UTH question.

[Shawn Martin]

Hello, I am newbie owner of a 1 yr old bearded dragon. I bought a set up from a person that goes like this: 55 gallon tank, 75W basking bulb, 2 fluorescent UV lights, temp/humidity gauge and UTH. The UTH is attached to the side of the tank instead of under. My question is... is the UTH really going to be effective under the tank if there is a inch of what looks like sand but is really crushed walnuts? Seems like the "sand" would be a barrier and the heat wouldn't transfer through. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hdrydr31]

Hello, I am newbie owner of a 1 yr old bearded dragon. I bought a set up from a person that goes like this: 55 gallon tank, 75W basking bulb, 2 fluorescent UV lights, temp/humidity gauge and UTH. The UTH is attached to the side of the tank instead of under. My question is... is the UTH really going to be effective under the tank if there is a inch of what looks like sand but is really crushed walnuts? Seems like the "sand" would be a barrier and the heat wouldn't transfer through. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum and to beardies!! We love pictures here.. Off the top I would say a few things: A 55gal is really too narrow for an adult since most can get up to 24" long. They should be able to comfortably turn around without hitting the sides. You don't want to use UTH that are actually under the tank because beardies can't sense heat from below they only sense it from above. So UTH can actually burn them..They were likely using it on the side of the tank to help keep the heat up as with a 55 it is a bit hard to keep the correct temps.. (I started out with 1 until she was an adult then switched to 40g breeders for all 3 of mine)
The substrate is another topic: Beardies lick their environment this is how they learn where they are and form memories, so with that being said each time they can potentially ingest the substrate and over time they can become impacted..Then there is the fact of bacteria, smells, can get in their eyes/nostrils causing issues..crushed walnut isn't smooth so it can cause issues inside them.

I hope that helps, under several of our comments you will find some links, in the link general info for 1st timers will give you everything you may need to help you on this journey... It is also found in the general info section.

 

[Shawn Martin]

Thanks... I switched to a 100W basking lamp and it keeps it around 95*. I also purchased beige reptile carpet. What do you all think is the best substrate?

 

[KrissyLeigh]

I second everything Hdrydr31 said. Something additional to consider - 55 gallons are pretty tall tanks, so make sure you check to make sure the uvb will actually reach your beardie - it should say on the box or manufacturers website to what depth the UV will penetrate. Not much point having the light if the UV rays can't reach him!!!

Substrate is a matter of preference, as long as it is safe. Sand and crushed walnuts are dangerous. I like easy, so I use nonadhesive shelf liner with slate tiles - easy to clean, the slate keeps his nails down, and if the liner gets super gross I just throw it out and replace it. $10 at the hardware store gives me 3 liners to use, each of which can last over a month.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I have shelf liner on the bottom and I use ceramic tiles

 

[Shawn Martin]

The heat /UV lamp is about 5"-6" away from the log he sits on. Hopefully that's close enough absorb some rays. And I bought repti carpet that is washable. Maybe I'll do the slate tile thing after the carpet gets nasty.

 

[Shawn Martin]

I just checked the Powersun 100W chart and according to it I have the lamp too close. It says 12"-24" away from the animal. I measured and its about 8"-9" away now. I have plenty of room to pull it back.
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