MVB for young dragons

[Hypancistrus]

Are MVB suitable for young dragons that are still small enough to be living in a 20 gallon? Or is that too much heat?

We are going to be getting our very first baby dragon after having adult rescues for years, and you'd think I'd be less nervous, but no-- second guessing everything!

Right now we have a 75 watt heat bulb and a UVB/UVA strip light on the viv. Heat gets to 110*F at the hottest point, with other basking spots in the lower 100's and high 90's on the same tree, so the little guy will be able to move to where he's most comfy.

I think it's all good, but now I'm wondering if MVB would be better? We've always just used heat lamps and UVA/B strips with our adults. Am I second guessing too much!??!?

 

[ziggy23]

MVB are not suitable for small tanks. They produce a much greater concentration of uv, so they require greater distances. For example a 100 watt megaray the minimum safe distance is 12". Meaning if they get closer than 12" they would receive an unsafe level of uv. It's generally recommended that the distance be a few inches more than the minimum so your not cutting it so close.

Unlike heat bulbs the correct wattage is based on distance from basking spot, the heat is just a bonus. So you might not get the temps you want. megarays are known to not provide basking temps for desert animals. The ones I had gave me about 95 degrees, so I had to use an additional heat bulb. You can't use a dimmer on mvb if they are too hot because it will also affect uv output as well.