Tips with enclosure

[Jlasnier94]

Hey all!
New bearded dragon owner here. I’m just wondering how you think of my setup and if it’s ok. I just got my beardie a week ago. He’s 4 months old and his diet consists of dubias as well as turnip, mustard greens. Basking spot is currently 105 cool side is 72. UVB tube is reptisun 10.0 T8. Currently housed in a 40 gallon breeder. Thanks for your time!! Btw he’s been glass surfing the past couple of days. I have a 3-side background coming in the mail. He eats about 30-40 dubias

 

[Jlasnier94]

Tank set up looks good but you need to move your T 8 directly over him since I am not seeing a reflector on the fixture and w/ no reflector those UVB rays are going every where but to him and it should be 6-8 inches away ------------ if you want to get a reflector for the fixture I can give you a website to order one - its up to you

That would be great! Would I still be able to mount it on the inside? I heard that t8 fixtures don’t do well with mesh screens and his basking spot is pretty high to use a t5

 

[Jlasnier94]

The T 8 needs to be inside the tank because of the screen - it filters out approx 30% of the UVB rays so yes leave it inside the tank just either mount it above him 6-8 inches from basking decor w/ no reflector or get a reflector for the fixture its up to you - I can give you some ideas of how to hang above him - if you get a reflector it can stay where its at and the basking decor would need to be 8-10 inches away

Some ideas would be nice! Also a link to the reflector would be great

 

[Jlasnier94]

ok here are some ideas for hanging
command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line -- shoe laces-- or wire from hanging potted plants etc

Here is the website for reflectors - just make sure your ordering the T 8 and the size fixture
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/mi.../arcadia-flourescent-lamp-reflectors-new-hot/
If I was to get a t5 fixture would I put it on top of the mesh? My only concern would be the basking light preventing it from putting it directly overhead

 

[Jlasnier94]

Thank you so much. I’ll probably end up using the log for the secondary piece. He loves jumping back and forth

 

[Jlasnier94]

Yes you can get the T 5 and put it on top of screen --- it would need to sit approx 8-10 inches from your decor piece --- the screen will filter out 30% of the rays -- you can sit the fixture off to the side if the basking light is going to prevent it from being next to it -- he will go to the light he needs - so if you haft to set both one in front of the other and have two different decor pieces that is fine - mine are set up different - I have the basking light to the back and the UVB is set up in the front of the tanks - both my dragons go to what ever light they need -- here is a pic of Blazes tank -

So I went out today to buy a piece of decor for his Uv spot. I ordered a 24 inch t5 hood. Hopefully it helps. Here’s some pics

 

[Jlasnier94]

All set! T5 came in! Measure 9 1/2 at heighest point and 8 1/2 at lowest point on the log

 

[Jlasnier94]

Yep there’s a screen

 

[Jlasnier94]

Yeah today he started gaping a lot more frequently while basking. His basking temp is 103-104. He seems to be happy

 

[Jlasnier94]

He’s enjoying his uv light

 

[Jlasnier94]

He’s not eating much today. Only thing I changed was the uvb yesterday. I removed his background as well yesterday because he was stressing out running into the glass. Is this normal if you change the uvb. I checked his basking temp and it’s at 102-103. He has started shedding around his mouth.

 

[Jlasnier94]

Distances are good. Haven’t changed that. He hasn't been bothered by his reflection

 

[Jlasnier94]

He ate this morning about 7 dubias. Right now he’s hanging out on his basking area

 

[Jlasnier94]

He’s been enjoying turnip and mustard greens.