Iloverex":1kix2xlq said:
I currently have a reptisun 10.0 t8 (inside mount) in my 4ft x2ft melamine enclosure i built. But it just occurred to me, even with it mounted inside, should i have gone to t5 with the increase in space? (Previously had a 40B) He tends to hang out in areas that range from 8-12 inches from the light. Even if it's "ok," i think I'd like to go to t5. Would this be ok? (Don't know how to tell what is too much uvb) Also, how much length of the enclosure would it need to cover?
How tall is the viv ?
will you mounting under the lid or ontop of the (mesh) lid ?
GUIDE :
how far from basking spot ? == there are optimal distances for all UVB lights from the beardie see Arcadia Website for a good guide (a good UVB for beardies at their basking spot is about 180 to 200 microW UVB / sqcm ).
"Effective to a specified distance" DOES NOT mean this is the optimum distance from UV source to the basking spot , effective to distance x means ONLY that UVB will be measureable at distance x.
The optimum UVB distance will be somewhat closer than the distance x.
For example a 26W UVB200 globe :
.......Effective Distance up to 40 inches ==> 4 microW UVB / sqcm
.......At a distance of 24 inches ==> 10 microW UVB / sqcm
.......A good distance for beardies is 6-8 inches ==> 160 - 90 microW / sqcm.
Too far and the UVA and UVB WILL BE TOO DILUTE (as illustrated in the example above).
UVA FLUX TOO LOW where dragon is ==> a very lethargic dragon w/ a very poor apetite just in the short term , and neurological problems if this persists , not to mention MVB if UVB flux too low long enough with inadequate metabolisation of dietary calcium or inadequate intake out calcium
A GOOD GUIDE FOR SETTING UP THE THERMAL AND UV GRADIENT IN A VIV.
Compare T8 and T5ho tubes
is a good idea to mount the UVB globe or one end of the UVB T8 or T5 tube, so it’s adjacent as close as you can arrange it , to the basking bulb.