UVB question

[Sheranne]

I've done a search on the forum but can't find an answer for this, so please excuse me if I'm overlooking it somewhere.

I have the ReptiSun 10.0 tube running alongside the back of the tank, and I know the depth will penetrate up to 20", but what about the width? My beardie has been hanging out along the front of the tank a lot lately, and I'm wondering if she is getting enough of the UVB when she isn't directly under the light. She is in a 20 gallon long tank for now, although we will upgrade when she is bigger.

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[Embee]

I've done a search on the forum but can't find an answer for this, so please excuse me if I'm overlooking it somewhere.

I have the ReptiSun 10.0 tube running alongside the back of the tank, and I know the depth will penetrate up to 20", but what about the width? My beardie has been hanging out along the front of the tank a lot lately, and I'm wondering if she is getting enough of the UVB when she isn't directly under the light. She is in a 20 gallon long tank for now, although we will upgrade when she is bigger.

Thanks for any assistance!

The main thing is, to "couple" your UVB tube and your basking light such as:


_____________________tube
0 basking light

... so that beardie will get benefit of both lights (for optimum calcium processing and thorough digestion) while basking, which of course they do a good majority of the time, as they eat so often/and so many feeders as youngsters. Your beardie can get to within 6-8 inches of the ReptiSun safely, so it's best to have it at that distance at the basking area. Also, the bright white light of the basking bulb will guard your beardie's eyes from the UVB rays.

So long as your beardie is getting good basking time in -- 1 1/2 - 2 hours (minimum) before AND after eating, you should be in good shape, as the UVB will project throughout the tank at least to some degree at times when she isn't basking.

Hope that helps a bit!

Em

 

[Sheranne]

Thanks so much for your help. I do have the basking light and the UVB light side by side, so I know when she is basking she's soaking up some good rays!

She seems to be doing fine, so maybe I'm just a nervous mother. She is my first reptile and it's a whole new world for me!

 

[Embee]

Nervous beardie granny here, I totally understand! Glad I was able to help/reassure.

Feel free to post any more "nervous mommy" questions. You will receive lots of support from other overly cautious dragon parents, as this forum is chock-full of them. :wink:

The best,
Em