Lazy beardie suddenly glass surfing & not wanting to be in tank??

[SpikyFeli]

Hey guys this is my first post here and I apologize if this is super long but I want to include as much context as possible!

I don't know where else to go because I couldn't find anyone else online asking this and I'm super stressed out! My beardie, Ozzy, is typically very lazy and likes to sleep, eat, and bask (I've tried plenty of times over the years to get him to play, but he won't lol). However, since monday (3/10) he has suddenly began glass surfing and knocking things over in his tank like crazy! He doesn't want to be in his tank at all and when he's out he does his typical exploring for a little bit then finding a corner to lay in. I've been letting him roam around almost all day these past few days and when attempting multiple times a day to put him back in his tank to bask for a little bit, he begins to immediately glass surf and scratch. He's been in this tank for over a year now and he hasn't had a problem being in there so idk what's going on! Additionally, when he's out he does these tiny little poops that are barely anything and recently he has began to shed just a little bit (one claw and his bottom jaw), but he hasn't acted this way in the past when shedding. It's stressing me out a lot because I don't believe he's getting the proper basking time he needs everyday so if you guys have any idea what's going on I'd greatly appreciate it! Below I'll attach some images of his tank, him, and his type of temper tantrum lol.

this here is ozzy! He is 4 yrs old and a healthy weight! His diet is greens like collards, arugula, celery leaves, kale, and varies whenever I buy him food. He likes green beans, fruit, basil, and cilantro as treats (ill sometimes get cilantro or basil to mix in his staple diet). He rarely gets insects which is changing now that I realize they should be a part of his weekly diet. He also gets calcium w/ d3 on mondays & tuesdays, a reptivite on sunday, and the rest of the days he gets calcium w/out d3.

this is his tank set up! it's a refurbished entertainment stand built from p solid wood! the inside is the size of a 60 gallon and has enough proper ventilation. I am wary of the basking bulb being a tad bit too low, but again he's p lazy so I don't worry too much about him face planting in it lol. His temperatures are proper with his basking side being in the 90s. His humidity has been a bit low bc of the winter, but since spring is coming in NC the humidity should skyrocket soon ough.
View attachment ozzys great big tantrum.jpg and here is an example of his tantrums, he just totally knocks stuff over even if I put youtube on for him to watch! I have to go to work tonight wish me luck......

But yeah, I'm sorry again for the super long post im just super worried and I know it's important to know specifics when addressing issues like this! If you guys have any ideas at all please let me know I'm super worried for my baby

 

[Sadie]

Hey guys this is my first post here and I apologize if this is super long but I want to include as much context as possible!

I don't know where else to go because I couldn't find anyone else online asking this and I'm super stressed out! My beardie, Ozzy, is typically very lazy and likes to sleep, eat, and bask (I've tried plenty of times over the years to get him to play, but he won't lol). However, since monday (3/10) he has suddenly began glass surfing and knocking things over in his tank like crazy! He doesn't want to be in his tank at all and when he's out he does his typical exploring for a little bit then finding a corner to lay in. I've been letting him roam around almost all day these past few days and when attempting multiple times a day to put him back in his tank to bask for a little bit, he begins to immediately glass surf and scratch. He's been in this tank for over a year now and he hasn't had a problem being in there so idk what's going on! Additionally, when he's out he does these tiny little poops that are barely anything and recently he has began to shed just a little bit (one claw and his bottom jaw), but he hasn't acted this way in the past when shedding. It's stressing me out a lot because I don't believe he's getting the proper basking time he needs everyday so if you guys have any idea what's going on I'd greatly appreciate it! Below I'll attach some images of his tank, him, and his type of temper tantrum lol.

