KarrieRee":2mdh4rf3 said:
Make sure that UVB is in a fixture w/ reflector it will work the best
Karrie
Hi Kerrie; so im looking at now purchasing the uvb items needed and the basking light right now.
I did measurements from the basking decor (which is a platform fixed to the back wall of the enclosure built in)
currently; the coil UVB (the 26 watt one getyourpetright one) is about 6-8 inches from that basking decoration. The ceramic heat light is also approximately that distance from the decoration. The heat on the basking decoration is actually very hot; uncomfortably hot even but shes been climbing up there and enjoying it anyway, even in the last day or so. When i did these measurements though and checked the temps on the basking spot; technically the distance from the UVB and the temperature on that basking spot are matching what the recommendations are... but my method of doing it is just a bit unconventional as I dont actually have a basking bulb.. just the
UVB bulb and the ceramic... Taro just migrates to the hide in the night time and then goes to the basking spot in the day.
I was actually previously quite afraid that she was too close to the lights, to be honest, i was a little peeved at the guy i commissioned because i wondered if he had any common sense when he built it :silent:
My theoretical plan still to maybe improve the setup is to:
affix the 12% arcadia tube fixture on the front corner of the tank above the sliding glass opening (which would be about 12" away from the basking decor inside the tank. I'm not sure if there is room for the reflector so I was considering using reflective tape; hoping this will work as an alternative)
Then i will purchase a basking bulb to replace the coil; and then move the ceramic over and just turn it off in the daytime.
My question about this was though:
if my basking heat bulb is 6-8 inches from the basking decor, would that be too close? would it run the risk of burning her..? Even just the ceramic right there makes that spot quite hot
The other question i had as well is that I do not keep my house very warm in the winter, hence why i commissioned a custom wood based vivarium with ceramic so that the tank keeps a constant temperature range. If i switch to just the basking heat bulb, would this make the rest of the tank too cool in the winter if she is not choosing to bask?
In regards to Taro's current condition; she seems to have improved. her appetite is still pretty bad though, and she still gapes her mouth open at times as if shes puffing out little breaths of air, but its certainly has improved and she appears a lot more comfortable. her mouth is still a bit slimy and wet. She continues the medicine for another 3 days, then she will be rechecked by the vet Monday. I've read up on the possibility of her having cancer and i really strongly hope this isn the case
.. but her overall presentation and activity has definitely improved at least. Shes very irritable though; when i take her out to give her a cuddle and then put her back, she will bob her head at me once or twice; same as when i try to offer her normal food- she just gives me a hateful glare and her beard might start to turn just a little dark (for only a moment) .. its as if shes telling me to f*ck off :lol: Its not stress.. because the rest of her colour and activity is quite normal; its just for a moment she kindof gives me the notion to sod off if i bother her too much.
I see so many posts with people who have sweet and loving dragons but mine sometimes just seems like shes just annoyed with everything in the world :roll: not even in an aggressive way but.. maybe a passive aggressive way? LOL .. she does love her cuddles though. Just don't do anything else that might be inconvenient to her. (taking her to the vet is one of those things..)
Even the vet told me she just looked like she was the most unamused dragon she had ever seen