Appropriate UVB Lighting

[NewBeardieGirl]

Hi everyone. I am a new juvenile bearded dragon owner. My dragon recently had a vet visit and I was told he has the beginnings of a calcium deficiency. One of the recommendations was to change his lighting. He previously only had a 75 watt baskong bulb. So, I upgraded his tank.

For his new set up I used the picture on this site to him with set up. I purchased a 18 in Reptisun 10.0 T8 UVB light (I mounted it inside the tank on the back wall). He also has a 100w zedmed basking bulb set up above the tank (w/o a mesh top). The T8 UVB is 6.8 inches from his basking spot. I want to make sure this is an appropriate set up because I have noticed him flaring up (which he's never done before). Any advice?

 

[NewBeardieGirl]

Here is my setup

 

[xp29]

Congrats on your new beardie and welcome to the forum.
My advice is to mount the light overhead. When they are mounted on the wall like that it can damage their eyes over time. Is the light a Zilla brand? The reason I ask is you said it's 18 inches. If it's zilla those have a plastic cover over the bulb, it's imperative to take that cover off. It blocks 100% of the uvb rendering the light useless.

 

[NewBeardieGirl]

Congrats on your new beardie and welcome to the forum.
My advice is to mount the light overhead. When they are mounted on the wall like that it can damage their eyes over time. Is the light a Zilla brand? The reason I ask is you said it's 18 inches. If it's zilla those have a plastic cover over the bulb, it's imperative to take that cover off. It blocks 100% of the uvb rendering the light useless.

Thank you for replying. The brand is Reptisun. Any recommendations on how to mount it overhead and not block the basking bulb?

I also checked and there is no cover on the bulb

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for replying. The brand is Reptisun. Any recommendations on how to mount it overhead and not block the basking bulb?

I also checked and there is no cover on the bulb

You can use 3M Velcro fasteners --- fishing line-- long plastic zip ties or picture wire hangers - I recommend those - they are bendable

 

[NewBeardieGirl]

You can use 3M Velcro fasteners --- fishing line-- long plastic zip ties or picture wire hangers - I recommend those - they are bendable

Thanks! I just got some 3M Velcro fasteners. I will try them and see how it works out

 

[xp29]

I like the picture wire personally, you can twist it together and know it won't fall

 

[NewBeardieGirl]

I like the picture wire personally, you can twist it together and know it won't fall

This is my new set up

 

[xp29]

That looks much better. Your habitat looks good over all to

 

[NewBeardieGirl]

That looks much better. Your habitat looks good over all to

Thanks for all your help!