back into his viv. He just wanted to be out and about all the time. Now that I have 5 beardies, I never can always figure out the reason for the stress marks. Usually they just want my love!!!

Good luck with Yoshi and hang in there! He'll be all creamy belly in no time!!! :lol:

 

[Sashee]

Thanx. And yes, I looked at the tank. Hence the reason I knew something was wrong.

I dust his crickets with calcium every day and didn't realize I needed multi vitamin til I started reading on here. I'm not sure about exact dimensions on the tank but I know it is a 40 gallon with a 150 watt heat emitter. I try to bathe him every other day, he eats great (loves his crix) and poops one or two times each day. He had a vet visit about a month and a half ago and he said he looked great and he was very happy with his coloring of the inside of his mouth, clear eyes, alertness, etc.

I've also been wrapping him burrito style each night around bedtime so he can get used to me handling him more.

Should I get a stand for the heat element so it's not right on his tank, maybe?

 

[JenFid]

lol did you even look at your tank? your uvb bulb isnt even putting any light into it, even if it is a coil one. if anything, cut a hole in the screen so your bulb can fit in. also take away that big log like it was said above. the guy does not look happy.

Is it possible for you to post without being extremely condescending?

Sashee, once you get a digital temp gauge with a probe you'll probably have a better idea of the actual temps. If he is eating/pooping/shedding normally though, which it sounds like he is, I wouldn't be too worried. I would also agree to have the hot side on one side instead of right in the middle. With my setup, the UVB runs the entire length of the tank with the basking area on the left. When he was in a smaller tank though, I had the UVB and the basking light on the same side.

 

[Sashee]

Ok, well I have moved all the decor to the left side under the heat lamp and am researching the cheapest place to get a reptisun tube. My original thought when I first got him was that the biggest log should be under the uvb light so he can get 8" underneath. I'm gonna put something on three sides so he feels more secure, as well.

I don't want him to be stressed and I feel bad that I may have improperly cared for him and that's causing it. I think he's still getting used to me too, cuz the first two months I had him, he lived at a friend's cuz I couldn't have him at my house and so he only saw me when I went to feed him or babysit my friend's kids. :|

 

[kngofnwyk]

lol did you even look at your tank? your uvb bulb isnt even putting any light into it, even if it is a coil one. if anything, cut a hole in the screen so your bulb can fit in. also take away that big log like it was said above. the guy does not look happy.

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