Terrarium Upgrade Setup (Heat and Light)

[mjm25]

I am looking to upgrade my beardie's terrarium from her current one, which is 36x18x12 (LxWxH). She is 2.5 years old and 15" from head to tail. A couple of options I saw were available were 36x24x18 and 36x18x24. The main question I had for either one would be how I setup heating and lighting for the tank. Currently, I have a 22" T5-HO 10.0 on top of the screen of her current tank and a 100 watt basking bulb on a dimmer to make sure the basking spot is around 105-110. How far away from her basking area would I need to setup the T5-HO, and how can I setup the basking bulb nearby? Note that I would want to keep the screen on the top since she is a climber. If any other information is needed, please let me know and thank you!

 

[KarrieRee]

Everything should transfer over - your T 5 can go on top just have your basking decor piece directly underneath the T 5 approx 8-10 inches from it -- 105-110 temp is too hot for a adult dragon - I would get a piece of decor that offers different gradient heats for her to choose where she wants to sit and bask - something like this works real good https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-driftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116 this piece can be laid in the tank and they can utilize the different ways it sits - I have this piece in each one of my tanks w/ the long stick part on the floor of the tank and they sit in between it they stand against it and lay on the big part of the trunk I can post a pic of it if you like so you can see it -- you want your temps from 95-105-- I think I would go w/ the 36x18x24. Its gonna give more room for the width and easier to work w/
Karrie

 

[mjm25]

Thanks for the reply! I plan on upgrading her space with a couple new pieces of decor once I have a bigger space to work with and what you recommended looks great for her. Also, was the 24 you recommended in the width (think that is what I was leaning toward)? The only other questions I had would be if you have the time:

Is it okay to have the basking light be directly above her platform of choice, and the T5-HO light next to the basking light (but not directly above the platform) it such that the distance diagonally is 8-10 inches?

Should there be multiple spots where she can be 8-10 inches away from the T5-HO light?

What should the surface temperature of the area below the basking platform?

Thanks again!

 

[KarrieRee]

It only matters if she can sit directly underneath the UVB- you dont want the rays shining in her eyes like from off the back wall - if you put it over head and it does not need to be beside the basking light - if you haft to put it in a different part of the tank that is fine - its optimal to have it all in one area but not necessary -- she will go to the light she needs -- mine do it - I do not have the basking and UVB together -- my UVB's sit in the warm side of the tank 90's --- just make sure you have the decor piece approx 8-10 inches from her UVB - the basking spot should be 95-110- place the probe on the spot she sits to bask - the piece of decor I posted for you will give you different temps so she can pick and choose where she wants the heat -- its easier to move decor pieces than lights -- so get your lights situated first then move your decor pieces --you do not have to have multiple spots of 8-10 inches- one piece of decor that sits 8-10 inches from the UVB -- here is a pic of Blazes tank his UVB sits in the middle of front of tank - his tank is a 4x2x2

the basking area is to the back of the tank
Karrie

 

[mjm25]

Thanks again for the response! I actually went with the same Zen Habitats terrarium and it looks great The only remaining question I have is what wattage Basking Bulb are you using (100 or 150 watt)? I am currently using a 100 watt on her old tank with a dimmer.

 

[KarrieRee]

At the moment since its been so hot I am using 100 watts -- when winter comes it will go back to the 150
Karrie