Hi!! Very serious question - how do I expose the UVB bulb in the standard 40-gallon starter kit by Zoomed? It is a mesh right now so the UVB isn't directly hitting my bearded dragons, and I am wondering if that is affecting their eating patterns. Thank you,
It's true that improper UVB will effect eating and behavior.
The starter kit with that small UVB bulb is not enough UVB for a bearded dragon. It's sadly a dishonest practice that they put on pictures of bearded dragons and say here is your starter kit. A Reptisun T5 HO (high output of 10% UVB) with reflector that spans most of the length on top of the screen should be enough UVB. It's a lot stronger, so the 30% reduction from the mesh is countered by the strong T5 bulb, a similar T8 bulb must be under the mesh. T5 is the skinnier than the T8 and it's a newer technology bulb.
You'll also want to know that a bigger enclosure for when your dragon grows up will also be better for them to move around, exercise, be comfortable. So when you get a longer UVB tube light think about how getting a decent size can be reused later for an adequate adult sized enclosure.
Reptisun 10.0 are the high output ones, so far left or right.
This is the reflector hood, the reflector helps direct more UVB down into the enclosure! Sometimes it comes with a free 5.0 bulb, but that's half the output and not enough for a bearded dragon. Bearded Dragon needs high output UVB
You could leave one side of the dual empty. Each side has its own lamp cord from what I recall. So leave one side off!
I just saw your other posts. You have two dragons? They should each get their own enclosure and lights.