Is this enclosure plan alright?

Ninniy · Aug 22, 2016

How's this for my enclosure? Getting a dragon in a while and I'm getting this stuff:

I'm going to build a 75 gallon vivarium. (18"L x 48"W x 21"H) It's probably too large for the dragon as a child, so I plan to partition it with cardboard or something.
UVB light: Arcadia D3+ T-5 24 Inch 24 Watt - hooked to the underside of the screen top or the back wall (should I get a longer one since my tank is double the size?)
Ceramic tiling
Fluker's ceramic heat emitter with fluker's clamp lamp
Etekcity temp gun and 2 digital thermometers for the cool/hot side
This basking light. I'll try out different watts depending on the temperature.

Drache613 · Aug 22, 2016

Hello,

That tank setup sounds very good. The Arcadia D3 12% T5 tube bulb is great. Technically, the UVB only needs to take up 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of the tank so taking up 1/2 of the tank length will be fine.
How close is the Arcadia bulb going to be from him, since you are mounting it underneath of the screen? Does your fixture have a reflector also? I would say 10 inches distance wise is safe, with a reflector but no closer. The basking light is good also, though 50 watts might not get the basking temperatures up quite enough, but you can tweak that with a higher wattage if needed as you are planning on doing.

What are you using for a tank liner/substrate?
Be sure to post pictures on your tank as you are getting it all finished up.
When do you anticipate getting your new baby?

Tracie

Ninniy · Aug 22, 2016

Drache613":2pqgimum said:
Hello,

That tank setup sounds very good. The Arcadia D3 12% T5 tube bulb is great. Technically, the UVB only needs to take up 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of the tank so taking up 1/2 of the tank length will be fine.
How close is the Arcadia bulb going to be from him, since you are mounting it underneath of the screen? Does your fixture have a reflector also? I would say 10 inches distance wise is safe, with a reflector but no closer. The basking light is good also, though 50 watts might not get the basking temperatures up quite enough, but you can tweak that with a higher wattage if needed as you are planning on doing.
What are you using for a tank liner/substrate?
Be sure to post pictures on your tank as you are getting it all finished up.
When do you anticipate getting your new baby?

Tracie

About the UVB distance, I thought it only needed to be that close to where the basking spot is? I was going to have a little platform there so the dragon would be in range of both lights, about 10 inches, as you said. I was considering making the vivarium a bit shorter though, maybe 18 inches, which would make the gap be about 15-16 inches to the floor.

I don't think my fixture has a reflector. This is the fixture. I'm not familiar with reflectors, what's the purpose of them and where can I get a fixture with one?

The tank liner is probably just going to be some paper towels.

I'm getting the baby in a year. This gives me time to do lots of research! I'm taking a trip across the country and will get them when I return.

Taterbug · Aug 23, 2016

If you have the space and resources I would make the cage larger, defiantly no smaller. Dragons are semi-arboreal and good climbers given practice.

UV of half the length is fine, the T5 are pretty strong and right under it at 10-12" is like strong mid morning sun. Having it higher up and over less cage means the dragon can choose how much exposure and that the exposure is in line with the heat. The warm area and uv area should be at least as big as the dragon is.

Never mount lights on the sides of the enclosure.

This guide may help. If you have questions about it just ask me I'll be happy to clarify

https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

Ninniy · Aug 23, 2016

Taterbug":56ryka0x said:
If you have the space and resources I would make the cage larger, defiantly no smaller. Dragons are semi-arboreal and good climbers given practice.

UV of half the length is fine, the T5 are pretty strong and right under it at 10-12" is like strong mid morning sun. Having it higher up and over less cage means the dragon can choose how much exposure and that the exposure is in line with the heat. The warm area and uv area should be at least as big as the dragon is.

Never mount lights on the sides of the enclosure.

This guide may help. If you have questions about it just ask me I'll be happy to clarify https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

So it should be fine if the light is hanging 24 inches above the dragon, as long as it's 10 inches away from the basking spot?

Also, where can I purchase a fixture with a reflector?

quyllur · Aug 23, 2016

Your basking bulb that you linked is an LED bulb, I don't think it will give off nearly enough heat. Better to go with a halogen flood bulb.

SBarney · Aug 23, 2016

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-base-unit-no-bulb/

Ninniy · Aug 23, 2016

quyllur":1u9qf33d said:
Your basking bulb that you linked is an LED bulb, I don't think it will give off nearly enough heat. Better to go with a halogen flood bulb.

How's this bulb? I couldn't find many bulbs with higher wattage on the website, though I'm not sure if I need that quite yet.

Ninniy · Aug 23, 2016

SBarney":1tdi2vq2 said:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-base-unit-no-bulb/

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be getting this one.

quyllur · Aug 23, 2016

The one you linked has a non-standard base. I would suggest something like this:

50W equivalent: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-50W-Equivalent-Halogen-PAR30S-Energy-Advantage-Flood-Light-Bulb-238543/203664929

or

75W equivalent: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-75W-Equivalent-Halogen-PAR38-Energy-Advantage-Wide-Flood-Light-Bulb-238493/203664979

or

60W: https://www.walmart.com/ip/125811076

I have found that a 75W equivalent (which is actually 53W) is plenty to keep my temperatures up in my 48"x24"x31" enclosure, but my enclosure is made of wood which insulates quite a bit better than glass. You should purchase a couple of different wattages and get them set up and take your temps. Then make adjustments as needed. Having multiple wattages will also help to account for seasonal changes as a higher wattage bulb may be needed in winter versus summer.

Ninniy · Aug 23, 2016

quyllur":37rdfnn6 said:
The one you linked has a non-standard base. I would suggest something like this:

50W equivalent: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-50W-Equivalent-Halogen-PAR30S-Energy-Advantage-Flood-Light-Bulb-238543/203664929

or

75W equivalent: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-75W-Equivalent-Halogen-PAR38-Energy-Advantage-Wide-Flood-Light-Bulb-238493/203664979

or

60W: https://www.walmart.com/ip/125811076

I have found that a 75W equivalent (which is actually 53W) is plenty to keep my temperatures up in my 48"x24"x31" enclosure, but my enclosure is made of wood which insulates quite a bit better than glass. You should purchase a couple of different wattages and get them set up and take your temps. Then make adjustments as needed. Having multiple wattages will also help to account for seasonal changes as a higher wattage bulb may be needed in winter versus summer.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be getting one of these instead.

Is this enclosure plan alright?

Ninniy

Member

Drache613

BD.org Sicko

Ninniy

Member

Taterbug

BD.org Addict

Ninniy

Member

quyllur

Hatchling Member

SBarney

Member

Ninniy

Member

Ninniy

Member

quyllur

Hatchling Member

Ninniy

Member

Members online

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Forum statistics

Share this page