how long are your lights on?

[cody]

I got a timer for the uvb and basking I notice the times I turn the lights on and off were very sporadic so I figured I should get a timer. Right now its set for 8am to 10pm. Should I change that or is that ok ?

another question, is my uvb positioned incorrectly ? See picture. I mounted it inside the tank thinking it would be more efficient because it's closer and not on top of a screen. Could it be bad because its not coming from above, kind of up at an angle. Any insight is appreciated thanks.

 

[PatsyB]

8am-10pm is okay. Mine are on from 6am-8pm. It works for me because they can warm up a bit and I have time to feed them before I go to work.

 

[cody]

8am-10pm is okay. Mine are on from 6am-8pm. It works for me because they can warm up a bit and I have time to feed them before I go to work.

Thanks, do you have anything to say about my uvb light placement?

 

[PatsyB]

Personally I'm not sure. I thought I read that they can cause eye problems if they are on the side of the dragon.

 

[Noella]

I have mine laying across the tank, exposed without the screen. I heard the screen filters out some of the UVB.

 

[PatsyB]

I have mine laying across the screen of the tank. I switched out from the t8 HO bulbs to the T5 HO bulbs because I heard they were better with the mesh.

 

[cody]

I have mine laying across the tank, exposed without the screen. I heard the screen filters out some of the UVB.

If you have no screen what's holding the basking light. I wanted to take the screen off and put the uvb across but then there's nowhere for the basking light

 

[Noella]

I've been using a half screen and half no screen for a uvb.

 

[alalsip]

Cody, your uvb is positioned incorrectly. The uvb should be overhead, not mounted to the side. That is probably what is causing your little guys eye yuck. Mount it on the top and his eye should clear up.

 

[cody]

Cody, your uvb is positioned incorrectly. The uvb should be overhead, not mounted to the side. That is probably what is causing your little guys eye yuck. Mount it on the top and his eye should clear up.

Cody, your uvb is positioned incorrectly. The uvb should be overhead, not mounted to the side. That is probably what is causing your little guys eye yuck. Mount it on the top and his eye should clear up.

I put it there because I thought it wouldn't be efficient enough because of the screen. I'll have to figure something out.

 

[alalsip]

I put it there because I thought it wouldn't be efficient enough because of the screen. I'll have to figure something out.

We took the end caps off our light and carefully drilled through it so we could mount it overhead. I don't believe it has to be in the center, but at least overhead so your dragon isn't looking into the light. Here's my set up

 

[Dawn McNair]

I used heavy duty Velcro to attach our light to the top.

 

[cody]

Thanks guys. Ya I got Velcro to. I work at home depot so I'll find something. Are thoes 2 T5 bulbs?

 

[alalsip]

Nope, just one t5 10.0 bulb

 

[Mushuandcricket]

I was going to get the Exo Terra at one time & was wondering how I would mount the light in the enclosure. Where ever you put it you want it over were the dragon is basking and on the cool side on a branch etc. were it may hang out . I use industrial velcro that is 2" wide & 4' long to hold up some of my lights in some of my reptile enclosures if you have a heavy screen or brace to attach too. I am not sure how supportive the top is were the screen is.
Another thought if it is not you could remove the screen on the top and purchase another one that hinges. I bought a screen lid that has a hinge down the middle for my 40 gallon breeder which is 36". If you have the Exo terra that is 36" length by 18" width it is the same size as my 40 gallon breeder which this screen fits.I don't know how long your tubes are but the Zoomed T5HO lights are long enough 38" to fit across the top of the breeder. I Gorilla taped it and the back part of the screen to the tank to keep it from moving. Since it is hinged down the middle I can simply open the front side that is not taped down to feed etc. This is working well with my 40 gallon breeder. They sell it at Petco for 40 gallon breeders & 50 gallon tanks. I really like this lid it is strong enough if my cat decides to jump up it will hold her op. I have the basking light above the screen since its just for heat and I don't have to worry sbout UVB being blocked. My Petco normally has them on stock but they didn't when I needed it so I purchased it on their online store. I am not sure if this will help or not as I am not sure how the top is of your enclosure. Here is a link.The large one I am talking about is at the bottom. It is on sale for $19.99. http://www.petco.com/product/4357/Petco-Heat-Resistant-Screen-Top.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch