So, we decided to build an enclosure. And by we, I mean my husband lol. He wanted to do most of the work. Since we have limited space we decided on a multilevel one, which will separate our two juvenile beardies, finally.
Measurements are 37"(W) x 24"(D)x 16"(H)
I do have a question or two about lighting, mostly for the baking. We installed T8 under cabinet fixtures because we couldn't find T5s except for online and these were discounted which helped our budget, lol. I'm ordering the bulbs for those today. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-t-8-euro-range-10-18-inch-bulb-15-watt-super-sale/ these are okay, right? PetCo usually has the reptisun 10.5, but I hadn't seen them the last time we went.
I'm just having a problem find the right bulbs for heating/basking. I'm not sure if there are other linear bulbs that give off enough heat for them. And other basking lights I've come across seem too bulky. It's a little harder with the multilevel because at least at the top, we'd be able to mount a fixture through the ceiling of the enclosure, but I'm not sure how it would work for the rest. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'm open to them!
The bulb is just a reflection.
This is how we decided to install the T8s. Just a cleaner look.
We still need proper decorations lol
And floors. We're actually floor installers and we've gotten rid of so much stuff that we could actually use right now. I'm hoping we get vinyl planks, they're waterproof, easy to clean and to remove if needed.
as far as the uv light goes it should really span the entire length of the enclosure side to side not front to back (it is hard to tell which way it is in the pics)
and for the basking lamp you can mount any fixture you want to in there you just want to make sure that anything used for climbing and such are not too close for them to burn them selves (a standard flood light socket from the hardware store will work as long as you are not using ceramic heat emitters)
I think in your situation I would find a basking fixture that I could mount to the side of the enclosure at the top with a swivel arm for positioning. You could mount it as high up on the side as possible and use the swivel arm to position it so that it is pointing down at an angle.
If you attach a fixture to the top and then it points straight down, your dragon will not be able to get close enough to the UVB lighting.
as far as the uv light goes it should really span the entire length of the enclosure side to side not front to back (it is hard to tell which way it is in the pics)
^^ I agree. I would prefer it to span the length of the enclosure as well, but someone was being a bit stubborn on which way to install it. Aside from the lights, though, I do take these guys outside to get some sun a few days a week. For about an hour or so after work, longer periods over the weekends. Hopefully that counts for something.
I think in your situation I would find a basking fixture that I could mount to the side of the enclosure at the top with a swivel arm for positioning. You could mount it as high up on the side as possible and use the swivel arm to position it so that it is pointing down at an angle.
If you attach a fixture to the top and then it points straight down, your dragon will not be able to get close enough to the UVB lighting.