Cor":2dlssv3a said:
claudiusx":2dlssv3a said:
Better isn't the right term. The 14% is a stronger bulb, but not necessarily better.
If your tank is only 12 inches tall, the 14% would be a worse bulb as it would expose your dragon to too much uv. So it depends on your situation really.
The 14 is great in that it lets you provide a nice uv gradient in a larger tank. But they both are "better" bulbs, if you get my drift.
-Brandon
Hi Brandon, I need your help once again. I am starting to think I found the cause of my beardie issues. My ho t5 10 reptisun with reflector. I just measured distance to bulb from basking site, it's 9 inches. Is that the issue?
Refer to this
from
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=234801&p=1806497#p1806497
which clearly shows that in summer in the natural range of wild bearded dragons , UVB flux is routinely in the range of 300 to 450 microW / sqcm for much of the day when dragons are actively foraging and seeking mating opportunities.
And refer to this for similar t5ho tubes (in this case t5ho 12% uvb is relevant) :
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611
From the graphs - I calculate (very easily) , at 9" from the unobstructed t5ho 10% UVB tube (if it's new) in a reflector hood the following Flux[9"] = 240 x 5/6 = 200 microW UVB/sqcm which is near perfect for the basking spot for a bearded dragon.
Ideally you dragon will do best with a gradient from about 200 microW UVB/sq to 70 microW / sq.cm (and lower at the "shady" end (which usually coincides with the cool zone.
This give the dragon the opportunity to move from extreme / high UV flux to low / zero UV flux as it needs during the day , much the same as they thermoregulate.
Keep in mind the UV output from the t5ho tube will decay over the next 6 months to a point where it will be somewhere between 0.4x and 0.3x the new tube levels as the phosphors loose activity over time.