Darwin

[NickAVD]

Darwin had a pretty good visit from Santa this year. I removed the tile from his enclosure and replaced it with shelf liner since his nails don't grow. He doesn't really use his enclosure except to sleep, but I figured it wouldn't hurt. Gave me an excuse to deep clean the whole thing anyway.

He got a container of hornworms and some BSFL too. The BSFL got delayed in transit so I wound up throwing a bunch of them out since they were mushy and stinky. Was able to save the rest though. Hornworms are fine and growing to edible size now. He also got a hand knit blanket =)

For lighting he got a replacement lamp stand as well as a 100w PowerSun (mostly so I can test it's output) and the european Arcadia 100w MVB with a step up converter which is his new kitchen light. I haven't done much testing yet, but initial observation is that UVB output from both of them is strong with a nice wide beam from both of them. The PowerSun isn't as bright as the Arcadia or MegaRay. It puts out a nice spread of heat though. The Arcadia is incredibly powerful in terms of UVB output, but it doesn't produce much heat. It doesn't get the basking surface warm enough on it's own without putting it close enough to produce 14UVI which is ovbiously no go. I'll wind up installing a second lamp next to it for him, but will wait a few weeks to see how it goes after burn-in. He seems to enjoy basking under all of them so far. I'll have some time to do more detailed output testing soon, which will give UVI and temperature details for the PowerSun and Arcadia MVBs.

You have done a great job choosing a MVB lamp!
Can you advise who lamp is better to chose?
I have a basking place in my room and my beardie uses it, but now a Deep Heat Arcadia (80W) is installed there, so I would like to buy MVB and he can spend more time outside the terrarium.
I was planning to buy Arcadia D3 Basking lamp (100W), but after reading your review about insufficient heat at high UVB, I decided to ask you for advice first.

 

[NickAVD]

UPDATE:
I bought Arcadia D3 UV Basking Lamp (160W) and had a chance to try it with UVB meter.
As a result, I have 150uW/cm2 at a distance of 18" from the basking zone. In this case, the temperature in the basking zone does not exceed 81F. If I lower the lamp to a distance of 16", then the level of UVB is too big - 215uW/cm2, but the temperature is still low.
I am very pleased with the level of UVB at a distance of 18", but I do not know how to increase the temperature.
Right now I see 3 ways:
- lower the lamp and get too much UVB (I think it is not good idea)
- add a deep heating lamp
- add the mesh lid on the light dome that will delay part of the UVB (and then lower the lamp)
What did you do with your 100w bulb?

 

[xp29]

You could give a perch with a couple different heights and your dragon will choose where he's happy.

 

[NickAVD]

You could give a perch with a couple different heights and your dragon will choose where he's happy.

Today I tried to make a mountain out of everything I had at the moment.
Foxy climbed to the very top (this is 12") and it seems that he is not going to go down and change his position.
I measured UVB - 320-330uW/cm2. The color in the photo goes crazy with this UVB
I think something needs to be changed. What is your opinion?

 

[xp29]

I would let him stay that close, he should move on his own if the exposure gets to high

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree. Since the lighting in an open room allows them to move about much more easily, there is a lot more flexibility regarding temps and UVB exposure. I've also found it helpful to set up a plain basking light near the MVB. That way they can just bask under heat if they want to. Darwin seems to enjoy just the incandescent bulb heat someitmes rather than the MVB and moves back and forth as he wishes.

 

[NickAVD]

I agree. Since the lighting in an open room allows them to move about much more easily, there is a lot more flexibility regarding temps and UVB exposure. I've also found it helpful to set up a plain basking light near the MVB. That way they can just bask under heat if they want to. Darwin seems to enjoy just the incandescent bulb heat someitmes rather than the MVB and moves back and forth as he wishes.

I think I have found a solution to this problem.
I installed the lamp inside the Arcadia Ceramic Reflector Clamp Lamp (RARM160X), which is recommended by Arcadia for MVB 160W.
It has a mesh that reduces UVB radiation and transmits heat well. The UVB level is now 170 µW/cm2 at temperature is 99F.
Everything turned out to be simple - it was necessary to take the recommended dome.
PS: After UV basking Foxy loves to go down and eat his salad. This is a big win!

 

[xp29]

I'm glad you got it worked out, time outside their enclosure is great enrichment for them.

 

[NickAVD]

I'm glad you got it worked out, time outside their enclosure is great enrichment for them.

Thank you!
Yes, now I don't have to put another lamp for heating.
And You are absolutely right! All the dragons are very freedom-loving and they just need to walk and explore everything around. This whole thread is dedicated to this very fact!
And so that they do not cold as could be, a big man should help them and make a basking zone!