STILL planning new enclosure...

[n1978]

Hey all. Since my last post I found some wonderful ceramic tile that mimics natural stone in appearance(a little bit smoother, but Benedict doesn't seem to mind) for the floor of Benny's tank and some 2x6 tumbled travertine tiles to build his new cave and other features out of.
Now I am figuring out what to do with the back and side glass and lighting.
I have questions, and I'm hoping the combined experience of this awesome forum can help me figure out answers:
My tank is deep(about 20"). I would prefer to mount the lights on top if possible(partially for aesthetics, partially for ease of access). I will be using two 14" uvb fluorescent bulbs(Reptimed 10.0 at this point) separated by the tank top divider that keeps the glass from flexing and a 150 watt basking bulb in a standard dome. Is it safe for my beardie to mount them that high up? I know the general rule is 8"-10". If I need to mount them lower, does anyone have any ideas how to accomplish that?
Being that the tank is glass, I am trying to figure out how to put a visually interesting background on it. I would prefer to not permanently attach anything(with glue, etc) so that I can remove and clean it. I am considering a background of edge-on tumbled travertine(cut in narrow strips), but I am concerned that without some way to secure it to the walls it could fall in and hurt Benny.
Also, is construction adhesive safe to use on things that are going in his tank? I plan on building his basking spot and hide out of the travertine, and would prefer to secure it to make it one solid piece.
Another hiccup to consider: I have a cat who regularly hunts lizards outside, so I have to have a metal screen over the top of the cage to keep them separated. As of yet she hasn't bothered him, but I want to protect him if she ever decides to try.
Like I said, any advice is appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

 

[CooperDragon]

In a large tank, I suggest going with a T5 tube for UVB. You can even get a dual fixture to have one tube provide UVB and the other daylight. A T5 will be able to sit on a mesh top without a problem and still have a good output at 10-12'' from the bulb. Something like this might work really well http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24...arcadia-12-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/ The advantage of using a T5 in addition to the increased power is that they last for quite a long time. Mine has been providing great UVB output for over 2 years now.

Your basking light should be fine higher up as well. I like a minimum of 12'' for those to provide a nice wide beam for basking under (and to keep it out of reach). The mounting distance for that really comes down more to the temperature readings than anything.

For a background I suggest printing out a large photo that you can tape to the outside back of the tank. I had a print shop create a 36x18'' print of one of my Australia photos to act as a background for my tank and it works really well.

 

[n1978]

That looks great. My only concern would be the bar that runs across the top of the tank. It is right in the middle, and it runs from front to back. That is why I was thinking of using two separate fixtures, one for each side. To get good coverage without having to worry about the light sitting right next to that plastic. If I'm not making myself clear, I can upload a picture...

 

[CooperDragon]

That will work too. LYR stopped carrying the single fixtures for some reason it appears. A good alternative would be a 24'' Sunblaster fixture with either an Arcadia 12% bulb or a ReptiSun 10.0 bulb for it.

This fixture https://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector-SunBlaster/dp/B018WLSDMK
With this bulb http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSun-10-0-Lamp/dp/B00AQU8HAO/
Or this bulb http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ar...-the-original-reptile-ho-t5-in-north-america/

 

[CooperDragon]

I take that back. It looks like it has been posted again. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/ This is the one I use and it's fantastic.

 

[n1978]

You have that one? Good. I'm going to ask you a couple of questions if that's okay...
What is the actual length measurement on the case(the "footprint", if you will)?
Does it have a standard 110 plug, or is it Euro? That may sound silly, and it may BE silly, but I know the Arcadia bulbs come from UK, I don't know where the fixtures might be from...

 

[CooperDragon]

The fixture is US. Arcadia makes a line for US based outlets as well. The plug is grounded 3 prong so I have a timer that handles the ground prong. My fixture is 34'' long and the plug is at one end which brings it to 35.5''. It is 2'' tall and 4'' wide. The reflector piece is arched but there is a flat/squared bit at the top 1'' tall and 1'' wide which makes it easier to sit flush if you mount it to the inside top of an enclosure. Mine just sits on the top of the tank. It comes with two hooks that clip to the top to allow for hanging it as well.

I got the 36'' because that's the size of my tank and my thinking at the time was to provide UVB across the whole tank. I have since blocked some of the UVB over the cool side with clear plastic. If I had it to do over again I'd just get the 22'' to put over the basking area to create a better gradient. As it stands I have the UVB fixture sitting to the front of the tank which creates a bit of a gradient (down to about 1UVI toward the back of the tank which is good.

 

[n1978]

That is really good information. Thank you so much. I was thinking I would use them all the way across, but from what you're saying that isn't necessary? My tank is 48" wide. A 22" light would provide enough UVB for him? Like I said earlier, I want to make the best, healthiest home possible for Benny.
Also, you have your basking and UVB on the same side of the tank, you said? Is it okay to put an LED on the other side just for additional light?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah I've learned a lot over time, especially about lighting so my thoughts on habitat and lighting are constantly evolving. The best of my knowledge at the moment is to provide a basking area that is slightly larger in diameter than their length so they can bask evenly. Using a basking light on an adjustable stand allows me to raise it up higher and make a wider beam using a higher wattage bulb to achieve the same temperature gradient. The same thing can be done with multiple smaller bulbs. The same goes for UVB. You just need enough to provide an intense UVB area over the basking spot so 22'' is a good size in most cases. The key is to provide warm temps (100-110) and high UVB (UVI 3-6) over the basking area while providing a gradient of both down to 75-80 or so temp and UVI of 0-1. In smaller enclosures this is more easily accomplished with the smaller (but powerful T5) UVB bulb.

Yes, you want the UVB light and basking light right next to eachother so their output combines and makes something that is more similar to sunlight. The ultimate goal is to imitate natural sunlight and sunshine cycles as closely as possible.

An LED or even a 6.5k daylight tube over the cool end of the tank should be fine. They don't tend to put off much heat at all and shouldn't affect the gradient. I would avoid using odd colors and try to keep it as close to daylight/6.5k as possible so things in the tank don't look distorted to your dragon.

If it's in your budget I also recommend getting a programmable thermostat to control the lighting. It's not necessary but it's an awfully nice luxury. I have a Herpstat2 that simulates sunrise and sunset by slowly dimming up the light in the morning and dimming it down in the evening. It has two inputs controlled by one probe on the basking area and one probe on the cool side. I can keep the temps within a few degrees day and night. The second output controls the megaray heat projector so I can provide nighttime heat as needed without visible light. I have the UVB light click on via timer so the intense UVB starts an hour or two after "sunrise" and stops an hour or two before "sunset". I'd love to be able to ramp the intensity of the UVB light but that's not possible at the moment.

 

[n1978]

You are just a font of usefulness! I actually copy/pasted your last reply and am going to print it out so I don't forget it.
I knew joining this site was a good idea. That is great information, and I will be using every bit of it as I design the lighting setup for mine and my girlfriend's tanks. You have helped make the process a lot easier and less stressful. I am an over-planner, and I like to have all the information I can before I make a decision.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm glad to be of help. Planning everything ahead of time and getting it just right will make a huge difference for your new buddy. Another user on here, Taterbug, has put together a very useful guide for lighting setups that is worth a read. She gets a lot of the info from the same sources I do but elaborates on what I was describing

https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/photogradient

 

[n1978]

Thanks a lot! Though now I have to convert metric into English lol. My tanks didn't come with top screens, but I'm pretty handy and will be making them to suit. Having the basking light and the UVB on one side actually makes it easier.