New DIY Enclosure, Tips Appreciated!

[MagillaGorilla]

I've been away from these forums for 10 years and while I was sad that my original DIY tank images had expired and I couldn't do a side by side I knew where I wanted to go to share my latest attempt (and where to get the best info on anything I might be doing wrong).

My one concern was my UVB bulb, its a 22'' and I'm slightly worried it isn't big enough for the enclosure. In it's defense its a really nice Carolina Cages high reflective fixture and a Reptisun 10.0 UVB T5 HO bulb so I was thinking it would be strong enough. If it isn't, definitely break the news to me and I'll upgrade.

The tank was made from 3/4'' Melamine Boards, Vinyl flooring tiles and Plexi. Plus a bit of aluminum screen and a bunch of industrial velcro strips.

Let me know what you think! I don't hardly ever build things from scratch like this.



and here's the beautiful girl who gets to live here! (still thinking of names)

[AHBD]

Wow, that's a beautiful enclosure, well done ! Beautiful leatherback dragon as well. I think the light may be a bit too high up for the uvb to reach a baby dragon, maybe fix a basking spot that she can get up a little closer to it.

[KarrieRee]

Yes a beautiful tank --- and yes the UVB looks too high up for a T 5 you can go to a Arcadia 14% bulb the distance on them is 24' so if your tank is 24' I would look at getting that bulb --- you want her to be able to get directly underneath that UVB -- how tall is the tank? You need your T 5 now approx 12-15 inches from the basking spot-- how are you taking basking temps I dont see any thermometers or a hygrometer in the tank -- I would get two digital probe thermometers and place one on the cool side and one on the basking side - maybe get a infrared heat gun as well
Karrie

[MagillaGorilla]

The tank is indeed 24'' tall. I'll be sure to situate a basking spot closer to it. I thought the high output bulbs had the 18-24 inch range but I trust your judgement and will look into the Arcadia bulb.

For temperature monitoring i have a handheld laser temp gun coming in the next couple of days. I totally forgot about measuring the humidity. I'll be sure to pick something up. Thanks everyone!

[KarrieRee]

My zen is 24" tall - I had it strapped to the top of the tank w/ a piece of decor approx 17-18 inches underneath it---
Karrie