upgrade from 10 gallon tank

[johnnytrad]

now he has some more roomn until i build the custom enclosure.
I have 2 dig thermometers with the leads ordered. (1 for each side of tank)
the light is now hooked up to a timer so he gets 13 hours of light per day. Does he need more/less?

 

[catUK]

Hello

between 12-14hours of light per day is what is recommended. Have you got a UVB, i can't see one in the photos?

 

[johnnytrad]

Hi,
i have the Mercury vapor uva/uvb/heat bulb in the black dome

 

[lauraj1055]

Hi,
i have the Mercury vapor uva/uvb/heat bulb in the black dome

Which MVB are you using? And what size is your tank? I use the Powesun 160 watt for my baby, and then I put a light (15 watt economy spiral light bulb, which gives out 60 watts of light) on the other end.. They like a lot of light during the day, so I would do that..

Here is how mine are set up:

The MVB is on the right in the dome, and the regular household bulb is on the left..

 

[johnnytrad]

Exo Terra Solar Glow 160 watt Bulb is whats currently in there. this gets the temp to around 93 degrees on one side of the tank and 82 on the other side.

 

[lauraj1055]

93 degrees is way too low for a baby.. It should be at least 100- 105 at the least, and then the most 110.. As an adult they like it cooler, and it can go to 98 degrees, but 93 is still too low even for an adult.. 98 - 100 is optimal for an ADULT beardie..

Just to help you out....

 

[BadCon]

How are you measuring those basking temps? I see the dial thermometer on the back wall...is that what you are using? They are pretty inaccurate, and what you really need to know is the temperatures on the basking spot. Digital probe thermometers can be had at just about any pet store for under $10, and they have a little probe which you place directly on the basking spot. For a baby, you are looking for 105-110 degrees F.

 

[johnnytrad]

I now have two dig probe therms in there. one where he basks and the other at the other side of the tank. will take pics soon

 

[johnnytrad]

here is a pic with the new thermometers (one in each corner)
i moved the lead on theright one to the height he would normally be at and the temp is only 85 degrees! this is with a 160 watt bulb!!....now what?

 

[lauraj1055]

I know that the Powersun and the Mega ray Solar Raptors don't give off a lot of heat, probably the same with the one you are using.. I have never really heard of anyone using the one you have, so I don't know how much UVB it actually gives out, or if it's any good.. But, you can put a secondary light next to the basking lamp, mabye a 40 watt household bulb and that should get the temps right up there for you.

Also, with the UVB being on top the of screen, your beardie is only getting about 50% of the UVB that is given off. I would take the screen off and get a lamp holder for it, or cut a hole in the screen.

 

[johnnytrad]

ok new mod...no more screen on top and lowered the light a little to gain more heat
any comments are always welcome

 

[lauraj1055]

good job! what are your basking temps now?

Now there is no screen blocking the UVB.. the mesh screens that come with the tanks allow very little UVB to get through. When we built my custom viv, we used chicken wire for the top so it has the big square holes so the UVB can get through

 

[johnnytrad]

thank you. of course 5 min after i was done the timer went off on the light so i didnt get a true reading. ill find out tomm though.

 

[BadCon]

Also, with the UVB being on top the of screen, your beardie is only getting about 50% of the UVB that is given off. I would take the screen off and get a lamp holder for it, or cut a hole in the screen.

DO NOT REMOVE THE SCREEN! He is using a 160w MVB...this class of bulbs should not be any closer then 18" to the top of the dragon (realistically 20"+). They give off far too much UVB if placed any closer. This is exactly why people started blinding their dragons with MVB bulbs! The screen will attenuate some of output, mitigating the fact that its too close. Also, depending on the size and type of the mesh, a screen will filter anywhere from 15-35% of the UVB.
I can't stress this enough...in general, the output from a 160w class bulb will be substantially higher then their 100w counterparts. This requires they be substantially farther away! The issue is they don't often give out enough heat at the required distances, causing people to move them closer which in turn exposes the animal to exceptionally high levels of UV radiation. Sadly, the marketing ploy for a "all in one bulb" is the cause of much of the recent health issues people have experienced. If you can't get the temps up, then you'll need another bulb...simple as that.

 

[lauraj1055]

Also, with the UVB being on top the of screen, your beardie is only getting about 50% of the UVB that is given off. I would take the screen off and get a lamp holder for it, or cut a hole in the screen.

DO NOT REMOVE THE SCREEN! He is using a 160w MVB...this class of bulbs should not be any closer then 18" to the top of the dragon (realistically 20"+). They give off far too much UVB if placed any closer. This is exactly why people started blinding their dragons with MVB bulbs! The screen will attenuate some of output, mitigating the fact that its too close. Also, depending on the size and type of the mesh, a screen will filter anywhere from 15-35% of the UVB.
I can't stress this enough...in general, the output from a 160w class bulb will be substantially higher then their 100w counterparts. This requires they be substantially farther away! The issue is they don't often give out enough heat at the required distances, causing people to move them closer which in turn exposes the animal to exceptionally high levels of UV radiation. Sadly, the marketing ploy for a "all in one bulb" is the cause of much of the recent health issues people have experienced. If you can't get the temps up, then you'll need another bulb...simple as that.

First of all. You are correct about having the bulb 18" - 20" away... BUT second of all, the screen will block out the beneficial UVB light and should not be used.. So Yes, if the light is closer than 18" - 20" move it back and if you can't get the heat you need add another bulb (like I had said earlier)

Like I said Earlier, I am not familiar with the MVB bulb you are using. I personally use the Powersun MVB for my baby as recommended by my breeder at Rio Reptiles, who in fact has tested these lights with her own UVB meter, and has found these are the best MVB bulb out there. As a breeder of many dragons, and owner of beardeddragon.co (a store created to help bearded dragon owners give their dragons the healthiest life possible) I follow what she says.. But as anyone here, you are entitled to your own opinion. I'm going by facts that were given to me.