Guidance on lighting setup for custom enclosure

[blakemw65]

Hello! New user and first time posting. I am completing my build of a custom enclosure for my daughter's BD, and I need guidance on our lighting setup. These forums are rich in information, and I've been reading much over the last week, but there is so much info it's a little overwhelming. I have a basic setup in mind, but I need thoughts on some particulars.

First, the enclosure:

The dimensions: 59" wide (interior), 24" deep (interior), 24" high (interior).
Plexiglass sliding front doors.
The open back will actually be plexiglass, then enclosure scenery behind, and then a secured backer board to keep the scenery in place.

The "hot" side will be on the left, and I have placed the vent holes (vents not installed yet) accordingly (high on the hot side, low on the cool side).

I have designed this with a solid top--no screen, vent holes, or light holes. The decision was made partly because of the size of the enclosure and my concerns of keeping in warmth. Accordingly, the decision on the height was to facilitate mounting everything inside.

Btw, the bottom will be textured ceramic tile over the sealed wood base.

Here are my questions:
1.) T5 UBV strip light: I understand that the UVB strip should run roughly 75% of width of the enclosure. But at 5 feet enclosure width, would a 3-foot or 4-foot strip be better.
2.) And for this size enclosure, is only one T5 strip sufficient.
2a.) And is T5 itself sufficient?? Do I need T8 instead?
3.) T5 strip placement: would you center the strip front to back? And would you mount the end of the strip flush with the enclosure side or a short distance a way (6" maybe)...does this really affect the coverage?
4.) And for this size enclosure, can you recommend a specific bulb (and fixture too!).
5.) Regarding the basking light (again, this will be on the left side): We currently have one of these in the existing enclosure:

But at 12" height, and mounting (hanging) inside, that doesn't leave a lot of room for adjustment.
Assuming a distance somewhere between 12" and 14" from light to BD, I'm wondering what fixture you would recommend.
Btw, I have my eye on this. I like the mount, but I would have to figure a dome... With this, we would adjust the height of the basking stone and not the lamp... Also, Pangea is sold out of these

6.) And if you can recommend a fixture (short enough to mount/hang inside) can you specify also a specific bulb.
7.) Finally, would another light (household bulb) be necessary on the cool side?

Thanks all for enduring so many questions! Again, I know all this will have been answered many times, but I think the dimensions of this specific build leave me with lingering concerns.

Cheers!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello! New user and first time posting. I am completing my build of a custom enclosure for my daughter's BD, and I need guidance on our lighting setup. These forums are rich in information, and I've been reading much over the last week, but there is so much info it's a little overwhelming. I have a basic setup in mind, but I need thoughts on some particulars.

First, the enclosure:
View attachment 69669
View attachment 69670
View attachment 69671
The dimensions: 59" wide (interior), 24" deep (interior), 24" high (interior).
Plexiglass sliding front doors.
The open back will actually be plexiglass, then enclosure scenery behind, and then a secured backer board to keep the scenery in place.

The "hot" side will be on the left, and I have placed the vent holes (vents not installed yet) accordingly (high on the hot side, low on the cool side).

I have designed this with a solid top--no screen, vent holes, or light holes. The decision was made partly because of the size of the enclosure and my concerns of keeping in warmth. Accordingly, the decision on the height was to facilitate mounting everything inside.

Btw, the bottom will be textured ceramic tile over the sealed wood base.

Here are my questions:
1.) T5 UBV strip light: I understand that the UVB strip should run roughly 75% of width of the enclosure. But at 5 feet enclosure width, would a 3-foot or 4-foot strip be better.
2.) And for this size enclosure, is only one T5 strip sufficient.
2a.) And is T5 itself sufficient?? Do I need T8 instead?
3.) T5 strip placement: would you center the strip front to back? And would you mount the end of the strip flush with the enclosure side or a short distance a way (6" maybe)...does this really affect the coverage?
4.) And for this size enclosure, can you recommend a specific bulb (and fixture too!).
5.) Regarding the basking light (again, this will be on the left side): We currently have one of these in the existing enclosure:
View attachment 69673
But at 12" height, and mounting (hanging) inside, that doesn't leave a lot of room for adjustment.
Assuming a distance somewhere between 12" and 14" from light to BD, I'm wondering what fixture you would recommend.
Btw, I have my eye on this. I like the mount, but I would have to figure a dome... With this, we would adjust the height of the basking stone and not the lamp... Also, Pangea is sold out of these
View attachment 69674
6.) And if you can recommend a fixture (short enough to mount/hang inside) can you specify also a specific bulb.
7.) Finally, would another light (household bulb) be necessary on the cool side?

