UVB dome?

[Dana]

Hello -
I had two dome lights, basking and uvb. I switched to a mercury vapor combined but my beard is getting too much ??? Is the dome thru a screen top sufficient? Or should I get a strip and mount inside? So confused - lots of info some conflicting.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello -
I had two dome lights, basking and uvb. I switched to a mercury vapor combined but my beard is getting too much ??? Is the dome thru a screen top sufficient? Or should I get a strip and mount inside? So confused - lots of info some conflicting.

You want a back up uvb- most mvb do not emit enough uvb especially thru a screen - what brand and bulb please you want a long tube fixture- we can recommend 3 that are good

 

[Dana]

You want a back up uvb- most mvb do not emit enough uvb especially thru a screen - what brand and bulb please you want a long tube fixture- we can recommend 3 that are good

Powersun 100w. Mayerial says 2.6 to 3.5 at 6 to 10 in. I’m guessing he’s getting too much while basking. He’s moving away from basking early and using the cool side which he never hangs in, only uses for BR or pool visit.

I was worried the side by side domes would not provide uvb except very brief periods when he’s under it.

 

[KarrieRee]

Powersun 100w. Mayerial says 2.6 to 3.5 at 6 to 10 in. I’m guessing he’s getting too much while basking. He’s moving away from basking early and using the cool side which he never hangs in, only uses for BR or pool visit.

I was worried the side by side domes would not provide uvb except very brief periods when he’s under it.

I think it should be 4.5-6.5 for UVB -- what is the surface basking temps? those should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer -- 95-100- lets make sure about the UVB exposure lets ask CooperDragon I dont want to give wrong numbers on this
@CooperDragon

 

[Dana]

I think it should be 4.5-6.5 for UVB -- what is the surface basking temps? those should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer -- 95-100- lets make sure about the UVB exposure lets ask CooperDragon I dont want to give wrong numbers on this
@CooperDragon

Basking spot is 102-105. He can get higher and hotter…. Baby about 8-9 in long

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Beardie ER to Enclosures

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Do you have a picture of your tank setup, so we can see your lighting?
It's always helpful to see placement of the bulbs, to more easily determine
the distances, etc.

Tracie

 

[Dana]

Hello,

Do you have a picture of your tank setup, so we can see your lighting?
It's always helpful to see placement of the bulbs, to more easily determine
the distances, etc.

Tracie

I’m switching back. He’s not well at all. I’m not understanding why but the MVB is too much something. It’s not too hot but the combine spot is too much it seems as the day goes on. He’s good with the bask bulb but I’m concerned the uvb dome won’t be enough. I keep reading a dome uvb isn’t enough for a bear die. Simple set up one side hot dome bask. Next to that uvb dome (8.5 in ea). I have a night heater as needed. Cold side. All was good til I tried the mvb. But again concerned long term uvb. I don’t have a uvb meter. They’re very expensive but seems I need one.

 

[KarrieRee]

You dont need one please get a long tube fixture -- posting sites for UVB's - there are 3 that are recommended on this board
this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you need the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb posting link as well

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Terrarium Hood (24 inch)

joshsfrogs.com

22" bulb Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent T5 HO Bulb (22", 24 Watt)

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit 24"

ProT5 is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high quality internal electronics, a high effective but removable reflector, power cable, fittings kit & bulb

www.reptilebasics.com

or this one you will need to change the bulb out to the Reptisun posted above get the 2 ft or 24" fixture

https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-fixture-with-6400k-lamp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0=

When you get the UVB please post back on here so we can help you set it up the screen on the tank will determine the placement and distance
You do not need a meter - as long as your changing the UVB out every 10-11 months the UVB should be good - I have had my dragons for years and never used a meter - I just change the bulb out before a year out and they have done fine

 

[CooperDragon]

If he is regularly avoiding the new bulb, then I'd probably either try to add more shade by reconfiguring or adding branches around the basking area, or just replace the bulb with something else. It's possible you have a dud bulb that isn't producing a good spread of light or has hot spots or something else. The quality control on these can be suspect sometimes. I recall testing the 100w PowerSun at one point and was disappointed in how dim it looked and the UVB output was relatively low. Unfortunately I can't find my notes at the moment so I don't remember what the measured output was. Your estimate of 3.5-2.6UVI at 6-10 inches sounds about right though. I generally like to offer 3-6 UVI over the basking area when possible so even at that estimate it would need to be pretty close to the surface to be effective.

I think the main thing here is that your dragon doesn't seem to like the light for some reason. The measurements and estimates are a good starting point, but it comes down to tweaking everything to suit the individual preference of your dragon. You can do this by changing the bulbs used, raising/lowering the bulb, changing decor around to adjust the gradients, etc. Sometimes they like to be able to climb and get lots of intense UVB. Some of them prefer basking zones that are a bit cooler - 93-98 for example - which is totally fine. It can take a bit of trial and error to find what works well in each situation for each dragon. They will tell you through behavior (avoiding the basking area as you're seeing) or by visual cues like dark beard, lethargic behavior, hyperactive behavior and wall surfing etc.

