I guess im a lucky one i own 4 balls right now 2 het axanthics that i bought 2 days ago at an expo. a pastel baby about 3 months old and an 8 month old normal and they all ate for me with in the first week, actually my hets took the first meal with me the day after i got them and handle very well. but if i was you i would try to make sure that you temps are right. did you get that dimmer and wire it up you can check youtube out on that. as a hide for my baby pastle i use a baby wipes container and i also have like 10 crumpled up things of news paper so he can move threw enclosure rfeeling secure as hes in a 28 QT. if i was you i would down size to liek a 15 qt tub with smaller hides