Wrong UVB

[anwyn]

I didn't realise I'd bought a wrong UVB strip - I have the ReptiGLO 10.0. BAD ME! So I have the correct ReptiSUN 10.0 on the way from Swell Reptiles. It's the 36" strip tube, mounted inside the viv with a reflector. Basically, the original Reptisun that was part of the vivarium kit came damaged so I went to a local shop and got the other tube and hadn't realised the difference.

Mort is clearly having some eye problems... not swollen or sunken but not quite right and she's closing her eyes all the time now. It was only once in a while and I thought it was just normal.

I know there's a list somewhere but can't find it so:
--4' vivarium
--Cool side currently about 76F, Cool side usually 80-85 when UVB is on.
--Basking spot 100-115F with 100W bulb and night heat bulb on thermostat so comes on if needed.
--Basking/UVB on for 12 hours per day.
--Slate and repticarpet floor (slate on warm side and pooping area, repticarpet on cool side)
--Eats about a 10-20 gut-loaded crickets every other day (offered every day but she seems to alternate), eats her greens, Exo Terra juv beardie pellets in salad for days she's not keen on crickets. Dust crickets 5-6 days a week with Medivet calcium dust. Salad dusted 3 days week with Exo Terra multi vitamin.
--Comes out of viv about twice a day for run around lounge and is very active running/climbing


I knew she was unwell because yesterday evening (not bedtime) she just wanted to sit with eyes closed under her blanket about 3 hours. I worried. So I took her out to sit on me under her blanket and she stayed there for about an hour and closed her eyes, which was unusual. When she usually will only sit about 2 minutes then go "oooh, hey! I'm out! YAY! Let me run around! Must dig tunnel to kitchen!" and dash off to plot her escape through the wall.



My urgent question is this:
Swell's shipping isn't very fast so I expect being shipped today I'll get it on Monday. (Friday possibly but I don't want to rely on it.) I have of course turned off the UVB for now. She still has a 100W basking light and a heat bulb so I'm not worried about her basking or the overall temp. I've read they're okay for a couple days without UVB but is waiting until Monday too long? If so I could find a next day delivery from somewhere online probably.

Is there anything else I should do?

Have good vet recommendation but since her eyes don't look damaged/swollen/sunken and it was just the constant closing them I thought I'd see how a couple days went.

 

[CooperDragon]

The eye problems (based on what I've seen) tend to come more from the compact fluorescent bulbs than the fluorescent tube style bulbs. The difference in brands tend to mean difference in output and build quality/consistency. She should be fine without UVB until Monday. How far from the basking site is the UVB light mounted? It's a good sign that she's eating and active. The eye closing may just be caused by being tired. I've seen that happen in cycles and doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. Is her beard black or is it a light color? If her beard is black, then a vet visit may be warranted, otherwise I'd wait until you have the new bulb installed and see how she reacts.

 

[anwyn]

No black beard!

The strip is all the way across the top at the back and her basking spot is about halfway to the front. So 12" from the basking spot. To be honest she prefers to bask towards the front a bit more, a bit further away, but is still in the UVB light since that is across the whole box.

I also wasn't sure if maybe the reflector was just giving her too much of the UVB light?

Not eaten well today. No bugs for breakfast, managed to get her to have 6 or 7 for dinner but she doesn't want to chase the last few days.

I guess once I know what different things happen in cycles I won't worry in future, but I'm still a newbie. :roll: I worry about my baby!

 

[CooperDragon]

The worry never goes away. That's just part of caring for them =). No black beard is a good sign, so I'd wait it out. At 12'' you'll want a reflector and probably a T5 bulb. Do you have a mesh screen or top between the bulb and the basking spot? That can take around 30% or so of the output right off the bat.

 

[anwyn]

Nope, no mesh screen or anything inbetween. It's mounted inside a wooden vivarium with glass front. I think I have a photo somewhere...

The replacement bulb is the 36"/30W one of these http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-lighting-415/reptile-uv-bulb-lamps-562/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-252880.html

So I think a T8? I can switch to a T5 later but I'll need a new controller too, if the T8 isn't the right choice.

edit... ok, as soon as I typed this one she did a few beard fluffs and went black. Not opening mouth. She's basking, pretending to be a pancake. She's just being contrary now. Does that mean anything in particular? She's done it a few times before, rarely, but only when basking.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah that's the T8. I'd give that a try and see how it goes. Those are nice bulbs. It's hard to tell for sure though without using a UV Meter to test the output. I'd try to mount it 6-8'' up if you can. From my (very limited) testing, a T8 bulb (Zilla Desert 50 and ReptiSun 10.0) I found decent readings up to about 8'' from the basking spot. With the T5 (Arcadia 12%) I found decent readings at 12''. I've found this video useful for describing the output of different bulbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUu24MNO2Ho

 

[CooperDragon]

As long as the beard doesn't stay black for too long, it usually just means she's irritated at something (or is trying to get a shed off). The pancake is good and typical for basking. She's just trying to pick up as much heat as she can.

 

[anwyn]

That's what I figured. Just funny that she did it right after you asked! lol.

And AWESOME video. That should be in the Lighting Help guide! Will save my pennies for a T5 set up, it makes sense.

 

[Taterbug]

I second the T5 light. Totally worth it. I get the same readings at about 2-3' with a T5 w/reflector that I was getting at 8-10" with a T8 in a shop fixture.

Some tube bulbs have the same problems as the compacts, with improper phosphor formulations or glass that doesn't filter out the UVC wave lengths. Frances's work is really great, it worth reading her website (uvguide.uk) and checking out the group on yahoo! She moderates (uvb meter owners group) for the detailed information and lamp test reports they have.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree! The T5 lights are excellent quality & when combined with great basking lights the overall light quality & spectrum is terrific.
Frances' analysis & tests are very good, too.
Your dragon will be fine once you get a better light up. You can use some sterile saline solution in the eyes, if needed.

Tracie

 

[anwyn]

Thanks all!
New T8 Reptisun bulb arrived today so will replace the reptiglo and see how she goes. I did turn the other one on this morning but without the reflector just for her wake up and feeding because she seems to have no interest in the bugs in the half dark. But gobbled about 15 cricks for her breakfast so a little less worry again.

 

[anwyn]

Just an update to say new light for a week and she's so much better! So I don't know if it was the wavelength, the brand, the reflector or her mood. So ReptiSun T8 36"/30W with reflector now. But clear and opened eyed all the time. In fact she's not even doing the one eye shut sometimes like she used to do since I got her. No whole days of lethargy and not eating.

Will still save up for the T5 setup too.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's great news!