Crossfire lighting options

[OxBox]

Putting together my list for the enclosure upgrade from the current 40B and am curious on two things around lighting:

Should I stick with a shorter reptisun 10.0 T5HO bulb say 2' over a long one for the tank to allow some gradient? And are the quality differences in the bulb lengths from reptisun?

I've seen setups with the small halogen bulbs vs larger basking bulbs. Are these adequate for basking and their use being dependent on height/temp (seems to be in smaller enclosures height wise)? I'd like to have a smaller light foot print in the enclosure vs reusing my large clamp light or would a CHE be a better option to bask plus a larger UVB bulb? Temperature wise at night the 40B hasn't dropped below 70 with the temp in the low teens the last week but I have monitoring of it.

I'm debating getting a T5HO reflector from one of my aquarium supplies and wiring one of my spare ballasts that can run T5s properly or buying one of the sun-blasters. Too many choices as always.

Thanks!

Ox aka Will

Ps-I typed this on my phone and tried to make sure spacing and spelling were good but apologize for any errors.

 

[CooperDragon]

For UVB a T5 is the way to go. With a reflector it should sit about 12'' above the basking area for best output. The 2' tube will be plenty. It's enough to provide a nice wide spread of UVB over the basking area while allowing a gradient to low UVB areas (shade) as you mentioned.

As far as basking lights go, I like to provide a nice wide beam of light and heat to allow for even basking. A PAR38 halogen seems to have a pretty nice wide beam if it's mounted high enough (Again, about 12'' or more is ideal. If you use smaller lights you may want to cluster multiples together to create a basking zone that is at least the length of your dragon. That may come down to trying some different configurations and measuring the temp outputs.

 

[OxBox]

Thanks!

The 12"is it from the mount or from the bottom of the bulb? Assuming the latter but wanted to make sure.

 

[OxBox]

See any issues going 36" UVB? Looking at Amazon for the nanoblasters the 36" is cheaper and in stock for prime so I could have it this weekend along with the bulb.

Have you see the Carolina Custom Cages fixtures? I only ask b/c I'm just over the border from Charlotte where they are located. My guess is an aquarium fixture.

Off to spend some time with Sahara-been gone for four days. She was happy for fresh crickets too.

 

[CooperDragon]

12'' from the bulb to the basking surface. If it's in a range of about 10-14'' that's fine too. I like having the 22'' because that allows some areas of shade. If you go with the 36 you can cover some of the bulb with plastic to block UVB over part of the tank or increase shade areas around the tank and move the bulb forward or toward the rear of the tank to create a gradient going away from the bulb. It's best to provide as much option as you can regarding both heat and UVB exposure.

 

[OxBox]

12'' from the bulb to the basking surface. If it's in a range of about 10-14'' that's fine too. I like having the 22'' because that allows some areas of shade. If you go with the 36 you can cover some of the bulb with plastic to block UVB over part of the tank or increase shade areas around the tank and move the bulb forward or toward the rear of the tank to create a gradient going away from the bulb. It's best to provide as much option as you can regarding both heat and UVB exposure.

Thanks for clarifying. I was thinking about a diagonal bulb layout for shade/options but the layout/options will change it all. FWIW now I never see her hiding but I just have a power compact 10.0UVB (more I read the more I wanted the new setup). Her current tank has a hiding spot though I may just wait for the crossfire to be finished before the new bulb.

Off to make her salad-funny how I have fresh foods for her and barely any for me lol.

 

[CooperDragon]

Off to make her salad-funny how I have fresh foods for her and barely any for me lol.

Yeah I hear that. My guys eat MUCH more healthy foods than I do. So do my roaches for that matter!

 

[SHBailey]

Me too. My bearded dragon gets healthier food than I do. Must be an occupational hazard for beardie slaves :roll: