Lighting help?!

[haileytaco]

Hello,

I have two female 8 month old rankins Dragons who were in a 10 gallon as they were quite small. I believe that one girl, Sami, has begun to get MBD because I was using a coil UVB light. I immediately ordered the Arcadia t5 12% UVB tube in hopes to stop and possible correct the spinal damage from the MBD. I also switched them to the 20 gallon long tank that I already had (for when they got bigger) to accomadate for the long UVB tube.

As the pictures show, it does not fit as well as I had planned, any suggestions on how to fit the new UVB tube?

Thanks,
Hailey

 

[CooperDragon]

Given the strong output, it's probably fine the way you have it. I would suggest adding a half log or other kind of hide/shade area to allow for self regulation of the UVB. With that bulb I just measured a UVI of 3.5 at 12'' up through a screen top for a 20g long. This is pretty good for basking but they may want to hide from it sometimes.

 

[haileytaco]

That's a good idea! I will definitely add a hide for them but that is very reassuring that it has a strong output through the screen. Would it be too much UVB if I mounted it to the back wall inside the 20 gal? I will be going on vacation and don't want the pet sitter to have to deal with the lights (bumping them, not burning something with them, etc.). I am already getting a hang man style stand for the basking bulb but I'm not sure what to do with the UVB tube.

 

[CooperDragon]

At that distance the bulb would be too powerful to be inside. You'll want the UVI to be around 3-5 in the basking spot which you have. You may be able to use the clips on the top of the fixture to hang it from something. Maybe a couple of lamp stands or something like that. I'd just write out a detailed explanation of the lighting and importance of leaving them in the same spot etc. That should be enough to prevent an issue.

 

[Taterbug]

Might be worth having more shade than just a half log.

Google pvc grow light stand for some ideas for suspending it.