Is my UVB placed correctly and do I need another tube?

Fularurat

Member
Ok so I have the usual 90x45x45 cm glass terrarium with which I use a 75cm 10% UVB Repti-Glo tube. The tube is placed at the very back of the terrarium as you can see in the (pretty bad i know) photos. Shouls I acquire a new lid with less obstructions and place the fixture somewhere closer tho the centre? And is the UVB enough with all that mesh between the light and the beardie and if not should I get another one of the same tubes (10% UVB) or one of lower intensity (2-5% UVB)?
 

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Badwolfe

Hatchling Member
personally I'd try to move the UVB tube below the mesh and definitely move it more towards the centre of the viv. Reflectors bounce the light downwards in an arc so a lot of your reflected light at the moment is being bounced onto the back wall and wasted
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Is your bulb a T5 or a T8? A T8 won't be powerful enough for that enclosure. A T5 will work from on top of the mesh, but you'll want to elevate the main basking area (or add branches to allow higher access) to within about 8-10'' of the bulb due to the screen intercepting some of the UVB. Having it set against the back like that should be OK. It will create a gradient with higher UVB along the back and less as you move forward. I have mine set up like that but in reverse with the UVB along the front (same enclosure).
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I would change out the UVB brand of bulb go w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 if your fixture is for a T 5 bulb -- or a Arcadia 12% bulb they are way better bulbs and depending on that bulb and your screen will determine the placement of the T 5 -- some can sit on top of your screen but it MUST BE a wide hole type of screen otherwise it does need to go inside the tank ---- T 8's MUST GO inside the tank regardless of the screen-- certain distance also is a requirement between the bulbs as well
 

Fularurat

Member
Original Poster
Is your bulb a T5 or a T8? A T8 won't be powerful enough for that enclosure. A T5 will work from on top of the mesh, but you'll want to elevate the main basking area (or add branches to allow higher access) to within about 8-10'' of the bulb due to the screen intercepting some of the UVB. Having it set against the back like that should be OK. It will create a gradient with higher UVB along the back and less as you move forward. I have mine set up like that but in reverse with the UVB along the front (same enclosure).
T8 tube. Is there a way to make it work?
 

Fularurat

Member
Original Poster
I would change out the UVB brand of bulb go w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 if your fixture is for a T 5 bulb -- or a Arcadia 12% bulb they are way better bulbs and depending on that bulb and your screen will determine the placement of the T 5 -- some can sit on top of your screen but it MUST BE a wide hole type of screen otherwise it does need to go inside the tank ---- T 8's MUST GO inside the tank regardless of the screen-- certain distance also is a requirement between the bulbs as well
A T8. Any way to make it work?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
A T8. Any way to make it work?
Only inside the tank -- it must be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor --- T 8's are not strong enough to go thru screen and for the size of the tank I recommend a T 5- T 8's need to be changed out every 6 months I recommend 5 --- a T 5's once a year I recommend a month prior to - if you need help w/ hanging it I can post some stuff that works good
 

Fularurat

Member
Original Poster
Only inside the tank -- it must be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor --- T 8's are not strong enough to go thru screen and for the size of the tank I recommend a T 5- T 8's need to be changed out every 6 months I recommend 5 --- a T 5's once a year I recommend a month prior to - if you need help w/ hanging it I can post some stuff that works good
Yep I'd appreciate some help if possible. Altgough the light fixture that's keeping it in place is as long as the viv itself
Also thank you very much👍
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Yep I'd appreciate some help if possible. Altgough the light fixture that's keeping it in place is as long as the viv itself
Also thank you very much👍

I use this its like a Velcro strap cut into strips then wrap around your fixture -- if you decide to switch to the T 5 the next fixture you get dont get as long as the tank -- a 24" or 30" for a 4x2x2 tank is good --
 

Fularurat

Member
Original Poster
I use this its like a Velcro strap cut into strips then wrap around your fixture -- if you decide to switch to the T 5 the next fixture you get dont get as long as the tank -- a 24" or 30" for a 4x2x2 tank is good --
Thank you but again the fixture's as long as the viv meaning it literally won't fit in
Or do you suggest I should tape the fixture to the tank after I take the lid off
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Thank you but again the fixture's as long as the viv meaning it literally won't fit in
Or do you suggest I should tape the fixture to the tank after I take the lid off
Take the fixture and place it width wise directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches - you can place it on the end of the tank and butt your screen up to the uvb fixture
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Ultimately, a T5 will be the way to go. Since the existing fixture is too large to fit inside the enclosure, I would try to bring the basking spot a bit closer by raising it up to 6-8'' or add a branch or something to climb on that will provide closer access. If you don't have other animals in the house, you could also leave the screen top off and just sit the light over the top. This is what I do with mine, but I don't have any other animals in the house that would pose a risk to an open enclosure.
 

Longfellow777

Sub-Adult Member
Beardie name(s)
Frey'ja
Did you ever figure out your uvb situation? I’m curious what you ended up doing and I’m sure the ones that were trying to help are too? I agree with cooperdragon and karrieree The T5 is what I hope you went with. Even if you got the T8 in the tank it leaves your dragon no options and you no options for decor. The reason karrieree said you don’t want to get a UVB the whole length of the tank is so the dragon can retreat out of it if it wants. My enclosure is 4 ft long and I have a 24 inch at an angle. My dragon seems to like it that way. You want a light to shade method. A T5 gives you the ability to do this easily. With high output on bask site with less and less uvb exposure as you get to the other end. I have two basking zones my bask bulb hits. The first stays around 95f (adults like it cooler) and 15 inches from uvb. Second stays around 102f and 12 inches from uvb. Everywhere else it hits is around 18 inches from uvb. To nearly nothing at other end (shad to light method) A lot of helpful people on here the two that responded to you really know their stuff. Let us know how you and your dragon are doing and if we can help. Oh btw my distances are from a T5 inside the enclosure not through mesh. 12 and 15 inches won’t cut it if it’s on screen.
 

AndyKandyKane

Member
Beardie name(s)
Mango
I would change out the UVB brand of bulb go w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 if your fixture is for a T 5 bulb -- or a Arcadia 12% bulb they are way better bulbs and depending on that bulb and your screen will determine the placement of the T 5 -- some can sit on top of your screen but it MUST BE a wide hole type of screen otherwise it does need to go inside the tank ---- T 8's MUST GO inside the tank regardless of the screen-- certain distance also is a requirement between the bulbs as well
Are you saying Arcadia is a better bulb than Reptisun or that both bulbs are better than what he has? (I'm new too so just clarifying)
 

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