Thanks all for enduring so many questions! Again, I know all this will have been answered many times, but I think the dimensions of this specific build leave me with lingering concerns.

Cheers!

Beautiful tank set up--- I would do a 36" Pro T 5 Arcadia 12% or 14% bulb- the 14% bulb is going to require a 17-18 inch basking distance that is from the basking decor piece to the bulb - a 12% bulb would require a distance of 12-15 inch distance directly underneath the UVB --- your going to want a clear solid bright white basking bulb and that is going to be trial and error- all your temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - as far a regular house hold you can use that but you need to keep a eye on the temps on that side it should be in the 80's during the day - you want the middle of your tank in the 90's and surface basking temps for a baby 105-110 and juvie/ adult 95-100-- night time temps should be 65-75 -- for that I would get a heat emitter CHE if you need it and would be if your tank is dropping below 65 and if you have a sick dragon those work great -- The heat domes for basking you dont want any closer than 6" we often recommend 8" --

 

[blakemw65]

Beautiful tank set up--- I would do a 36" Pro T 5 Arcadia 12% or 14% bulb- the 14% bulb is going to require a 17-18 inch basking distance that is from the basking decor piece to the bulb - a 12% bulb would require a distance of 12-15 inch distance directly underneath the UVB --- your going to want a clear solid bright white basking bulb and that is going to be trial and error- all your temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - as far a regular house hold you can use that but you need to keep a eye on the temps on that side it should be in the 80's during the day - you want the middle of your tank in the 90's and surface basking temps for a baby 105-110 and juvie/ adult 95-100-- night time temps should be 65-75 -- for that I would get a heat emitter CHE if you need it and would be if your tank is dropping below 65 and if you have a sick dragon those work great -- The heat domes for basking you dont want any closer than 6" we often recommend 8" --

@KarrieRee Thank you! I have ordered the 36" Pro T 5 Arcadia 12%, and for the time being will use our existing dome fixture and bulb for the basking lamp.

I do have a remaining question about the placement of the T5 strip and basking lamp in relation to each other and the enclosure itself. Both of course will go on the hot side of the enclosure. But regarding placement:
1.) Keeping in mind the enclosure dimensions (24" x 24" X 60"), would you center the T5 strip front to back, or should it be closer to the back?
2.) And would you position the basking lamp right next to it or separated some? I am concerned that if our BD is basking directly under the basking lamp, the basking lamp dome would block out the UVB T5?

Just to make it visual, below is what I am planning, viewing the enclosure from overhead:

Is this appropriate? Should I reverse this—centering the basking lamp instead and install the UVB off-center? (I am concerned that because the 24" depth this might not provide even UVB coverage). Should I space the two fixtures further apart.

Thanks!

 

[KarrieRee]

@KarrieRee Thank you! I have ordered the 36" Pro T 5 Arcadia 12%, and for the time being will use our existing dome fixture and bulb for the basking lamp.

I do have a remaining question about the placement of the T5 strip and basking lamp in relation to each other and the enclosure itself. Both of course will go on the hot side of the enclosure. But regarding placement:
1.) Keeping in mind the enclosure dimensions (24" x 24" X 60"), would you center the T5 strip front to back, or should it be closer to the back?
2.) And would you position the basking lamp right next to it or separated some? I am concerned that if our BD is basking directly under the basking lamp, the basking lamp dome would block out the UVB T5?

Just to make it visual, below is what I am planning, viewing the enclosure from overhead:

View attachment 70183

Is this appropriate? Should I reverse this—centering the basking lamp instead and install the UVB off-center? (I am concerned that because the 24" depth this might not provide even UVB coverage). Should I space the two fixtures further apart.

Thanks!

It looks good -- hes going to get plenty of UVB as long as he can get directly under it - you want the distance of the basking decor for the UVB 12 - 15 inches and the basking bulb no closer than 6" inches