Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ackies are not eating like they are supposed to I had them since last friday and they have eaten 4 crickets each i have 2 ackies. People are saying these guys eat like crazy. What am i doing wrong I bought them from PE so i know they were well established. Im using a 100 watt bulb temps say 115-120 my dirt is moist they dig at night i had a hide spot in there but i took it out because i didnt like it because i had to push it down in the dirt for them to climb on it and when they would go inside it they would dig and burrry them selves in the dirt. they would make burrows they would just dig down. This is really frustrating because people say to use 45 watt bulbs when i dont know how that wattage can get a good basking temp in there range of heat ? Is my tank to big these babies are 10 weeks old here is my setup its not much

Maybe then call him if you have questions or problems.

You are not letting the animals acclimate which adds to their stress. You are constantly changing the set up, moving hidespots, digging them up, preventing them from digging (monitor do that).

Don't worry about the wattage of your bulb. You have a screen top which is not really good. You are not holding any of that heat or humidity in. It all evaporates out the top. A 45 watt flood is usually plenty in an enclosed cage not to mention it is closer to the animals so the spot would be hotter than a 100 watt that far away with a screen top.

You have to leave them alone and for pete's sake give them a hide spot, better yet 2 or 3. They will not feel secure out in the open with a water bowl and the world passing by.

Be sure you are checking your temps and they are correct especailly with that top as they will fluctuate greatly with the changing temps of your house.

That is where I would start.

Gene

Hy,

Gene is absolutly right. You've got mail zaf.

Regards,
Nakor

1) they are too far away from the light
2) if you've had them less than a week, they may still be acclimating
3) more dirt
4) the 45 watt bulb people refer to is for one of those big outdoor bulbs, they work better than household bulbs and have a bigger lighted area.
5) get them a hide spot. make them a hide spot. let them dig and burrow all they want, they NEED a hide spot.

hope this helps
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1.2 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna)
1.0 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh

hi, i agree with the others, i too got frustrated whe mine hide away, ut if you give them a hid spot they will come out more as they will know they can run somwhere for cover if they need to. take a loke at the pro e web site got some great info on ackies. your set up is ok just needs some hides and cover half the top with somthing solid. i pm you my email. if you wana chat email me.good luck and let us know if they start eating when you give them a hide box.

cheers Danny.

Hey I just got my two ackies yesterday mornin. I have them in a ten gallon cage with a log and three different hides that are different shapes and different spots. Once they warmed up they have been all over the cage. THey each have eaten at least 20 crickets in the last two days. They both have drank and pooped a few times already. I have A larger undertank heater, one 100 watt spot bulb, one 75 watt red bulb. ONe flourescent uvb bulb too. small water dish. THey are doin greatby the looks i would say there prolly not warm enough if they kinda just lay inder the baskin light, and you dont have any furnishings in there. I have been so surprised and happy by mine. I would have to say your set up is not quite right. But everyone is right call up robyn or email him, hes really helpfull and so is there caresheet. I would post pics but dumb computer isnt recongnizing camera. I dont want to sound like a jerk, but if your gonna spend that kind of animal on an animal why not make sure you have the setup right in the first place. But that goes with all animals too but especially those.
Well good luck
Kyle

A 45 watt outdoor flood lamp hanging inside the cage, with plexiglas blocking the top to prevent heat and moisture loss, a raised basking spot like a piece of wood or rock, offer them more privacy and crickets (I use lobster roaches also). Drill tiny holes throughout the plexiglas sheet covering the top to allow a small amount of ventilation. If they are kept in too dry of conditions they will dehydrate just like a piece of fruit left in the cage. Try more dirt, ackies love to dig and tunnel.
The 45 watt bulbs I use (outdoor floods) make basking spots of 130-170 in my female albigs cage, with 150-188 defrees for my ackie. I havent closely checked my smaller albigs temps lately. The albigs have their lights mounted 14-16 inches away from the plywood. I just used my new temp gun I bought to verify those temps.