UVB Light Inside Enclosure?

[Wolfeden]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post but I've done a good amount of research in preparation for our new pet beardie.
We will be taking my sons class pet, an approximately 2 year old BD, for at least the summer but I suspect we might wind up with it long term...

I'm a little confused about the information on UVB light location.
Some sources say that screening will inhibit the UVB light, others say that glass does the same.

So my question is, does the light need to be inside the enclosure and not obstructed by glass or screen?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Taterbug]

Most glass and plastic will block close to 100% of UVB radiation. The exception is special horticultural glass. Screen will block between 20-50% depending on how tight the mesh is.

If you get a T8 style bulb (the bigger tube) it should be inside so it can be 6-8"
If you get a T5 style bulb it can be outside the screen, since it is much more potent than the T5. It should be about 12" away.

Adding a reflector, or buying a fixture that has one, will roughly double the output of either style bulge.

This site is a great resource. http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

 

[Wolfeden]

Thank you.

So, T8 inside and T5 outside because it is more intense even though it's a smaller bulb?

Also, while we're at it...
Is a regular flood or spot light bulb (approx. 50W) OK for the basking light, or does it need to be something special?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Wolfeden]

FWIW, I just found the "Lighting Help for Newbies" sticky and I think I'm starting to understand. :study:

 

[jarich]

A normal halogen flood light works great for basking, but go for the flood not the spot light.

Whether the UV light is inside or out though will depend on how far away it is. Like Taterbug said, a T5 can project much more than the T8, but if the basking spot is too far away then it will still need to be inside. How far is your light going to be from your dragons back?

 

[Wolfeden]

Thanks for your response.

I won't have the BD for another two weeks but when I get it I'll be getting the full enclosure and contents also.

I don't have all the details yet but the enclosure is a 55 gallon tank.
I think 48"L x 13"W x 18"H. It sounds like all the lighting is on top, outside the screen cover. So, I'm thinking this is wrong and I'm not even sure if it has the correct UVB bulb (Reptisun 10.0).

I just want to be able to make things right soon after getting everything.

I will post up more info, and maybe some pictures, when I get everything.

 

[Soulwind]

I hate to tell you this, but a 55 gallon tank is usually not acceptable
for an adult beardie.

55g tanks are typically 48" long x 12" wide. 12" is not nearly wide enough
for most adult dragons. You need 18" or more in width. You want the cage to be at least as wide as the dragon is long nose to tail tip (or close to at least).

A "40 breeder" tank is a much better fit being 36" x 18", and a 75 gallon
(48" x 18") is even better.

Most "custom" cages are typically 48" x 24".

 

[Wolfeden]

I hate to tell you this, but a 55 gallon tank is usually not acceptable
for an adult beardie.
[snip]

I'm glad you did tell me because I was not aware of that.

Unfortunately there's not much I can do about it because technically, at this point, the beardie is not mine. We are just taking care of it through the summer until school starts up again.

If, however, we do wind up adopting this pet I am more than willing to make to make the appropriate changes and upgrade the enclosure size.

Thanks for your input.