Article on Light and Shade method via Arcadia

[Jaskotch]

Just thought I'd post a link to an article from UK's Practical Reptile Keeping magazine that discusses the Light and Shade method:

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/004_PRK_Mar13.pdf

 

[RuselBro]

I completely understand that, and already being around reptile's from birth already knew that frow seeing it in nature, and I have that in my Beardie Enclosure.

BUT is seem's like People with 40G Breeder's with an Adult in there, the Light & Shade method wouldn't really work, that leave's an Adult Beardie so Little room to just free roam under the heat.

I mean in a 4 foot Long Enclosure the Light & Shade method Work's, My Beardie has a Full 12 inche's of shad on the Heat end, and then Multiple Shades spot's all through the Enclosure, and he does use every one of them.

But idk, just seem's like in a 36 inch long enclosure, it just doesn't "give the Beardie enough room to roam under the Sun" I guess.

 

[Jaskotch]

Have you posted a pic on here of your set up? If not, it would be nice to see how you (and anybody else, for that matter) have implemented the approach in your vivarium. Maybe some folks with smaller viv's will chime in, too.......

 

[RuselBro]

I wish, all I have is my Netbook and Picture's will come out horrible on it, I have to wait for a decent Cell or Camera to be around.

 

[hotpocketdeath]

There are still some unanswered questions that aren't really covered in the article.

The way it talks is like they are using nothing but UVB source lighting only. My vivarium is different. I will have a UVB light on the right side, but a standard Flourecent bulb on the left side. I have 100% light coverage, but the UVB light only covers 50% of that and the basking spot is the closest my BD will be able to get to that light.

I may write an email to the writer of the article and get his opinion.

 

[RuselBro]

Yes, but trying to make the Lighting as Natural as Possible mean's they need a Place they will actually use to get in the Shade, away from All Light, But for example : just because you have a Half log Hide, ect. and you Beardie never actually goes under it, mean's the beardie is getting No Shade away from all light. In the Wild, the Hide Between Rock's, Under Bushes, Stump's ect.

 

[hotpocketdeath]

Yes, but trying to make the Lighting as Natural as Possible mean's they need a Place they will actually use to get in the Shade, away from All Light, But for example : just because you have a Half log Hide, ect. and you Beardie never actually goes under it, mean's the beardie is getting No Shade away from all light. In the Wild, the Hide Between Rock's, Under Bushes, Stump's ect.

I didn't mention it in my previous post, but my BD will have multiple shade areas. He will have a spot under his basking spot, there will be a ledge coming off the back wall, and he will have a cave I made for him that should offer plenty of options for him.

But some of the reading I have been doing has shown it's the UVB light they need to be able to get away from if they need to. Like I said, I'm going to try and write a letter to the Author and get his opinion on the subject.

Edit: I may go ahead and move my lighting. Each bulb is independent of the other when mounting, So I can put them anywhere I choose.

 

[Jaskotch]

With multiple shade areas, you are achieving what the article is describing. [IMO, I should add! Don't by any means let my post dissuade you from dropping the author of the article a note ]
The idea is that the dragon can get out of the sun and into the shade. In nature of course the source of visible light and UVB rays and heat is the same big star! Even tho you have (at least currently) your 6500K bulb opposite the UVB bulb, presumeably you're going to have your basking bulb on the same side as the UVB. So that'll be the hot side, and the cool side will be where the 6500K bulb is and brightly lit, to be sure, but it will still be the cool side- and having some shade there is all they're sayin' [IMO].
Have you seen Arcadia's chart for beardies?
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/guide-bearded-dragon.jpg
This shows conceptually what the article is describing. The basking bulb and the UVB are on one side, then there's a spot light which is kind of to the left of middle, and is not really lighting up the right side, which is shade. That's probably the simplest way to visualize the idea... however, not the only way to achieve it. With landscaping to provide shade areas on that "cool" side, you get the same thing. know what I mean?