UVB lighting help

[TheBeard9789]

Hey guys just got a brand new kit in the box its as follows

Arcadia Pro T5 for beardies Uromastyx ect
22 inch bulb/fixture it says
14 % for dragons
12% for deserts
6% for forest

I got the 12% to put it inside my enclosure which from my knowledge and what i was told the 14% I would need to put on top of my enclosure bc i have a mesh top and itd filter some out correct??

I just wanna make sure im doing this correctly and safely before I install these new bulbs up

 

[CooperDragon]

The Arcadia pro T5 is a really nice setup. The difference in bulb % pretty much comes down to the output strength - so they just require different mounting distances. The 6% is appropriate for smaller enclosures and has an appropriate output for a dragon at around 6-8'' or so. The 12% is what I use and it is best at around 12-14'' above the main basking area. The 14% is best for tall enclosures and should be set around 18-22'' or so.
If you're mounting the light so it's shining through a mesh top, the amount that is filtered really depends on how fine the mesh is. The top of my Exo Terra has a screen that is roughly similar to the mesh on a screen door. I've measured the output to drop a bit through the mesh, but putting the light a couple few inches closer to the main basking area helps to compensate for this.
The general idea is to provide UVI somewhere in the range of around 3-6 over the basking zone which is where those recommended distances come from. As long as you have a basking spot within that range, as well as areas in the enclosure with little to no UVB available (they don't always want/need it) then you should be in good shape.

 

[TheBeard9789]

The Arcadia pro T5 is a really nice setup. The difference in bulb % pretty much comes down to the output strength - so they just require different mounting distances. The 6% is appropriate for smaller enclosures and has an appropriate output for a dragon at around 6-8'' or so. The 12% is what I use and it is best at around 12-14'' above the main basking area. The 14% is best for tall enclosures and should be set around 18-22'' or so.
If you're mounting the light so it's shining through a mesh top, the amount that is filtered really depends on how fine the mesh is. The top of my Exo Terra has a screen that is roughly similar to the mesh on a screen door. I've measured the output to drop a bit through the mesh, but putting the light a couple few inches closer to the main basking area helps to compensate for this.
The general idea is to provide UVI somewhere in the range of around 3-6 over the basking zone which is where those recommended distances come from. As long as you have a basking spot within that range, as well as areas in the enclosure with little to no UVB available (they don't always want/need it) then you should be in good shape.

My enclosure is 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet with it being 4 feet long I was guessing/told to do half the tank I'm just concerned bc it wont be "above" the basking spot (my T8 is next to it 6-8 inches away) but rather to the side. Around 12-14inches from the basking spot in hoping it will act just like my T8 but just farther away due to the output and it'll hopefully add some UVB on/off the basking spot. Sometimes my bearded dragons sleep/relax on the side of the platform not on the platform itself and sense I had to move my T8 closer their cool side has lights but not as much sense I had to move the T8 closer to the platform. I have Zen Habitat enclosures and its a rather thick mesh on top so it was advised to mount the UVB inside
I could also with the basking bulb but it would be a little to close for comfort for me

 

[KarrieRee]

My enclosure is 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet with it being 4 feet long I was guessing/told to do half the tank I'm just concerned bc it wont be "above" the basking spot (my T8 is next to it 6-8 inches away) but rather to the side. Around 12-14inches from the basking spot in hoping it will act just like my T8 but just farther away due to the output and it'll hopefully add some UVB on/off the basking spot. Sometimes my bearded dragons sleep/relax on the side of the platform not on the platform itself and sense I had to move my T8 closer their cool side has lights but not as much sense I had to move the T8 closer to the platform. I have Zen Habitat enclosures and its a rather thick mesh on top so it was advised to mount the UVB inside
I could also with the basking bulb but it would be a little to close for comfort for me

12-14 inches is good w/ a reflector - its going to reflect the UVB rays -- if you want move the UVB over to where he can get directly under it -- the dragon is going to go to the light he needs -- and yes it needs to be inside the tank -- here is some stuff you can use for hanging it its like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around your fixture GE 15 ft. Cable Ties, Hook and Loop Spool, Black-10375 - The Home Depot