basking spot

[Duane Howell]

Hi hello all. maybe this is a dumb question.... but does it matter how far the basking spot is from the light source? Lets say I use a 100 watt bulb 15 inches away to get the basking spot up to 100*f. Will it make any difference to use a 50 watt bulb 8 inches away to get the same spot to 100*f? Wont the amount of "light" the dragon receives be less from the 50watt than the 100watt. Or would any amount of light be enough if it gets the basking spot up to 100. Where I stay the ambient temps are high and need to place the bulb far away from the basking spot so not to overheat this area. Does it matter how far the dragon is from the bulb as long as the temperature of the basking spot is correct? Thanks for any info.....

 

[Sal329]

I would think as long as the BD can not come in direct contact with the bulb all should be ok. My BD has a platform that stays around 108-110 then below the platform is a spot that stays 99-101 and still in the light from the lamp.

 

[PatsyB]

The light should be about 6 inches or more away from the basking spot. You don't want them to get burned. Keep in mind with your basking spot that your dragon is going to sit on it, so it's back will be at least another inch closer to the light. So if it's 105 at the spot, when your dragons sit there it's back could be 107.

 

[Duane Howell]

Ok.. So..... Lets say the basking spot is the correct temp, but 20 inches from the light.... Its still going to be good enough? Ass long as the basking spot temperature is within range its fine? Let me tell you why.. Where I'm from the ambient temps are high. For me to get a big 120 gallon viv at the correct temps I only need a small bulb of 30 watt to get the temps up to 100. And even then it goes over 100 during the course of the day. So the basking bulb is rather "far" from the beardie to get the correct temps at the basking spot. Is it correct for me to say that there is no maximum distance away from the uv-a bulb as compared to the uv-b where the beardie should be "within range" of the rays?

 

[PatsyB]

You are correct. As long as the basking area is the correct temp it doesn't matter how far away the spot is from the light as long as it is at least 6 inches away.

 

[Duane Howell]

Ok thanks a lot. Feel much better hearing that. Thank you for the replies.