First setup - UVB question

BrightStar · Sep 26, 2016

I was doing some research today on mounting the UVB inside the cage. It doesn't sound quite as scary as I feared - seems that it can be done with Velcro or command hooks, and an under cabinet fixture. I think I could manage that...

If I do mount the UVB inside the cage, is it okay to mount it on the back wall? Or is that not as good as the light being overhead? Also, I'd probably have to stick with just the one UVB. It seems the largest T5 is 46", which is not quite 2/3rds of a 72" cage. Is this going to be okay or should I really try for exactly 2/3rds minimum?

SpacialCoogs · Sep 26, 2016

Mine is on the back wall. A reflector will help direct the uvb.

CooperDragon · Sep 26, 2016

It's best to mount it overhead so they can better regulate and avoid glare. You don't need it to be 2/3. I shoot for having it maybe 1/2 but at least slightly larger than the length of your dragon in order to create a wide enough basking area for even basking. A 22'' or 36'' T5 will do the trick in most cases. A lot of the T5 fixtures are designed for grow lights and have hooks in them that make for easy mounting from clips or a wire. They should sit about 12'' above the highest basking area for best results.

BrightStar · Sep 26, 2016

If I mount the T5 overhead, do I still need some sort of reflector?

CooperDragon · Sep 28, 2016

It's not necessary but I find it helpful. The effective distance is decreased without a reflector. Taterbug has a really helpful chart that shows the effective distances with different configurations. https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

BrightStar · Sep 28, 2016

Thanks, CooperDragon. That was an immensely helpful chart. I studied it for quite a while, and have finally decided on what to buy.

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/46-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

I hope I brought the right thing?

CooperDragon · Sep 28, 2016

That's a great bulb but will cover a lot of area. If you go with it, be sure to provide plenty of shade areas and spots away from the light because it will provide intense UVB at 12'' or so. You want to offer plenty of variety so your dragon can move around and choose to bask or not to rather than forcing high UVB everywhere. She has another chart that helps explain the idea https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/photogradient

BrightStar · Sep 28, 2016

Thanks again for the advise, CooperDragon. I was thinking that by picking this light, I would be able to mount it above the screen and still have very good UVB inside the cage. But would it still be a concern that it is too much UVB?

CooperDragon · Sep 28, 2016

Yeah that can definitely go through a screen. 10-12'' above the basking area is best in that case. It's more a matter of area covered. I like to have an area of high heat and high UVB along with areas of lower heat and little to no UVB. That gradient gives them some choice so they can move around and self regulate. They don't always want to be in high "sunlight" and will seek shady areas at some points during the day.

BrightStar · Sep 29, 2016

I've been looking into getting one of the 3D ledge backgrounds from universalrocks.com. It looks like for the size I'd need, the background sticks out about 7" (I'm assuming this would probably mean the ledge is about 7"). I'm hoping this would help to provide the shade and gradient needed by offering various heights. What do you think? It's expensive, so I want to make sure my new beardie will benefit from it if I get him/her one.

I'll also need a basking perch. I think I want something natural looking, but other than that, haven't got anything in mind just yet. Any suggestions for what would be a good choice? Any tips for choosing the right perch?

CooperDragon · Sep 29, 2016

I've had good luck using simple flat pieces of driftwood. They like to climb it and it produces some shade underneath depending on how you set it up. My guys seem to like the habba hut half logs too. The driftwood pieces and other branches can be found for free in a lot of places so it's something worth considering.

SpacialCoogs · Sep 29, 2016

If it's expensive why don't you make it yourself?

Use foam to create the ledge/shape, grout and seal it. I would use magnets instead of suction cups, you can get some really strong ones that you can mount in the ledge and then on the other side of the tank.

BrightStar · Sep 30, 2016

SpacialCoogs":1rux7x9v said:
If it's expensive why don't you make it yourself?

Use foam to create the ledge/shape, grout and seal it. I would use magnets instead of suction cups, you can get some really strong ones that you can mount in the ledge and then on the other side of the tank.

I'd love to, but I doubt I could make anything that looks even half decent. Maybe I can practice a little with some simpler ideas. But the cage is going to be in our living/dining room, so I really want to make a bit of a centerpiece out of it, and get a really nice design.

CooperDragon, I found quite a lot of places online that sell driftwood. I thought about getting something from there. Is there anything I need to do to make it suitable for a bearded dragon? When we walked the dog the other day, I did see a nice log that'd be perfect. I was uncertain about taking it because I worried it wouldn't be safe. Is there a risk of poisoning if I use the wrong type of wood?

SpacialCoogs · Sep 30, 2016

You can bake the logs in the oven at a low temp and it should kill any bugs/bacteria.

Stay away from cedar, that's not good for reptiles.

CooperDragon · Sep 30, 2016

Yeah it's usually fine to pick wood from outside. One of my driftwood pieces is from the mississippi and one is from the ocean. I just rinse them well and then bake them in the oven on low for 45min to an hour at first and whenever they get dirty.

First setup - UVB question

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