Is this uvb okay?

[Valerie_]

So I recently got a UVB for my bearded dragon he’s eight months old and his enclosure is Zen habitats PVC panel 48x24x16. The UVB that I got him is: reptisum T5 HO with a 5.0 UVB and it’s 30”.
Here is the link of the UVB I got him

ReptiSun® T5 HO Terrarium Hood | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

zoomed.com

I just want to know if that one is okay for him

 

[CooperDragon]

That's a good fixture that is designed to sit flat along the top of the enclosure. It can be hung/suspended but it doesn't come with clips so it can take some creativity if you need to hang it.

As far as the bulb goes, you'll probably want to swap that with either a ReptiSun 10 or Arcadia 12% (either brand will work as long as you get the correct length (22'' T5 for that one I believe). It should sit about 12-14'' above the main basking area for best output. The 5.0 bulb that comes with the fixture is lower powered and has optimal output at about 6-8'' between bulb and main basking area.

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

If you are placing the fixture on top of the screen, the 5.0 bulb that comes with it will not work and you will definitely need to replace it with one that CopperDragon recommended. In that case, distance should be 8-10" from the basking spot.

 

[Valerie_]

If you are placing the fixture on top of the screen, the 5.0 bulb that comes with it will not work and you will definitely need to replace it with one that CopperDragon recommended. In that case, distance should be 8-10" from the basking spot.

The uvb light is about 16 inches away from the bottom of the tank , will the 10.0 bulb work? Or will the 5.0 bulb be fine ?

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

The uvb light is about 18 inches away, will the 10.0 bulb work?

The 10.0 bulb should be 12-15" if unobstructed (under the screen/no screen) or 8-10" if on top of the screen. 18" is fine to the floor but he should have something he can climb and get closer, like a branch or a hammock or cave decor or something. A cave is good because it gives him somewhere to hide and get out of the light completely if he needs to. There should be options closer and further away so that he can pick where he needs to be. They are really good at regulating themselves as long as they have the option.

 

[Valerie_]

The 10.0 bulb should be 12-15" if unobstructed (under the screen/no screen) or 8-10" if on top of the screen. 18" is fine to the floor but he should have something he can climb and get closer, like a branch or a hammock or cave decor or something. A cave is good because it gives him somewhere to hide and get out of the light completely if he needs to. There should be options closer and further away so that he can pick where he needs to be. They are really good at regulating themselves as long as they have the option.

Alright thank you