UVB Lighting and Screen Lid

[delfiend]

I'm preparing everything I need to know/have for the bearded dragon I'm getting later this summer. I'm waiting until I'm done with any long periods away from the house.

It's come to my attention that screen lids filter out somewhere around 50% of the UVB light given off by the Reptisun 10.0. I'm getting a screen lid, however, and had an idea.

The light fixture runs the entire length of the tank with only like maybe and inch of room from the end to the edge of the tank on either side. If I cut the screen lid so that the majority of the UVB light won't have anything blocking it, would the screen lid lose its integrity/tension/strength?

If the lid will be fine, that's what I'll do. Does anyone have any advice/knowledge on the subject? Thanks!

 

[MauDragon]

If you cut the screen lid, then it would lost its purpose of preventing insect feeders from getting out and vice versa. So I suggest putting the UVB inside the tank using 3M hooks. This gives you another advantage as you won't need to move the UVB when you want to get or feed your Beardie.

Sacho~

 

[skateanddonate]

Reptile mesh screens filter 30%. Contact Zoo Med for lab reports.

 

[Goodtruant]

Depending on the density of the mesh it can block 25-50% of UVB. Since most captive beardies do not get real sunlight UVB is a must. A reptisun 10.0 puts out about 1/10th (if that) the UVB natural sunlight gives. In the wild beardies will bask 2-4 hours a day, and remain under cover or in the shade the rest of the day. We compensate for this by giving them UVB 12-14 hours a day.

I hang our fixture from the screen using string or twist ties.

 

[delfiend]

Thanks! That's very neat and creative, Goodtruant! I'll be sure to give that one a try.
And MauDragon, my tank is quite tall, plus that light fixture would be on top of the hole and blacking escapes. We probably have a bunch of crickets in our house somewhere, because my brother never kept a lid on his 20 gal tank with his leopard gecko and the crickets were always jumping out and crawling around in the hallway :bleick: They probably all die in winter anyway.

I think the screen lid is mostly to give my mom some peace of mind (is it peice or peace?). She puts up with having crickets in bug cages and in the gecko's cage because she doesn't have to mess with them herself. But as soon as they're running around the house... :evil: <--- My Mom

I think I'm planning on vacuuming out the leftover crickets, because they do chew on the lizards (the gecko too) and they chirp, if they're large crickets. If I can't sleep with them, I'm sure my beardie won't be able to either. We keep the crickets in our basement when they're not being eaten. They don't bother anyone there.


Thanks again for the idea, Goodtruant! And the pics were really helpful too!