Is he too close to uvb???

[Heroicchip]

I recently built him a new basking platform and he seems to enjoy it very much! His previous platform was very small and was given to me by his previous owners. Also on a forum I asked if the old uvb was big enough for him which people said it wasn’t “t8 5.0 18 inch mounted over screen top” and since then I upgraded to a reptisun 10.0 24 inch “month ago” and mounted it on the inside like people suggested. Only problem is the tank height is 12” and the lid has these stupid dividers going from side to side top to bottom. So I can’t really mount the light on top of the cage since it wouldn’t sit flush. I know this could possibly cause eye problems but unsure if this is a safe setup. I do have the old one but if I was to put it on top I couldn’t put it over the basking area. Ugh. Plus I spent money and time making sure it was inside the cage like people said. Is there any way I can fix this issue ? I know if the lights are bright enough it will block some of the uv exposure but unsure how much. Can somebody clarify. Thank you

 

[Gormagon]

In all honesty, it is a bit to close. 6 to 8 inches distance is optimum with a t8 long tube type bulb. 12" is a tad short for an adult dragon, they love to climb and, it is quite cramped for him in there. The bare minimum space for an adult is a 40gl breeder tank and optimum is 4'L x 2'W x 2"T. He will be miserable in that small tank. It is actually meant for snakes.
I am a firm believer in a comfortable dragon is a happy dragon!

 

[Heroicchip]

In all honesty, it is a bit to close. 6 to 8 inches distance is optimum with a t8 long tube type bulb. 12" is a tad short for an adult dragon, they love to climb and, it is quite cramped for him in there. The bare minimum space for an adult is a 40gl breeder tank and optimum is 4'L x 2'W x 2"T. He will be miserable in that small tank. It is actually meant for snakes.
I am a firm believer in a comfortable dragon is a happy dragon!

I appreciate the honesty. His tank is a 40 gallon breeder, but I do understand what you’re saying. I bought it from the previous owner and I do plan on getting a new one as I get more money. But til then I need to know if it’s fine

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah 6-8'' is optimal for a T8 when it's used with a reflector. Don't want it mounted further than that. I would upgrade to a 22'' T5 ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia 12% when you can though. They can sit right on top of the tank although those Exo Terras have a really fine mesh top that intercepts quite a bit of UVB. I leave the top off of mine and suspend the lights from adjustable lamp stands and the UVB fixture sits across the top between one side and a cross piece over the middle. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

 

[Heroicchip]

Thank you I’ll definitely change it out ASAP. But until then is where it’s at fine? Will it cause any serious harm

 

[CooperDragon]

I think it's OK for now. He has easy access to areas away from it so he can move if it's bugging him.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Too close if he can touch the tube , and needs to mounted nearer the centerline of the tank and directed DOWN not OUT.
If a good brand (ie Arcadia, Zoo Med or Exo Terra) you will not have eye issues even under 4 inches from a 12%UVB T8 or T5HO as in the wild in their natural range bearded dragons are exposed to much higher levels of UV than are produced by UV globes designed specially for reptiles see : viewtopic.php?f=6&t=234801&p=1806497#p1806497 (curve for Alice Springs in particular, peaks just under 500 microW UVB / sq.cm in their natural range).
Even at 4 inches away the UVB is not going to exceed 500 microW UVB / sq.cm for a 10%UVB t5ho tube with a reflector hood behind it. Remove the reflector and this is dropped by half.
A t8 10%UVB tube with a reflector will produce about 200-220 microW UVB / sq.cm at 4 inches.
See viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611

Cable ties poked through the mesh will hold the hood in position no problem.