View attachment 37349 this here is ozzy! He is 4 yrs old and a healthy weight! His diet is greens like collards, arugula, celery leaves, kale, and varies whenever I buy him food. He likes green beans, fruit, basil, and cilantro as treats (ill sometimes get cilantro or basil to mix in his staple diet). He rarely gets insects which is changing now that I realize they should be a part of his weekly diet. He also gets calcium w/ d3 on mondays & tuesdays, a reptivite on sunday, and the rest of the days he gets calcium w/out d3.
View attachment 37350 this is his tank set up! it's a refurbished entertainment stand built from p solid wood! the inside is the size of a 60 gallon and has enough proper ventilation. I am wary of the basking bulb being a tad bit too low, but again he's p lazy so I don't worry too much about him face planting in it lol. His temperatures are proper with his basking side being in the 90s. His humidity has been a bit low bc of the winter, but since spring is coming in NC the humidity should skyrocket soon ough.
View attachment 37351 and here is an example of his tantrums, he just totally knocks stuff over even if I put youtube on for him to watch! I have to go to work tonight wish me luck......

But yeah, I'm sorry again for the super long post im just super worried and I know it's important to know specifics when addressing issues like this! If you guys have any ideas at all please let me know I'm super worried for my baby

What are the surface basking temps? The basking bulb should not be closer than 6"-- those temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- they are the most accurate - uvb is long tube? What brand and bulb- the dragon is a male - glass surface is spring fever- normal behavior and male hormones kicking in- sounds like he's being a normal male

 

[SpikyFeli]

What are the surface basking temps? The basking bulb should not be closer than 6"-- those temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- they are the most accurate - uvb is long tube? What brand and bulb- the dragon is a male - glass surface is spring fever- normal behavior and male hormones kicking in- sounds like he's being a normal male

My mom used her temp gun to check the surface temps and I forgot what they were specifically but they were appropriate on both sides! I forget what brand of uvb but it’s made for lizard and is the correct type! I’ve heard recently from some friends that it could possibly be hormones?? And tbh that makes sense since it’s spring now! I’m just surprised that if it is hormones that it’s only now happening at 4! Is that typical?

 

[Sadie]

My mom used her temp gun to check the surface temps and I forgot what they were specifically but they were appropriate on both sides! I forget what brand of uvb but it’s made for lizard and is the correct type! I’ve heard recently from some friends that it could possibly be hormones?? And tbh that makes sense since it’s spring now! I’m just surprised that if it is hormones that it’s only now happening at 4! Is that typical?

Yes it could be he's just now recognizing those hormones- please look on the uvb bulb and tell me brand and bulb- it should not be over 11 months old and directly above the basking decor piece 12-15 inches-for a T 5 ---uvb quality is crucial - not all uvb bulbs are good--

 

[SpikyFeli]

Howdy! I just got back from work and was able to look it up! I think this is the correct one? Thank you for the info about replacing it every 11 months I think it’s time to get a new one soon since it says my last purchase was 9/12/24! I know in the past I’ve gotten the reptisun lights but decided to try these ones!

 

[Musicmanslady]

Id go back to the reptisun, or arcadia. You want a t5 10.0 if youre using reptisun, or a 12% arcadia. Honestly, a great (if pricey) way to check your uvb output is to get a solarmeter 6.5r and hold at facing the uvb at the level and spot your dragon basks at. Mine is getting a uvb of 6.5 to 6.9, which is high, but he is getting a new bioactive tank within the next 10 days or so. The ideal uvb should be 3.5 to 4.5 at the level of the dragons back on his basking spot. The solarmeter really takes the guesswork out and it also tells you if your uvb bulb is good or getting old and putting out less uvb. T8s wear out faster than t5s and arent as good overall...tĥey also need to be replaced every 6 months, not every 11 months like the t5. If hes getting too much uvb on the other hand, he will move away from the light and spend less time basking.

 

[SpikyFeli]

Id go back to the reptisun, or arcadia. You want a t5 10.0 if youre using reptisun, or a 12% arcadia. Honestly, a great (if pricey) way to check your uvb output is to get a solarmeter 6.5r and hold at facing the uvb at the level and spot your dragon basks at. Mine is getting a uvb of 6.5 to 6.9, which is high, but he is getting a new bioactive tank within the next 10 days or so. The ideal uvb should be 3.5 to 4.5 at the level of the dragons back on his basking spot. The solarmeter really takes the guesswork out and it also tells you if your uvb bulb is good or getting old and putting out less uvb. T8s wear out faster than t5s and arent as good overall...tĥey also need to be replaced every 6 months, not every 11 months like the t5. If hes getting too much uvb on the other hand, he will move away from the light and spend less time basking.

