Hey guys,
Not my first beardie, but this enclosure is twice the average size 1200x1200x600.
I'm converting my old water dragon setup into an arid tank with two levels. Bottom will be styled as a cave/resting area with access via hammocks and a soft raised floor. Layers are separated by a plywood shelf that covers the entire tank area - access is a 200mmish square hole to one side under a basking shelf.
Can I get away with just ambient lighting down there, or should I rig it with UV too?
I'll be getting a 3 month old, so don't want to promote brumating. (Southern hemisphere, so going into fall) Viv only gets filtered light during the day otherwise.
Will the lack of UV down there promote lazy behavior or will lighting in general be enough to not throw off its circadian rhythm?
I've never tested if beardies are clever enough to self-regulate their UV exposure - I suppose I'd be less critical if it wasn't a wee one.
Temps won't be an issue - it's well insulated with 7.5 m of heat rope to raise the tank ambient. Top has an 850mm T5 14% UVB within 300mm from basking point. (And a reptoglow drop light).
I've added a caged socket to the bottom, but intended to use that for heating over the winter - will add a spot UV if anything, but would rather some coloured strips and a 50w blue in that fixture. What do you guys think?
Am I just asking for baby to get jammed up somewhere down there for a nap in the middle of the day, or should it be ok?
Not my first beardie, but this enclosure is twice the average size 1200x1200x600.
I'm converting my old water dragon setup into an arid tank with two levels. Bottom will be styled as a cave/resting area with access via hammocks and a soft raised floor. Layers are separated by a plywood shelf that covers the entire tank area - access is a 200mmish square hole to one side under a basking shelf.
Can I get away with just ambient lighting down there, or should I rig it with UV too?
I'll be getting a 3 month old, so don't want to promote brumating. (Southern hemisphere, so going into fall) Viv only gets filtered light during the day otherwise.
Will the lack of UV down there promote lazy behavior or will lighting in general be enough to not throw off its circadian rhythm?
I've never tested if beardies are clever enough to self-regulate their UV exposure - I suppose I'd be less critical if it wasn't a wee one.
Temps won't be an issue - it's well insulated with 7.5 m of heat rope to raise the tank ambient. Top has an 850mm T5 14% UVB within 300mm from basking point. (And a reptoglow drop light).
I've added a caged socket to the bottom, but intended to use that for heating over the winter - will add a spot UV if anything, but would rather some coloured strips and a 50w blue in that fixture. What do you guys think?
Am I just asking for baby to get jammed up somewhere down there for a nap in the middle of the day, or should it be ok?