Ive made a compromise and decided to get a 24in T5 UV florescent light along with the Mercury Vapour light. The T5 is going to be a 5.0 UV because the Mercury Vapour light already puts out a ton of UV. I am using my old halogen lamp for the middle of the cage, which is cooler than under the MV. I've decided against any light on the cool side, there should be enough ambient light so it doesn't look dreary.
I have already moved all my lizards into the larger 40 gallon and am using kitchen towels until the proper reptile matting arrives. It is such a pleasure to wake up in the morning and look in the water dish and find its as crystal clear as it was when I first added it...instead of it looking like quicksand.
as I mentioned before, I am not really on a budget but I wanted to stay practical. I searched online and found a T5 holder that was a more reasonable price than the so-called reptile branded holders were costing.
Actually, Amazon was my first stop, and those darn T5 fixtures were like 70USD. Those ridiculous prices makes me never want to do business with those specialty reptile companies. Especially since theres little difference between what they are offering and a standard high output T5 fixture. Mind you, I am talking about the holder and not the lamp itself.
What kind of substrate would be apropriate for the bottom of the cage? I was wondering if I can get some astroturf from the hardware store, which is a lot cheaper and made of the same materials than the specialty reptile carpet, and also looks a lot more full and lush.
Textured non adhesive shelf liner --- from Home Depot Lowes etc local home improvement store -- easy to clean w/ vinegar/ water 50/50 in a spray bottle and insects cant get underneath
Karrie
I personally like slightly textured tile over repticarpet alternatives. Easy to clean and you can pick a tile color that you like. I usually go with a dirt or earth tone. But the stone rock tones look good imo too.
I've got no experience with astro turf so can't help you much there.
I saw that one, but it doesn't appear that the reflector is long enough to prop up entire device and prevent the tube touching the wire mesh cover. I wish there were better pictures of it. You seem to have experience with it and perhaps you can confirm.
You're right it cant be placed that way, it would have to be mounted to the tank, or hung from the mesh.
My tanks are custom built so its convenient for me they just mount to the topside of the tank. But I've seen people use zip ties or wires to mount it to the underside of the mesh screen.
Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB T5 HO Lamp, 24 Watts, 22in
They are on their way this very moment. Notice the reflector on that fixture extends beyond the tube boundary, so it can be placed on top of the screen cover.
All the lamps and holders have arrived and are installed in the terrarium. It is now so bright that my room doesn't even require any supplemental light source! I checked all the temperatures and there is a nice gradient going on with the hottest area (near the MVB) ~101F and the coolest ~79F (Near the feeding dish). It was really odd. NONE of the pet shoppes around my area carried the 22in Reptisun T5 tube lamp, so I had to order it online. It appears I purchased the wrong one because I expected it to be a 5.0 bulb when it clearly reads "10.0 UVB". Not the end of the world, since the screen blocks a some UVB anyway.
This is going to be my final post to this thread, because I believe I have adequately introduced myself and my newly acquired bearded dragon. I will answer any questions posted to me in here, of course! If I have any other conserns, I will open a new thread in the appropriate section.
Welp everything looks good! I thought you ended up buying a bearded dragon too though? Is that the original lizard you had in that pic?
EDIT: Oh I see, they are both in the tank.