Final touches... almost ready

[Chengalang]

Finishing up the viv for my first beardie, hopefully I'll be able to get next week! Recently got the lights up and running. Basking area is good, temps are on point on the warm and cold side. One last thingI noticed for the lighting is the UVB seems kind of close. The box on the Reptisun 10.0 says not to have it within 6 inches and I also read on the forums that the beardie should be at least within 8 inches. I'm boarder-line touching the 6 inch mark and if my beardie climbs high enough he definitely will be within that range. I noticed some vivs pics that the beardie is basically within an inch of the UVB. Here's my setup, if anyone could comment on my how the UVB looks it would be real helpful!

 

[charmander16]

Looks too close to me. I'd put it on top of the screen. From the pics it looks like even on top of the screen it would be about 4 or 5 inches from the basking area.

Another option is to get a more powerful basking light and move the basking area down.

Those nets don't look too secure IMO. They are held up by suction cups, with will inevitably fail at some point, sending the lizard for a tumble. They do look like strong suction cups, but still. (Dunno, maybe I'm wrong).

 

[AHBD]

Very exciting time for you, waiting to get your new baby. Will it be a baby from a store or private breeder ? Set up looks pretty good, the large basking log is a great piece of furniture and I always like the naturalistic look.

The hammocks can be a problem if beardie snags his nails when he's older + heavier. Sometimes they can sprain their leg. You might consider a log thick branch instead that goes from one side of the tank to the other.

The uvb light situation is debatable....some say that having ot off to the side causes eye irritation because at the best basking spot it will shine directly in his eye. So it might be best to have it on top of the tank. He should still get plenty of uvb.

 

[Chengalang]

Thanks for the replies!! I went ahead moved the UVB more up (it was leaning foward) and from this distance there is no point where the beardie will be within 6 inches of the light. I don't want to put it on the screen top because I know the mesh top filters out too much UVB for my beardie to get enough. I've never heard about the eye irritation problem with the long UVB fluorescent as long as there is a basking area close, only the coil UVB bulbs but I'll look more into it. With the hammocks, these were the most used from I saw on the forums, also 5 star reviewed with a lot of feedback from beardie owners saying the loose material doesn't let the legs and toes to get caught. The suction cups too are very strong if you follow the proper directions. My dragon is coming from a private breeder :wink:

 

[Chengalang]

Updated the tank by lifting the light a little higher and lowering everything else. The closest the beardie can get is roughly 8 inches.

:lol: excuse the dirty glass