What you might consider in this situation is go back to the previous configuration and see how he responds. You could reserve the Powersun to use as a portable basking spot at some point or maybe return it if possible. You could then try out some different options and see how those go over. I like using a T5 UVB light in the main enclosure because it's easier to adjust the UVB exposure and temperature independently. If you prefer using a MVB, you might try a different brand. Arcadia makes nice ones. So does MegaRay. I've had decent results with the budget brand LuckyHerp frosted bulb (I've used these for travel). The results may vary in your setup, so the main thing is to watch your dragon after changes are made and adjust based on his reactions in order to get everything fine tuned for him.

 

[Dana]

If he is regularly avoiding the new bulb, then I'd probably either try to add more shade by reconfiguring or adding branches around the basking area, or just replace the bulb with something else. It's possible you have a dud bulb that isn't producing a good spread of light or has hot spots or something else. The quality control on these can be suspect sometimes. I recall testing the 100w PowerSun at one point and was disappointed in how dim it looked and the UVB output was relatively low. Unfortunately I can't find my notes at the moment so I don't remember what the measured output was. Your estimate of 3.5-2.6UVI at 6-10 inches sounds about right though. I generally like to offer 3-6 UVI over the basking area when possible so even at that estimate it would need to be pretty close to the surface to be effective.

I think the main thing here is that your dragon doesn't seem to like the light for some reason. The measurements and estimates are a good starting point, but it comes down to tweaking everything to suit the individual preference of your dragon. You can do this by changing the bulbs used, raising/lowering the bulb, changing decor around to adjust the gradients, etc. Sometimes they like to be able to climb and get lots of intense UVB. Some of them prefer basking zones that are a bit cooler - 93-98 for example - which is totally fine. It can take a bit of trial and error to find what works well in each situation for each dragon. They will tell you through behavior (avoiding the basking area as you're seeing) or by visual cues like dark beard, lethargic behavior, hyperactive behavior and wall surfing etc.

What you might consider in this situation is go back to the previous configuration and see how he responds. You could reserve the Powersun to use as a portable basking spot at some point or maybe return it if possible. You could then try out some different options and see how those go over. I like using a T5 UVB light in the main enclosure because it's easier to adjust the UVB exposure and temperature independently. If you prefer using a MVB, you might try a different brand. Arcadia makes nice ones. So does MegaRay. I've had decent results with the budget brand LuckyHerp frosted bulb (I've used these for travel). The results may vary in your setup, so the main thing is to watch your dragon after changes are made and adjust based on his reactions in order to get everything fine tuned for him.

Oh boy. Thank you.
Making all the lights fit is a challenge. I’m switching back today to what I had. Dragon is lethargic toward end of day, and moves away from bask area earlier than before, hangs on glass. I was looking at hoods, so I will see what I can get set up.
So, T5 under screen? I think all in the store were designed for on top of screen. I have some space issue fitting a hood behind a bask, and I’m concerned hung under near bask would melt. Maybe can figure it out….is there a low profile type for under screen? I researched the uvb and seems about 40% is filtered by the screen which seems about right.

 

[KarrieRee]

Oh boy. Thank you.
Making all the lights fit is a challenge. I’m switching back today to what I had. Dragon is lethargic toward end of day, and moves away from bask area earlier than before, hangs on glass. I was looking at hoods, so I will see what I can get set up.
So, T5 under screen? I think all in the store were designed for on top of screen. I have some space issue fitting a hood behind a bask, and I’m concerned hung under near bask would melt. Maybe can figure it out….is there a low profile type for under screen? I researched the uvb and seems about 40% is filtered by the screen which seems about right.

You can have the UVB in a different spot not directly by the basking bulb -- they will go to the light if needed - its optimal to have them together but not necessary -- I have mine set up w/ a hot basking area and a middle of tank where the UVB is and a lower wattage bulb top of screen behind the UVB which is in the tank posting a pic so you can see - that middle area is in the 90's -

 

[Dana]

You can have the UVB in a different spot not directly by the basking bulb -- they will go to the light if needed - its optimal to have them together but not necessary -- I have mine set up w/ a hot basking area and a middle of tank where the UVB is and a lower wattage bulb top of screen behind the UVB which is in the tank posting a pic so you can see - that middle area is in the 90's -

 

[Dana]

This is the two dome set up. Left bask, mid-uvb,

 

[KarrieRee]

This is the two dome set up. Left bask, mid-uvb,

Is that a coil in the middle dome? or a MVB?