UVB help with height? Is there TOO much UVB?

[Beth Bartkowicz]

I realize this question gets asked a lot. I have been reading and searching and searching a reading. I have an exo-terra 36x18x18. My plan is to buy Arcadia brand bulbs 12% in 24 inches for 3/4 of my cage length. Below is from Arcadia website specifically for bearded dragons. The measurement is distance between lamp and animal. T5 HO says 12-15 inches, which my tank is only 17 inches tall once the screen is in. The T8 says 10-12 inches. Ive read a ton of places about T5 being above tank with reflectors, but even Arcadia website says said that filters 30% out. So I am confused and don’t know what to do. If the T5 is in cage, it’ll be closer than 12-15 inches at some points. Is it okay to be closer? Can they get UVB burn? Should they still be in UV while on the bottom of their cage? I’m not sure if I should do HO inside a cage at that distance. I just would like to do what’s best and I need advice. Thanks!!! i really appreciate it. We are trying to finally get the cage put together after several weeks of research and this is the last piece!

 

[PatsyB]

I do the 12% HO on top of the mesh. The T5 fixtures have a reflector that pushes more of the UVB down into the tank. My tank is 18" high, the basking spot is probably 3 inches off the ground. My dragons are older so I don't let them climb too high in their tanks.