UVB

[reptilianboy831]

I have a friend who has 2 beardies, and he has only one MVB. And he just switches cages, every 6 hours duing the day. Is this enough UVB, or do they need it all the time?

 

[Embee]

Hello,

Ideally, a beardie should receive 12-14 hours of "daylight" per day. In particular, babies and juveniles who are fed live feeders 2-3 time per day as many as they can eat in 10-15 minutes, the basking time is essential, as they need to bask 1 1/2 - 2 hours before AND after meals. Many young dragons can and will consume up to 50-100 live feeders in a day, so the length of basking time (before and after eating) is absolutely essential for thorough digestion and calcium processing. What are the ages of your friend's beardies?

IMHO, I would have to say that the amount of UVB the dragons are receiving is quite slim, possibly to the detriment of their health and growth. Additionally, the cut UVB time could very likely fail to stimulate proper appetite and subsequently, their growth, and I imagine cause them mental stress as well.

May I ask, WHICH MVB is your friend using? There is one on the market currently that has been causing problems for dragons (The ZooMed PowerSun). See more information here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=105419&hilit= (just FYI, in case).

The best,
Em

 

[reptilianboy831]

Hes just doing this for about a week before he builds a a wooden cage for one. Then theyll each have their own UVB source.
Right now hes using a T-rex MVB and they get about an hour of actual sunlight per day.
One is about 4-6 weeks old and the other is about 7 months.

 

[Embee]

Hes just doing this for about a week before he builds a a wooden cage for one. Then theyll each have their own UVB source.
Right now hes using a T-rex MVB and they get about an hour of actual sunlight per day.
One is about 4-6 weeks old and the other is about 7 months.

I'd say as long as the heat is kept up to proper levels, they will be fine with limited UVB, temporarily. Is your friend using at least a regular basking bulb for the tank that isn't getting UVB? This would be my main concern.

The T-Rex is a great bulb. And at the very least, while they ARE getting UVB, it's quality UVB. :mrgreen:

The best,
Em

 

[reptilianboy831]

Yea, for the little one, the basking temp is about 107 or so. And so far they seem to be doing great. Me and him are going to go find some melamime, because were going to build our cages at the same time. So within the next week or so, the cages will be up and functioning.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That amount is fine for short term, as long as they have optimal basking temps when they are not under the T-rex MVB. Great he is building another enclosure too & they will each have their own UVB once he is completed with his project.

Tracie

 

[reptilianboy831]

Thanks for the input guys and girls!

 

[Embee]

Thanks for the input guys and girls!

LOL, just girls ( :arrow: women). :wink:

You are most welcome. Hope all goes well with the building of the new enclosure!

Em

 

[reptilianboy831]

haha, thanks again girls!