SPUDS NEW HOME

[spudtheredmorph]

Hello everyone!! New member here from Australia.

I've just rescued a new friend, Spud! He's a roughly 4 year old Red Morph.

He came with a 120 x 60 x 60cm enclosure running a 18w T8 10.0 UVB and had a 75w basking globe. The basking temps and distance from where it is to UVB seemed way to far. Since tried to bring it to around 30 - 35cm.

I've added a 2nd 100w globe for basking area to try and boost up temps. (Were way to low at maybe 24*) hitting up around the 37* for now.

Just wondering is a 30 - 35cm distance from UVB to basking spot ok for an 18w T8?

We only recieved him from previous owner yesterday due to them not feeling they had enough time for poor Spud.

I know its not perfect yet but will be adjusting everything within hours.

Thanks

 

[Sadie]

Hello everyone!! New member here from Australia.

I've just rescued a new friend, Spud! He's a roughly 4 year old Red Morph.

He came with a 120 x 60 x 60cm enclosure running a 18w T8 10.0 UVB and had a 75w basking globe. The basking temps and distance from where it is to UVB seemed way to far. Since tried to bring it to around 30 - 35cm.

I've added a 2nd 100w globe for basking area to try and boost up temps. (Were way to low at maybe 24*) hitting up around the 37* for now.

Just wondering is a 30 - 35cm distance from UVB to basking spot ok for an 18w T8?

We only recieved him from previous owner yesterday due to them not feeling they had enough time for poor Spud.

I know its not perfect yet but will be adjusting everything within hours.

Thanks View attachment 37696

Welcome to the forum and we need to tweek the tank lighting --- first how are you getting the surface basking temps? I see no temp gauges - I recommend getting 2 digital probe thermometers they are the most accurate - 95-100 for him - next UVB needs to be a T 5 and in a fixture -- I recommend getting a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb - the T 8 is not as strong for that size of a tank and it has no reflector -- you want a reflector to direct the rays downward toward him -this is going to give him the best exposure -- distance for the T5 is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece - also the hammock is nice for them but I recommend a cloth or fleece one - the grass ones and the green mesh cause all kinds of foot / nail injuries- you can find the cloth on etsy.com

Arcadia Pro T5 UVB Kit - Desert 12%

Highly adaptable lighting kit producing UV-rich light Links up to multiple kits Fix inside a vivarium or place upon a wire mesh glass terrarium

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Lighting Kit

Arcadia ProT5 Complete Reptile UV Lighting Kit Looking to provide your reptile with the best lighting solution available? Look no further than the Arcadia ProT5 Reptile UV Lighting Kit. This highly adaptable kit is designed to meet the specific needs of reptiles, offering exceptional quality and...

internetreptile.com

 

[spudtheredmorph]

Welcome to the forum and we need to tweek the tank lighting --- first how are you getting the surface basking temps? I see no temp gauges - I recommend getting 2 digital probe thermometers they are the most accurate - 95-100 for him - next UVB needs to be a T 5 and in a fixture -- I recommend getting a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb - the T 8 is not as strong for that size of a tank and it has no reflector -- you want a reflector to direct the rays downward toward him -this is going to give him the best exposure -- distance for the T5 is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece - also the hammock is nice for them but I recommend a cloth or fleece one - the grass ones and the green mesh cause all kinds of foot / nail injuries- you can find the cloth on etsy.com

Arcadia Pro T5 UVB Kit - Desert 12%

Highly adaptable lighting kit producing UV-rich light Links up to multiple kits Fix inside a vivarium or place upon a wire mesh glass terrarium

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Lighting Kit

Arcadia ProT5 Complete Reptile UV Lighting Kit Looking to provide your reptile with the best lighting solution available? Look no further than the Arcadia ProT5 Reptile UV Lighting Kit. This highly adaptable kit is designed to meet the specific needs of reptiles, offering exceptional quality and...

internetreptile.com

Hello and thanks for the informative response. Just using a temp gun currently to see basking temps. I've ordered a couple digital probe thermos. Just waiting on them.

While obviously after a bit of research a T5 I've seen is far superior just wondering with the T8 if I add a reflector can we get away with it for a small period. Until an upgrade.

What kind of distance would that need to be?

This set up just came with the beardie from previous owner and obviously will need to be tweaked and upgraded.

 

[Sadie]

Hello and thanks for the informative response. Just using a temp gun currently to see basking temps. I've ordered a couple digital probe thermos. Just waiting on them.

While obviously after a bit of research a T5 I've seen is far superior just wondering with the T8 if I add a reflector can we get away with it for a small period. Until an upgrade.

What kind of distance would that need to be?

This set up just came with the beardie from previous owner and obviously will need to be tweaked and upgraded.

Yes the T 8 will work but you want it in a fixture / hood w/ reflector and distance would need to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor --- the bulb needs to be replaced in approx 5-6 months - I would get the T 5 as soon as you can - if hes been under the T 8 all this time w/ no reflector hes not been getting adequate UVB --

 

[spudtheredmorph]

Yes the T 8 will work but you want it in a fixture / hood w/ reflector and distance would need to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor --- the bulb needs to be replaced in approx 5-6 months - I would get the T 5 as soon as you can - if hes been under the T 8 all this time w/ no reflector hes not been getting adequate UVB --

Just been doing some searching. This would be sufficient?

Arcadia T5 12% UVB 24w Lizard Light Combo Kit​

AU $169.00 each

 

[Sadie]

Just been doing some searching. This would be sufficient?

Arcadia T5 12% UVB 24w Lizard Light Combo Kit​

AU $169.00 each

View attachment 37697

Yes

 

[spudtheredmorph]

Yes

Thanks, so found the Arcadia T5 12% 24w Pro w Reflector for $163 delivered. So it has been purchased.

Will adjust bask height etc until it arrives in a day or so. Just to get him through. Surely if he's been for 4 years as is he can go another couple days!! Fingers crossed.