UVB through windows

[Vacren]

This post is a continuation from the ER thread.

Modern windows (produced in the past 30-40 years) filter ~99% of UVB. After 15 years of use the filtered UVB is decreased 40%. Sitting your beardie in the window will NOT result in any significant amount of UVB absorption. Your beardie requires 16 hours of direct and unfiltered UVB to metabolize food and prevent MBD.

That said, if your dragon likes being in the window then by all means allow it, don't expect any health benefit from it.

BeardedDragon6, as far as your dusting schedule goes, I'll PM you.

 

[AHBD]

First off, it's a good thing this is being addressed, good idea Vacren to start this thread, it will clear up that mistaken idea.I agree that the glass blocks the UVB, I see alot of confusion about that very subject. Your animal is NOT getting UVB if it sits in the brightest window if there is glass blocking it. But, I'd like to add,they do do need 16 hours of UVB at all. My animals go outside all spring through fall for 40 minutes to several hours a day and I don't use any UVB lights in their enclosures for the rest of the day,for the entire season, just a bright light for heat. About 40 minutes in the sun provides all the UVB needed daily, but of course the heat lamp/ basking bulb is on all day when the dragons are brought back in. I've done that for almost 17 years, with my chameleons as well. As for 16 hours of UVB provided by a bulb in the enclosure, that's a bit much,really the lights are generally on for 12-13 hours daily.

 

[Vacren]

I should probably clarify then... I provide 16 hours/day of UVB. It has shown marked improvement over the 12 hour schedule being used by a friend who purchased one of Vesta's "siblings". As of last week Vesta was 59g 30cm, her sister was 43g 22cm. Both are on roughly the same diet of mustard greens, reptiworms, and crickets. I understand that this would not be absolutely true in all cases, but it works for me and my babies are all fat and happy.

 

[Drache613]

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