New Enclosure

[Taryn Prince]

Hey guys, I’m upgrading my 8 month old males enclosure this week to a 90 gallon. Anything that should be changed from his previous to the new one? I’ve attached photos of his current enclosure below, it’s a 40 gallon breeder and he’s almost 13 inches now.

 

[Sadie]

Hey guys, I’m upgrading my 8 month old males enclosure this week to a 90 gallon. Anything that should be changed from his previous to the new one? I’ve attached photos of his current enclosure below, it’s a 40 gallon breeder and he’s almost 13 inches now. View attachment 23394View attachment 23395

Your tank looks good --- are you using a MVB for your basking / UVB? If so what brand and what wattage please

 

[Taryn Prince]

I use a Zoo Med 100W basking bulb and a Zoo Med 26W UVB bulb

 

[Taryn Prince]

Your tank looks good --- are you using a MVB for your basking / UVB? If so what brand and what wattage please

I use a Zoo Med 100W basking bulb and a Zoo Med 26W UVB bulb

 

[Sadie]

I use a Zoo Med 100W basking bulb and a Zoo Med 26W UVB bulb

Ok so I am not a big fan of coil UVB's -- here is some info for you on those
Which UVB light should I use?

The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
Here is some info on the 26 watt
The 26w version of the UVB150 is similar in output to a T8 tube when using a reflector. The beam isn't as wide (depending on the length of the tube) but the output strength is very similar. If it was sitting about 6-8'' above the main basking area unobstructed then it was likely providing adequate UVB. It's the lower wattage (13w) versions that cause concern since they aren't strong enough to provide adequate UVB at a safe distance.
Ok so on that note I would recommend you get a tube fixture for your new tank --- you can keep your coil but it must be in a reflective dome and unobstructed approx 6-8 inches from his basking spot--
The reason I asked about the MVB is a lot of times the distance is too far for UVB when trying to get the correct basking temps and I often recommend getting a tube fixture as well just so the dragon is getting the UVB he needs --
So you decide on what you want to do but I recommend getting the tube fixture -- a 24" for your 90 gallon tank -- its going to be trial and error w/ the basking bulbs as far as getting your basking temps to what they need to be
You dont want to get a full length UVB fixture - they need to be able to get out of those UVB rays w/ out having to hide from them -- If you need anymore help please ask and I will help you out as much as I can

 

[Taryn Prince]

Thank you for the information! I will definitely get a tube fixture for this enclosure.

just to make sure I have my info right,

reptisun 10.0 T5 light- that is 24”?
and then my coil basking is okay as long as it is close enough and warm enough for my beardie?

also I’ve read that the tube fixture should stretch the full length of the tank not half, Can too much UVB harm my beardie?

 

[Sadie]

Thank you for the information! I will definitely get a tube fixture for this enclosure.

just to make sure I have my info right,

reptisun 10.0 T5 light- that is 24”?
and then my coil basking is okay as long as it is close enough and warm enough for my beardie?

also I’ve read that the tube fixture should stretch the full length of the tank not half, Can too much UVB harm my beardie?

Yes but its not recommended for a full length UVB fixture- you dont want him hiding from the UVB's how long is the 90 gallon tank ? Your coil basking light its a bright white bulb -- sometimes those coils can hurt their eyes - if you have not had any issues w/ it your probably fine -- the next time you change it out you might want to go to a regular bright white basking bulb -- sometimes people use halogen lights or sometimes people can get away w/ using a regular HH bulb like these

I cannot use them they do not keep my tanks warm enough -- I haft to use the bright white basking bulbs from Exo Terra -- and yes you want a fixture like this - its pretty reasonable from other places and the shipping is really good - these people are fast and good https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html 24" fixture depending on the length of the your tank this fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb - keep it for a back up - its not as strong as the 10.0 and is more for aquarium use and is equivalent to a T 8-- you want this bulb
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html 22" or this bulb this bulb is also very good
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-reptile-bulb.html 22"

 

[Taryn Prince]

Yes but its not recommended for a full length UVB fixture- you dont want him hiding from the UVB's how long is the 90 gallon tank ? Your coil basking light its a bright white bulb -- sometimes those coils can hurt their eyes - if you have not had any issues w/ it your probably fine -- the next time you change it out you might want to go to a regular bright white basking bulb -- sometimes people use halogen lights or sometimes people can get away w/ using a regular HH bulb like theseView attachment 23396
I cannot use them they do not keep my tanks warm enough -- I haft to use the bright white basking bulbs from Exo Terra -- and yes you want a fixture like this - its pretty reasonable from other places and the shipping is really good - these people are fast and good https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html 24" fixture depending on the length of the your tank this fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb - keep it for a back up - its not as strong as the 10.0 and is more for aquarium use and is equivalent to a T 8-- you want this bulb
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html 22" or this bulb this bulb is also very good
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-reptile-bulb.html 22"

Thank you so much, you’ve been a great help. My 90 gallon is 48” wide

 

[Sadie]

Thank you so much, you’ve been a great help. My 90 gallon is 48” wide

Wide or long?

 

[Taryn Prince]

Wide or long?

48 long sorry

48long
18 wide
24 tall

 

[Sadie]

48 long sorry

48long
18 wide
24 tall

So you could get the 30" fixture it's up to you the strength of the Ray's aren't going to change-- just the area of basking--- he will get more basking area- so the T 5 will be good since the tank is 24" tall- is there going to be a screen? If so is it a fine mesh-- like a screen door or wide holed like a dime?

 

[Taryn Prince]

So you could get the 30" fixture it's up to you the strength of the Ray's aren't going to change-- just the area of basking--- he will get more basking area- so the T 5 will be good since the tank is 24" tall- is there going to be a screen? If so is it a fine mesh-- like a screen door or wide holed like a dime?
[/QUOIt is more of a fine mesh so I will be mounting it inside the enclosure

 

[Sadie]

Yep so it's up to you on the length-- that T 5 needs to be 12-15 inches from basking decor-- if you need anymore help please ask