TipsyTraveler
Hatchling Member
So I don't currently have a beardie as my last passed on 5ish years ago, after I had him for 4 years (He was 8 years old not 4, I took him off someone's hands who didn't really take care of him). I'm planning on getting 2 more soon, since recently I learned my wife is fascinated with them when I had actually thought they'd gross her out. She didn't know I'd ever had one and thought I wouldn't be interested haha.
So now I'm building 2 identical enlosures out of melamine, they're gonna be 48"L x 24"W x 24"H. I was thinking about 18"W, but I think they'll enjoy a little more space. For my beardie years ago, I built one out of plywood, but now I'm reading that melamine is preferable and it's not much of a price difference.
So for the lighting, I was going to mount the basking ceramic fixture on the interior ceiling, and mount a 48" UVB diagonally on the interior ceiling as well. It would be corner to corner diagonally, with some of the UVB bulb being within appropriate range of the basking spot (6-8"). So I had a couple questions that might not matter at all, but I wanted to be sure because it's been a couple years.
Does it matter if I mount it diagonally across the viv ceiling? I figured it would reach the beardie in every part of the viv this way, as well as being within appropriate range of the basking spot.
Do y'all think a 48" bulb is too long, or should I go with a 36" UVB?
Being on the 24" high interior ceiling not blocked by a screen, would a Reptisun 10.0 T5 be too strong, or should I go with the T8? Pricing of the bulb doesn't really matter to me, I just wanna give each beardie the best I can. In theory we'll save with vet bills anyway haha.
Is a reflector in the fixture necessary with either bulb? If it'll help I'll get it.
These enclosures will be identical and each contain a beardie from 6" total length all the way through adulthood, if that's relevant. Any advice is appreciated, as well as design tips and ideas, I'm currently getting materials and haven't started the build yet.
So now I'm building 2 identical enlosures out of melamine, they're gonna be 48"L x 24"W x 24"H. I was thinking about 18"W, but I think they'll enjoy a little more space. For my beardie years ago, I built one out of plywood, but now I'm reading that melamine is preferable and it's not much of a price difference.
So for the lighting, I was going to mount the basking ceramic fixture on the interior ceiling, and mount a 48" UVB diagonally on the interior ceiling as well. It would be corner to corner diagonally, with some of the UVB bulb being within appropriate range of the basking spot (6-8"). So I had a couple questions that might not matter at all, but I wanted to be sure because it's been a couple years.
Does it matter if I mount it diagonally across the viv ceiling? I figured it would reach the beardie in every part of the viv this way, as well as being within appropriate range of the basking spot.
Do y'all think a 48" bulb is too long, or should I go with a 36" UVB?
Being on the 24" high interior ceiling not blocked by a screen, would a Reptisun 10.0 T5 be too strong, or should I go with the T8? Pricing of the bulb doesn't really matter to me, I just wanna give each beardie the best I can. In theory we'll save with vet bills anyway haha.
Is a reflector in the fixture necessary with either bulb? If it'll help I'll get it.
These enclosures will be identical and each contain a beardie from 6" total length all the way through adulthood, if that's relevant. Any advice is appreciated, as well as design tips and ideas, I'm currently getting materials and haven't started the build yet.