Is it ok to place lights this way?

[raydeon]

so i have a 24x48. perfect size for a bearded dragon. but as you can see the light bulb socket and the uvb light are side by side. which means the bd is not going to be within range of the uvb while basking. so i changed the setup a little bit and put the light like this as shown in pic. the idea is to have the bd within range of uvb while basking.

is there anything wrong with placing the light side ways like thia? because ive noticed that he no longer likes to be on the wood anymore and hides underneath it.

 

[drzebra]

Light coming from the side like that could be too intense because it shines right into his eyes at that angle. Is there any way to get the basking light to shine from the top?

I'd also put it on the other side of the enclosure so that he has somewhere to go if he wants out of the light.

 

[raydeon]

i would have to get a taller clamp for a higj angle of thats the case...

thx!

any other expert inputs please?

 

[MisterD83]

Beardie eyes can be very sensitive, just like our own. IF someone were to shine a light directly into your eyes you'd turn away or place your hand up instinctively to shield your eyes from the light. The beardie is moving to do the same thing.

In your post you mentioned that he doesn't like the basking spot anymore since you put the basking lamp at 90 degrees or so, I'd say that's expert enough right there with drzebra telling you why.

In researching for making a terrarium I found some high watt ceramic fixtures, why not replace that night light (the bulb looks like its a black light) fixture with a a high watt ceramic fixture and put your basking bulb there?

 

[donprec]

I'm wondering if any extra heat is necessary at all? I got my wooden enclosures almost 2 months ago and I'm still working on trying to get the heat/temps right. These enclosures hold the heat well...maybe too well. If I used the basking and heat light for Precious...I'd be baking her! While I did use a CHE on some nights when Precious was in the aquarium, I don't use it at all now. Her night temps now range between 72-74.
It's just my own opinion but I would get rid of the black light and replace it with the basking bulb. I've had to come down a lot of watts since the enclosures. I've been testing different watts but for the past maybe 2 weeks, I've stuck with the 50w...but while Precious's cage is the same length and width as yours, I think hers is higher (2 ft). The 50w brings the basking area to a good temp but there's not as much of a cooling gradient, the cool side is still warmer than I'd prefer. But when I dropped to 40w, the cool side was good but the basking area should have been hotter. I have seriously been driving myself nuts trying to get this right!
My skink's cage is the same length and width but only 18 inches high. The skinks don't like it quite as hot as the beardeds but I actually use a 25w in her cage now. Again, I spent some time testing it often before I was convinced that I could comfortably keep her with that low watt.
But again, this is just my own experience. Your temps could be completely different from mine.

 

[jarich]

Yes, I would also recommend getting rid of the black light and putting the basking bulb back into that fixture. Then move the UVB light down so that it is next to the basking bulb. This will give you the combination of basking heat and highest UV exposure like you rightly are looking for. Good job for knowing that they should go side by side!

Looks like your little guy/girl could use some more 'stuff' in there though. They are a little more intimidated when little so its always good to have lots of hides and 'furniture' in there to give them places to move through your thermogradient without feeling exposed. It will also help it settle in faster and provides a more enriched environment.