UVB ....

[Draycebaby2014]

hey guys

so i'm up grading from a 4 foot tank to a 5 foot tank for my lizard

and i currently have an 18" bulb for his uvb

and i'm wondering if i need to increase the size of the uvb ?

just because units are horribly expensive and money is tight right now

if you guys need more info let me know thanks again

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Are you referring to the length of the tube bulb UVB? Which brand are you using & how old it is?
How far is the tube from him?
Normally we recommend that the UVB source stretch three quarters of the length of the tank, but an 18 inch bulb would be adequate too. If you have the tube bulb placed directly by his basking light & he sits under it enough then that will be fine.

Tracie

 

[Draycebaby2014]

I use the repti glo 10.0

The length is 18"

And I have a ramp set up he can get about 8 inches away from the light though it's not often I see him up there lol

I have it placed intop of the screen lid about half an inch away from his basking light sometimes closer (I'm worried the plastic will melt if they are too close together )

I think that's everything u asked me lol

Also I did try to find a way to mount it inside but I have yet to find a safe way to do that were he can't lick it or something cuz knowing my drayce he would lol

 

[Draycebaby2014]

I'm also due to change the bulb in a month or so lol

 

[Draycebaby2014]

He also spends Alot of time on top of his hubba hut wich is more on the uvb side lol

 

[CooperDragon]

I would definitely try to get the UVB light inside the tank because the mesh top will intercept quite a bit of the UVB. The optimal distance for those lights is 6-8'' above the basking spot. When you're due to replace the light I suggest getting an 18'' T8 ReptiSun 10.0 or Arcadia bulb because those have shown consistent high quality. I've attached some test results from the ReptiSun 10.0 that show the difference between having a screen under the bulb vs no screen. Ideal basking site UVI is between 3-5.

 

[Draycebaby2014]

okay awesome i do have a T8 reptisun on order at work ( phew i had to double check lol)

when the new tank comes in i will discus it with my bf and see if we can rig something up.

my next question is with the new tank being bigger should
I get a longer bulb??


the tank will be the same height but its about a foot longer and a few inches wider. idk if the over all surface area of the tank effects the uvb at all .... other than figuring out how to mount it inside that is my other worry....

 

[CooperDragon]

As long as the UVB light is long enough to cover the basking area well it should be OK. I like to have the UVB light cover at least half the length of the enclosure but it's not a hard set rule. If you need proper output at greater distance (usually the case in a larger tank) I'd move to a T5 fixture and bulb. That will be a bit costly up front though and isn't urgent as long as you can get your T8 within the 6-8'' unobstructed to provide proper UVB output to the basking area. They can sense and regulate heat and UVB so they just move around as needed and don't need high levels of UVB throughout the tank.

 

[Draycebaby2014]

okay awesome!! i will play it by ear and see how his behavior goes with the bigger tank with the bulb i am getting and see how that goes if i do end up going larger i will drop down to the t5 as you suggested the tank is remaining the same heigh which i believe is about 18 inches but with more width and length i'll be able to build him a better elevation set up so that he can get closer to the light if he chooses too. ( i think he's afraid of heights lol if beardies can be afraid of stuff like that lol)

my new battle will be finding a turrarium lid that fits the new tank lol

i'm thinking we might have to jsut make a bigger one




thanks again