lauraj1055":ptl0685y said:
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.