Light placement 4x2x2

[Mightaswell]

I'm confused on what to do about uvb lighting. I understand I need a 10.0 uvb bulb. I know not to use a cfl(spiral bulb). But I've read I should have a 36 inch hood. It should be offset to one side so there is a shady zone.
I've been told by a few pet stores and rescues that I should put a 48 inch 10.0uvb
I'm just trying to get the right size and placement. So any suggestions.
Also my enclosures inner width is just under 46.5 inches wall to wall. Its inner height and width is 22.5.
I dont know if it matters but I'm doing bioactive substrate and going to plant spineless prickly pear on the borders and a mulberry tree.

 

[Beardomania]

Make it easy on yourself and go with one mercury vapor bulb. Some reputable but expensive ($50-65) brands are T-Rex, Mega Ray, Arcadia, Powersun. I wouldn't do more than that because I know people who raise healthy big bright beardies from hatchling to adulthood on just one MVB bulb so I consider everything else extra.

If you're daring and experimental like me, try a Vivosun. I got 3 for $17 each shipping included. They're not highly reputable but they're cheap, there are reports of people keeping healthy reptiles with them, and at least one person claims to have verified the UVB output by Solarmeter to be as good as the big brands. I've used this bulb for a few months perfectly but if I notice anything going on that suggests unadequate UVB, I will switch out.

There's one for $25 on ebay but currently sold out from the direct source (which sells through eBay, Amazon, and Walmart) which typically sold them for no more than $20 from the last batch.

Vivosun 125W Reptile Bulb Basking Heat Lizard Vapor Light Free Shipping | eBay

<p>Vivosun 125W grow light / Reptile Bulb Basking Heat Lizard Vapor Light Free Shipping. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS First Class Package.</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[BeardieLover<3]

I'm confused on what to do about uvb lighting. I understand I need a 10.0 uvb bulb. I know not to use a cfl(spiral bulb). But I've read I should have a 36 inch hood. It should be offset to one side so there is a shady zone.
I've been told by a few pet stores and rescues that I should put a 48 inch 10.0uvb
I'm just trying to get the right size and placement. So any suggestions.
Also my enclosures inner width is just under 46.5 inches wall to wall. Its inner height and width is 22.5.
I dont know if it matters but I'm doing bioactive substrate and going to plant spineless prickly pear on the borders and a mulberry tree.

Yes a 10.0 bulb is what you need. There are other bulbs out there such as MVB but alot of reptile owners use tube uvb's and are said to be the best. I think the 36" hood is correct, if you check out this webiste it comes with the hood, and a 5.0 bulb. So you would need to get another 10.0 bulb but the 5.0 can be used as a backup. ReptiSun T5 HO Light Fixture | Pangea Reptile | Zoo Med. Placment should be 12-15 inches above basking decor to my knowledge

 

[Mightaswell]

How many watt mercury vapor? I was going to use one as a bask bulb anyways.

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

How many watt mercury vapor? I was going to use one as a bask bulb anyways.

I would get a strip uv. As well if you want a vapor

 

[Beardomania]

How many watt mercury vapor? I was going to use one as a bask bulb anyways.

How old is your dragon? How hot is your ambient temperature? The basking temps achieved are determined by bulb placement and room temperature and the temperature of the the enclosure is determined also by size and its insular design.

If your dragon is a baby, aim to achieve a 110 degree basking spot. If your dragon is an adult, aim to achieve a 95-100 degree basking spot. Cool side should be 75-85.

I have an adult dragon and my room temps are 72 degrees. I use a Vivosun 125W and I hang it 16 inches above his basking spot. I achieve 105-107 degrees in the basking center-point and 83 degrees on his cool side. (I do not wanna raise it further up because the UV output decreases significantly with distance). So being an adult, he likes to hang out at just a little off center from the hottest point and that zone is about 95-98 degrees. (Temps drop fast from the hottest focal point so he is just a few, perhaps 3-5, centimeters from it.)

 

[Mightaswell]

My dragon is young. 7 inches. I was planning on using a uvb and mercury vapor so plans have not changed.
Atm the cold side is 95 and the basking spot is 110. But I just finished polyurethane it's new enclosure so I cannot tell you temps as I dont have lights yet...
But a 36 inch 10.0 uvb and a 150w mercury vapor i think are the direction I'm headed, as well as a 3 ft full spectrum led that I already have for the plants.

