When am I allowed to panic?

[sbattisti]

OK, so it's been a few days since I removed the MegaRay. Not sure when my replacement will arrive, but Khalil's been several days without UV. How long can I go before I need to find some replacement? I have a flourescent bulb, but it's not a reptisun. But I don't want to go out and buy a new lamp/bulb if it's just going to be for a few days!

Steve

 

[spurlee01]

You're fine for at least 2 weeks. After that it's iffy. Just bump down his calcium some (I don't know exactly how much you should give without UVB, hopefully someone else chims in). If the bulb was defective, it is definitely best for him to spend at least a week without UVB.

 

[sbattisti]

Oh, and I wanted to point out, although Khalil still definitely does not have a creamy white belly, he's starting to come around. Today Mike and I took him out for a little exploration around Mike's room, and he ate several Phoenix worms from my leg - the first things he's ever eaten in our presence!

 

[DeweysMom]

That's awesome news Steve! I'm glad little Khalil is turning the corner. Did you let him run loose? What did you do beardie proof the room? I want so badly to let Dewey run, but I'm terrified that he'll get into something or get stuck somewhere. For now his roaming is limited to my computer desk or my bed.

 

[spurlee01]

Steve, it is amazing the difference a bad bulb can make (not calling the Megaray bad, just your particular bulb). I'm so glad he's coming around for you!
Mandy, I will say that Lilly has gotten into much more trouble lately than she did when she was little (although I never had her as a teensy tiny baby). The bathroom is also a good place to let them explore because the amount of trouble they can find is limited. Just put a towel under the door because baby beardies can slide into very small places.

 

[sbattisti]

That's awesome news Steve! I'm glad little Khalil is turning the corner. Did you let him run loose? What did you do beardie proof the room? I want so badly to let Dewey run, but I'm terrified that he'll get into something or get stuck somewhere. For now his roaming is limited to my computer desk or my bed.

We just let him loose in my son's room, with me and Mike playing defense. He's still pretty cautious, so he doesn't move around a ton. He got under the desk at one point, but there isn't really anywhere in Mike's room that easy for a beardie to hide that wouldn't be easy to extract him from.

I let him run around the bathroom after his baths, too, but I'm nervous about him getting too cold after being wet.

 

[Freeie]

Oh, and I wanted to point out, although Khalil still definitely does not have a creamy white belly, he's starting to come around. Today Mike and I took him out for a little exploration around Mike's room, and he ate several Phoenix worms from my leg - the first things he's ever eaten in our presence!

Its weird but you may have to feed him like that now. Sounds like hes training you well I have a few i cant just toss the bugs into the dish and walk away. Our big softy kinno we have to toss his supers/fly swatted crickets to him one by one he refuses to chase his food. He gets his exercise from his roam time. The new girl i have to feed her out of her viv and one by one too.

 

[spurlee01]

Lol, they sure get used to their feeding routines. I always put exactly 5 worms in Lil's salad. This morning I got a HUGE blackbeard because she could only find two (the big goof was sitting on the other 3 :roll: ).

 

[sbattisti]

OK, so, I removed the Mega-Ray on Jan 20th. I've also covered up the glass with black construction paper as of last night, to see if that helps him calm down a bit and feel more secure. Honestly, overall he seems to be doing well. He's eating now, and doesn't outright resist being handled. I've snuggled him to bed on a few occasions. I just wish he had a nice, creamy white belly!

I talked to John at ReptileUV last night, and he said he should be shipping me a replacement by the end of this week. However, Khalil has already gone a week without any UVB. If John ships this week, and I get the bulb middle of next week, and burn it in for 2 days, that would be about 17 days without any UVB at all.

Do I need to consider a temporary solution to get him some additional UV?

I have a flourescent lamp and bulb that I got for free from someone when I had originally bought a tank. I think it's a Perfecto unit like this one. Would that do the trick? Obviously, if I can avoid it, I'd rather not buy a whole extra lamp and ReptiSun for a week's worth of UV!

Suggestions?

Steve

 

[spurlee01]

I know that 2 weeks is fine, I can't imagine that the extra 3 days would cause a problem.

 

[Freeie]

I have to agree i think he will be fine.

 

[spurlee01]

I went back and reread, and I would not put some random like fishtank type flourscent bulb. My understanding is they don't have UVB and are much more likely to damage eyes than do any good.

 

[Freeie]

I have to agree i think he will be fine.

I was meaning him going without uvb for a few more days.

 

[spurlee01]

Oh yeah, Christy I know. I meant in his original post he mentioned he has a flourescent bulb, but I don't think that should be put in. I'm not all together right now, I'm sick and tired!