Enclosure check/feedback please

[MarleyAndLennon]

*Im attaching photos of our set up from multiple angles to give a clear picture*
Looking for feedback on our enclosure since our little one isn’t doing as well as I would like. Trying to go down the list and make sure our temps/set up is good.
*all temps are checked multiple times a day with temp gun, temps are taken on enclosure floor for the purpose of this post, during the day I take the temps where she is (on hammock/on carpet/on log etc). We had her tall hut in the corner originally but after reading other posts I did not think she was basking close enough to UVB so we have the current set up as seen in the photos where 1/2 of the top of her hut is under UVB directly, other part is her basking area. I’ve seen her bask for a while then move to UVB side so I think she’s fully utilizing the area on top of her hut…
Tank: 40 gallon
UVB: 18” zilla slimline desert fixture (with reflector, no shield) under mounted. Sits about 7” from basking area
Basking: 100 watt dome light, sits on top of metal mesh lid (the type with big holes). Basking area is between 100-110)
Humidity: during the day is sits between 35-45% (dehumidifier in the room she’s in) but I struggle to keep it below 50% at night - suggestions?
Temps as I’m writing this:
Cool side (on floor) 78
Middle (on floor) 86
Hot (on floor) 92
Basking spot : 108

Are we doing anything wrong? Does anything need to be tweaked/changed? I’m so worried this isn’t ideal for her but after reading a bunch of other threads I *think* this is good? Please help

 

[Rubble1212]

At some point it would be a good idea to invest in a t5 fixture and a Arcadia t5 12% but right now the only thing I would do is make sure has a spot directly underneath the center of the t8 a little closer maybe 6 inches to the surface of basking area. Do you know how old your t8 reptisun is? From test results they loose uvb output very quickly and I would change them every 4-5 months. But if your bulb is newer you could save up and buy a t5 fixture and bulb ?

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit 24"

Only 69.95$ for both t5 bulb and the fixture.

 

[MarleyAndLennon]

At some point it would be a good idea to invest in a t5 fixture and a Arcadia t5 12% but right now the only thing I would do is make sure has a spot directly underneath the center of the t8 a little closer maybe 6 inches to the surface of basking area. Do you know how old your t8 reptisun is? From test results they loose uvb output very quickly and I would change them every 4-5 months. But if your bulb is newer you could save up and buy a t5 fixture and bulb ?

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit 24"

Only 69.95$ for both t5 bulb and the fixture.

 

[MarleyAndLennon]

Thanks for replying! Our T8 was purchased in January. If we go the T5 Arcadia & 12% output will that go on top of the mesh lid? From my understanding, T5’s go over the mesh but T8’s go under- am I correct in this? We went with the Reptisun 10.0 T8 because it sounded like that was a safe choice. Trying to get this lighting perfect is so overwhelming. So, she would be okay getting less than 7” from the T8 right now? I’m so worried about damaging her eyes.

 

[Rubble1212]

Yes she can get a little closer. I know the lighting is very overwhelming lol. But once you get it setup it’s much simpler. And yes t5 can go over mesh or underneath. I’ve got both my Arcadia t5’s mounted on the ceiling of my melamine vivs about 12 inches from the basking surface. If you mount them over the mesh depending on the type of mesh it can block 30-40% of the uvb so you’d be about the same distance from the basking surface you have now with your t8 maybe 8 inches or so. As long as the uvb is overhead her eyes will be fine.

 

[MarleyAndLennon]

Yes she can get a little closer. I know the lighting is very overwhelming lol. But once you get it setup it’s much simpler. And yes t5 can go over mesh or underneath. I’ve got both my Arcadia t5’s mounted on the ceiling of my melamine vivs about 12 inches from the basking surface. If you mount them over the mesh depending on the type of mesh it can block 30-40% of the uvb so you’d be about the same distance from the basking surface you have now with your t8 maybe 8 inches or so. As long as the uvb is overhead her eyes will be fine.

Asking for more feedback!
I purchased her the Arcadia ProT5 UVB kit 12% 24 watt. Currently having it diagonally across our wide hole mesh lid which puts it at 9” directly over her basking spot. I know mesh decreases UVB but since this is a stronger bulb should I leave it on top of the mesh lid or under mounted it? If it’s mounted inside and directly above basking she would be about 7-8” away (which, if I’m reading correctly, is too close for her). What should my light set up be? How am I setting up these lights AND basking decor to keep her at safe/healthy UVB levels but also making sure her basking spot hits 100-110? Also, thank you in advance for replying, I’m so needy when it comes to this dragon .

 

[Rubble1212]

With your wider mesh I think the distance you have now and the way you run it at diagonal is exactly the way I run mine it creates a triangle where you put the basking bulb and then the other triangle on the cool side is another area you can build some decor up to about the same distance as your basking spot and then he can get uvb with lower heat which my guy likes in the early morning. The way you have it setup is perfect and your dragon can utilize both sides of the t5 and not just one side if it’s mounted on the back or front. Stop worrying and enjoy your dragon lol which is hard to do I know

 

[MarleyAndLennon]

I will never stop worrying about this dragon She was supposed to be my 13 year olds but once we adopted her and she ended up not really thriving I’ve become her main caretaker and have fallen absolutely in love with her. Isn’t that always how it happens? Thank you SO much for replying and putting my mind at ease, I just want the very best for her so I’ve been obsessively reading/researching but with all the different opinions out there it’s just so hard to filter through the good info. I appreciate you!!

 

[Rubble1212]

No worries I to am now the same way we got my son a dragon and he has become an obsession over the years and cost a small fortune investing in the best lighting and building a custom cage! I love reptiles in general but dragon’s are my favorites I also keep blue tongue skinks there awesome to may be your next pet lol. You have the very best lighting in my opinion that’s available and the way your basking decor slopes up like that he can get 9 inches away at the very top and then work his way down if he doesn’t want that much uvb. Make sure to setup a rock branch decor of some kind so he can get about 9-12 inches or so on the cool side directly underneath the t5. My guy goes to this spot every morning for an hour or so then makes his way to the heat.