 

[Sadie]

I'm confused on what to do about uvb lighting. I understand I need a 10.0 uvb bulb. I know not to use a cfl(spiral bulb). But I've read I should have a 36 inch hood. It should be offset to one side so there is a shady zone.
I've been told by a few pet stores and rescues that I should put a 48 inch 10.0uvb
I'm just trying to get the right size and placement. So any suggestions.
Also my enclosures inner width is just under 46.5 inches wall to wall. Its inner height and width is 22.5.
I dont know if it matters but I'm doing bioactive substrate and going to plant spineless prickly pear on the borders and a mulberry tree.

You can use a 24" hood w/ a Reptisun 10 T 5- if you go w/ a mvb your going to need to add another uvb-- mvb's are really good for heat but getting the correct distance for heat and UVB often throws the UVB off where they aren't getting enough uvb-- that is why another uvb is often recommended- if you need help placing the hood please ask I can help

 

[Mightaswell]

You can use a 24" hood w/ a Reptisun 10 T 5- if you go w/ a mvb your going to need to add another uvb-- mvb's are really good for heat but getting the correct distance for heat and UVB often throws the UVB off where they aren't getting enough uvb-- that is why another uvb is often recommended- if you need help placing the hood please ask I can help

I was and still am planning on using both, but wasnt aware about mercury vapor producing uvb. I have 2 ten inch dome heat clamp lamps with 330w capacity sockets I am going to use for the mercury vapor bulbs for heat, just dont know what wattage to maintain heat. And I'll get a 24 inch 10.0. Should all of this be offset to one side to allow the opposite side shade and coolness?

 

[Sadie]

I was and still am planning on using both, but wasnt aware about mercury vapor producing uvb. I have 2 ten inch dome heat clamp lamps with 330w capacity sockets I am going to use for the mercury vapor bulbs for heat, just dont know what wattage to maintain heat. And I'll get a 24 inch 10.0. Should all of this be offset to one side to allow the opposite side shade and coolness?

If you plan on getting a MVB get either a Mega Ray or a Power Sun -- you will probably need the 160 watt ONLY ONE-- and you can use the 24 inch fixture in the middle of the tank - make sure its 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor and the MVB should be unobstructed w/ a distance of 14-16 inches and w/ screen 8-10 inches just make sure you have a digital probe thermometer --- w/ farther distances of the MVB it will make less UVB rays that is why its suggested to have the tube fixture as well so they can get the UVB rays they need --- it will give him the option of sitting under UVB if hes not getting it w/ the MVB

 

[Mightaswell]

Will the uvb strip and single mvb and 2 10w full spectrum led t5s be enough light to keep the cactus and tree alive? I want to put spineless prickly pear and a mulberry tree inside.

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Will the uvb strip and single mvb and 2 10w full spectrum led t5s be enough light to keep the cactus and tree alive? I want to put spineless prickly pear and a mulberry tree inside.

If you want to keep plants alive then also get a led light or a grow light

 

[Mightaswell]

I have 2 integrated 12 inch full spectrum 10w leds(purple lights) and 1 integrated 24 inch 6500k 20w led together in one circuit. Kinda cool how they just slide together or connect via little cords. I have a 160w mvb on hand as well. I also have a 150w che for night time heat just in case. The 24 inch uvb 10.0 seems to be the only thing I need to get.

 

[Sadie]

I have 2 integrated 12 inch full spectrum 10w leds(purple lights) and 1 integrated 24 inch 6500k 20w led together in one circuit. Kinda cool how they just slide together or connect via little cords. I have a 160w mvb on hand as well. I also have a 150w che for night time heat just in case. The 24 inch uvb 10.0 seems to be the only thing I need to get.

I don't think colored lights should be in the tank - they cause eye issues -

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

I don't think colored lights should be in the tank - they cause eye issues -

10p% take the coolers light out please

 

[Mightaswell]

They are not "colored light" they are different wavelengths of visible and ultraviolet light for growing plants. Which is why they are purple. The diodes are red/blue/green but the light together is a dim purple.