Thanks so much for the input! I think I’ll go back to reptisun or check out the Arcadia bulb you mentioned! Also I’m curious about the last bit you mentioned about if he has too much uvb he’ll spend time basking! He doesn’t mind basking on his warm side under his basking bulb but his fav spot is def on his bed up near his uvb! Could you shed more light on that?

 

[Musicmanslady]

Thanks so much for the input! I think I’ll go back to reptisun or check out the Arcadia bulb you mentioned! Also I’m curious about the last bit you mentioned about if he has too much uvb he’ll spend time basking! He doesn’t mind basking on his warm side under his basking bulb but his fav spot is def on his bed up near his uvb! Could you shed more light on that?

I meant that if he is getting enough (or too much) uvb, he will move on his own to a spot away from the uvb. However, if he has a t8 bulb (like the one in your picture) it has to be mounted in the tank, not on top of the screen, or he wont get enough uvb. Please if you can switch to the t5...the reptisun t5 10.0 is fantastic. What size is his tank? The standard size is 4x2x2 or 120 gallon...he can stay in this size tank all his life. They dont bask all day but they definitely should be basking first thing in the morning and absolutely after eating..ŵithout proper uvb and heat they cant digest their food! Mine climbs up to his basking spot on his own right after he eats.

 

[Musicmanslady]

Also, it looks like from your pic that his heat and uvb are on opposite ends of the tank. If you can, can you move his uvb closer to, even overlapping his basking bulb? That way he wont have to choose between heat and uvb. Here is how I mounted mine if that helps:

 

[Sadie]

It is optimal that the UVB and basking be in one area but not definite - dragons know what light they need and will go to that light - as suggested go back to the Reptisun or Arcadia 12% 24 watt bulb - they are the best quality at this time - make sure the distance for the T 5 is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece - T 8's are not as strong and require a closer distance -

 

[SpikyFeli]

I meant that if he is getting enough (or too much) uvb, he will move on his own to a spot away from the uvb. However, if he has a t8 bulb (like the one in your picture) it has to be mounted in the tank, not on top of the screen, or he wont get enough uvb. Please if you can switch to the t5...the reptisun t5 10.0 is fantastic. What size is his tank? The standard size is 4x2x2 or 120 gallon...he can stay in this size tank all his life. They dont bask all day but they definitely should be basking first thing in the morning and absolutely after eating..ŵithout proper uvb and heat they cant digest their food! Mine climbs up to his basking spot on his own right after he eats.

Ozzy’s tank is a refurbished entertainment stand thingy and is the size of a 60 gallon! His t8 is mounted inside the tank close to his platform and I think it’s suggested it should be about 6-8 inches away which is definitely close enough! I was looking for an 18” t5 but sadly couldn’t find one without having to get my mom to unscrew the mount and put in a new one! Also I never thought about having the lights closer together! Sadly though his mounts are screwed in so it’d be a bit hard lol my mom was the one who put it together! Also I wanna thank both of yall for the help it really means a lot! He’s still being a hormonal rascal but hoping he mellows out soon! I’ve been trying to get him to get his daily basking time before letting him roam!

 

[Sadie]

Ozzy’s tank is a refurbished entertainment stand thingy and is the size of a 60 gallon! His t8 is mounted inside the tank close to his platform and I think it’s suggested it should be about 6-8 inches away which is definitely close enough! I was looking for an 18” t5 but sadly couldn’t find one without having to get my mom to unscrew the mount and put in a new one! Also I never thought about having the lights closer together! Sadly though his mounts are screwed in so it’d be a bit hard lol my mom was the one who put it together! Also I wanna thank both of yall for the help it really means a lot! He’s still being a hormonal rascal but hoping he mellows out soon! I’ve been trying to get him to get his daily basking time before letting him roam!

As long as he can get directly under the T 8 6-8 inches he will be fine-- I do recommend you upgrade to a T 5 and T 8's need to be changed out every 6 months I recommend 5