T5 UVB Light help

[GriffinNC]

My son and I just picked up our Bearded dragon Sat. We worked on the cage setup for quite awhile first. But now I'm reading maybe I'm wrong in how I have the lighting.

The UVB is a Reptisun 10.0 T5 in a Sunblaster fixture with reflector. Where he's sitting he is probably 9 inches from the lamp. Above him is his heat fixure, 75w basking light. Hot spot is running about 105-110 just to the right of where he sits. If I put it on top the cage he might actually be closer, around 7 inches. But there would be the screen.

Is that to much UVB where it's mounted? If I put it on the top it will be sitting on a screen probably 8" above him. Inside it is screwed into the cage. Any advice would be really helpful. Would a 5.0 be better in there or move it above?

Since we have gotten him he doesn't seem to eat real well either. A few crickets now and then, but nothing like I expected from a juvenile dragon. Could to much UVB cause the appetite to be down?

Thanks

 

[Taterbug]

It is too close, yes Howver thru the screen t might be ok. I wouldn't switch from the 10.0 though. You've got a couple options. Increase the distance, remove the reflector, lower/move the basking spot. Personally I think the further we keep lights away the better - the sunblaster I have does a good job at 12-14" away.

This chart might help, the reptisun measurements are not in a sunblaster fixture but the second ones in the arcadia line are, I get similar readings in my sunblaster to those values. For dragons the max uvb should be in the yellow (3-5) range.

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

He's realy cute perched up like that :3 his appetite migt still be off from relocation stress some of them are slower to settle into their new lives.

 

[GriffinNC]

If I'm reading the chart right pulling the reflector off might be my easiest solution. The cage is 3x2x18 so even above the screen would be really close. And if I lower his basking spot I would have to redo the heat lamps. Really wish UVB meters weren't so expensive.

 

[Taterbug]

If I'm reading the chart right pulling the reflector off might be my easiest solution. The cage is 3x2x18 so even above the screen would be really close. And if I lower his basking spot I would have to redo the heat lamps. Really wish UVB meters weren't so expensive.

It's a shame they really are handy.

I used an unreflected fixture in my shorter enclosure and it worked fine. You could also hang it 10-12" over head through the screen and be alright too, but you may need to get clever with a hanger is all.

 

[GriffinNC]

Yea, I like having the fixture in the cage too. It keeps things clean looking around it. There isn't anywhere to hang the fixture from if I brought it out.