UVA/UVB or lights out?

[leximom]

My question is this:
Can I have the UVA light on during the day (the basking one) and then put the UVB one on at night while the basking light is off? The reason I ask is because I don't have room to set them both up on top of the tank. But I'm not sure it's good for beardies to have constant light like that (night & day)...

I might try to find a smaller dome shade for the clamp lamp but if this solution of one during the day and one at night is okay, I won't worry about it.

Thank you in advance! ^_^

 

[timbalan]

No its not ok. They need darkness at night. What size tank do you have. Pics?

 

[leximom]

Thank you for responding! I was just about to post & say that it made the most sense to turn them off because that's what happens in the desert.

The tank she's in is a ten gallon & I think it's gotta be too small. She's about 12"-13" long. Seems she should be in a 20 gallon at *least*. So I'll need to look into that.
I'm getting a 5.5" clamp lamp & that will make it so I can set up both lights. So yay for that!
I will see if I can post a pic...

 

[leximom]

 

[timbalan]

Oh my. Yes at that length a 10 gal is way way to small. Even for a baby a 10 gal isnt the right size because you cant get the temp gradient they need. You need a 40 gal breeder tank. They are about 36"Lx18"Wx18"T. That is the minimum that is recomended.once you get a bigger tank than you can mount that uvb you have right to the inside of the tank just under the too lip. And you may not have to get a different clamp light. He does look good otherwise. Looks like hes kinda got a half smile going on.

 

[leximom]

It does look like a smile, doesn't it?? ^_^

Yeah I had a hunch this tank was too small. I could just tell by looking at it -- Rexi can hardly go anywhere! *I* wouldn't want to live 24/7 in a place where I could hardly go anywhere. So I will be tank shopping, for sure.

Thanks for the help!

 

[leximom]

P.S. What is a temp gradient?

 

[timbalan]

He will need it about 105-110° at his basking spot and about 80-85° on the cool side. So he can regulate his body temp on his own. Also a temp guage with a probe or a infared temp gun should be used to measure temps properly. Ill put a pic of mine on here so you have an idea

 

[timbalan]

the two things in each corner are my temp gauges i have one probe directly under his basking light where he sits and the other is under the ledge on the other side of the tank.

 

[leximom]

Okay, thank you for such an in-depth answer. That helps. ^_^ What should I do to make her tank warmer?

 

[timbalan]

I use a halogen light they produce tons of heat and are cheaper to run. The one i have in my tank is supper small (about 35w and only about 3inches in total length)but its all i need to reach 108-113° in my viv. When i had him in a 55 gal i used a 65 watt halogen so it all depends. i tried the 65 in the new viv before i put him in and it got to like 130° in about an hour so i went looking for a smaller bulb. Theres so many out there just have to try them till you find one that works.

 

[timbalan]

What are your temps at now? how do you measure it?

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Yea temps are a whore to figure out and maintain once you have in custom built or bigger enclosures. I had to try 6 different watts before I said fack it and changed the light fixture and moved it further away from the basking site.

In a 10 gallon your temps are gonna be way high resulting in a dehydrated beardie. I'd move ASAP. Or for time being get that basking bulb up off the screen I'd say about 5inches and see what temps are and adjust from there. Your basking temp shouldn't be any higher than 115 at its highest point.

 

[leximom]

Hm. My temp gauge is Zoo Med's double thing that reads humidity & temperature. The temp is 90. That's way too low. It's an ExoTerra 75w Sun Glo bulb (came with her). It's in a 10" clamp lamp but I'm switching to a 5.5" tonight, which should bring it closer to the screen. It's just, for 75w, you'd think it'd be warmer in there! Hopefully, a smaller clamp lamp will do the trick...
You guys are so helpful and nice about it! I really appreciate that.

 

[timbalan]

The kind of temp guage that you hang on the glass? those arent good enough that will only give you an ambient temp of the air in the cage. Ill take a pic of mine so you can see

 

[Luvthemanimal]

So bulb r hard to determine temp.

I have a Repti 100 Watt Basking bulb on my 20 gallon long.. 115 degree on top of screen.

Exact same bulb I tried in my open fixture. And we'll let's just say holy moly...... 160 degree......

That being said. The screen absorbs ALOT of the heat. So imagine what it does with UVB.........

 

[Luvthemanimal]

It's going to take a lot of playing with to get it perfect...... But always 12-13 hours on and off......

 

[timbalan]

this is his basking spot. See the wire how its right on his basking spot thats what you need. this one is on the cool side of his viv. These are zoo med thermometers with probes. Only about $10 on amazon. And its no problem thats what we are here for to help the fellow beardie fam.

 

[leximom]

Ah, got it! Much clearer with the pics, too. Thank you! I'll look into those probe thermometers. And that means the basking spot is probably close to what it should be because the thermometer is not right next to it. I just need to be sure it's not TOO hot...

Thanks again, guys! ^_^

 

[ashley&brenden]

How warm is the tank supposed to be at night?