How's this for my enclosure? Getting a dragon in a while and I'm getting this stuff:
I'm going to build a 75 gallon vivarium. (18"L x 48"W x 21"H) It's probably too large for the dragon as a child, so I plan to partition it with cardboard or something. UVB light: Arcadia D3+ T-5 24 Inch 24 Watt - hooked to the underside of the screen top or the back wall (should I get a longer one since my tank is double the size?)
Ceramic tiling
Fluker's ceramic heat emitter with fluker's clamp lamp
Etekcity temp gun and 2 digital thermometers for the cool/hot side This basking light. I'll try out different watts depending on the temperature.
That tank setup sounds very good. The Arcadia D3 12% T5 tube bulb is great. Technically, the UVB only needs to take up 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of the tank so taking up 1/2 of the tank length will be fine.
How close is the Arcadia bulb going to be from him, since you are mounting it underneath of the screen? Does your fixture have a reflector also? I would say 10 inches distance wise is safe, with a reflector but no closer. The basking light is good also, though 50 watts might not get the basking temperatures up quite enough, but you can tweak that with a higher wattage if needed as you are planning on doing.
What are you using for a tank liner/substrate?
Be sure to post pictures on your tank as you are getting it all finished up.
When do you anticipate getting your new baby?
That tank setup sounds very good. The Arcadia D3 12% T5 tube bulb is great. Technically, the UVB only needs to take up 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of the tank so taking up 1/2 of the tank length will be fine.
How close is the Arcadia bulb going to be from him, since you are mounting it underneath of the screen? Does your fixture have a reflector also? I would say 10 inches distance wise is safe, with a reflector but no closer. The basking light is good also, though 50 watts might not get the basking temperatures up quite enough, but you can tweak that with a higher wattage if needed as you are planning on doing.
What are you using for a tank liner/substrate?
Be sure to post pictures on your tank as you are getting it all finished up.
When do you anticipate getting your new baby?
About the UVB distance, I thought it only needed to be that close to where the basking spot is? I was going to have a little platform there so the dragon would be in range of both lights, about 10 inches, as you said. I was considering making the vivarium a bit shorter though, maybe 18 inches, which would make the gap be about 15-16 inches to the floor.
I don't think my fixture has a reflector. This is the fixture. I'm not familiar with reflectors, what's the purpose of them and where can I get a fixture with one?
The tank liner is probably just going to be some paper towels.
I'm getting the baby in a year. This gives me time to do lots of research! I'm taking a trip across the country and will get them when I return.
If you have the space and resources I would make the cage larger, defiantly no smaller. Dragons are semi-arboreal and good climbers given practice.
UV of half the length is fine, the T5 are pretty strong and right under it at 10-12" is like strong mid morning sun. Having it higher up and over less cage means the dragon can choose how much exposure and that the exposure is in line with the heat. The warm area and uv area should be at least as big as the dragon is.
If you have the space and resources I would make the cage larger, defiantly no smaller. Dragons are semi-arboreal and good climbers given practice.
UV of half the length is fine, the T5 are pretty strong and right under it at 10-12" is like strong mid morning sun. Having it higher up and over less cage means the dragon can choose how much exposure and that the exposure is in line with the heat. The warm area and uv area should be at least as big as the dragon is.
I have found that a 75W equivalent (which is actually 53W) is plenty to keep my temperatures up in my 48"x24"x31" enclosure, but my enclosure is made of wood which insulates quite a bit better than glass. You should purchase a couple of different wattages and get them set up and take your temps. Then make adjustments as needed. Having multiple wattages will also help to account for seasonal changes as a higher wattage bulb may be needed in winter versus summer.
I have found that a 75W equivalent (which is actually 53W) is plenty to keep my temperatures up in my 48"x24"x31" enclosure, but my enclosure is made of wood which insulates quite a bit better than glass. You should purchase a couple of different wattages and get them set up and take your temps. Then make adjustments as needed. Having multiple wattages will also help to account for seasonal changes as a higher wattage bulb may be needed in winter versus summer.