wrong bulb?

[Sammy28]

Hi I bought a 100w MVB (long story, I thought it broke and tried turning it on every now and then and 5 days later it finally worked) but now my bearded dragon doesn't bask. I've heard this may mean he doesn't like the bulb and to take it out, but I wanted to make sure he's just not hiding. Nothing else seems to be wrong about his behavior...

Thanks and I tried to find a different thread addressing this but maybe I'm just forum-challenged

Sam

 

[diamc]

What brand MVB did you get? What size is the tank and how many inches is it from the basking area? What are the temps and what type of thermometer are you using to check them?

 

[Sammy28]

It's a T-REX, 12in away from basking spot, and it was around 105F degrees with a digital probe thermometer.

 

[Sammy28]

i'd also like to add that he doesn't avoid the light completely, just much more than he used to with his old light. (I.E. yesterday he didn't bask at all, but today he is)

Sam

 

[diamc]

That's good that he's basking today. Bare in mind that the bulbs DO get hotter after a few days of using them so be sure to keep checking the temps. What size tank is it? What is the temp on the cool side? How old is Sammy?

 

[Sammy28]

he's in a 55g, with warm side temps in the 90's and cold side in the 80's. and he's 2 years old.

I think everything is fine, but some days he just won't bask. I'll take him out to play (making sure he's not lethargic) and place him on his basking spot when i put him back, and he'll just move. He goes to the same spot everytime.

thanks diamc,
Sam

 

[Embee]

he's in a 55g, with warm side temps in the 90's and cold side in the 80's. and he's 2 years old.

I think everything is fine, but some days he just won't bask. I'll take him out to play (making sure he's not lethargic) and place him on his basking spot when i put him back, and he'll just move. He goes to the same spot everytime.

thanks diamc,
Sam

Hi Sam,

Just wanted to check, when you say "warm side" is 90 degrees, do you mean the temps directly under the basking/MVB light or just that "side" of the tank? Are you using a digital with probe, laying the probe directly onto the basking surface under the MVB where beardie basks (remember, leave probe for 45 minutes for accurate temp)? I only ask because if you are gauging just that side of the tank, and the temps are in the 90's, then the temps under the MVB are likely much higher, possibly TOO high.

We use a MVB (a 100w T-Rex) in our 40 breeder and on the first day we had perfect JUVENILE basking temps at 12 inches (105-110), but we had to continue to raise the MVB over the first 3-4 days as it was running hotter and hotter. It now stands at 14-15 inches to get those same temps. As your beardie is older, you're looking for temps more in the area of 90-100, yes? The T-Rex being an excellent bulb, the only other reason I can think that he'd be avoiding the basking area is if it's perhaps too hot...

Just thought I'd put that out there, just in case.

The best,
Em

 

[diamc]

Yes, please clarify exactly how you're taking the temps by answering the questions that Em posted. I also have a 100 watt T-Rex in a 55 gallon with the bulb at a distance of about 14" and get a basking temp of 105. Those bulbs throw out LOTS of heat so you need to make sure that you are monitoring them correctly. At a distance of 12" away, your basking area should be close to 120 if not more. It does sound like he is avoiding the basking spot because it is too hot. The probe end has to be resting on (actually touching) the basking spot in order to get the right readings. I would say a basking temp of 95 to 100 or 102 would be perfect for a 2 yr old.

 

[Sammy28]

yes i do place it directly on the basking surface, and to find the area temp I hang it in the air. and yes i wait 45 minutes to check the temperature. I'm just going to raise it up a few inches since nothing else seems to be out of order.