UVB Question

[desmith0927]

I know... as if there aren’t enough of these. I have a 40 gallon zoo med tank with the front opening doors. I was reading that there should be an area of the viv that has little to no uvb exposure. I have a reptisun T5 10.0 with a hood. I had it right beside the basking lamp’s fixture running horizontally across the back but then it goes almost the whole way over to the cool side. So, I moved it to go vertically across the basking side. Is this ok? Or should I put it back the way it was?

Also, my baby hides from the basking area if the temps are ever over like 97. I have the ability to keep them higher but he’ll only hang out there if the temps are between 92-97. Any higher and he doesn’t want anything to do with it. However, if they’re where I mentioned he’s basking a lot. He seems fine, healthy, happy... he just does not like higher temps. Is that ok?
We have his first vet check up soon but really he’s doing so well. He just isn’t a fan of 100+ degree temps. He’s got a good gradient with the middle being around 88-90 and the cool side being between 82-87 at any given time.

 

[Sadie]

I know... as if there aren’t enough of these. I have a 40 gallon zoo med tank with the front opening doors. I was reading that there should be an area of the viv that has little to no uvb exposure. I have a reptisun T5 10.0 with a hood. I had it right beside the basking lamp’s fixture running horizontally across the back but then it goes almost the whole way over to the cool side. So, I moved it to go vertically across the basking side. Is this ok? Or should I put it back the way it was?

Also, my baby hides from the basking area if the temps are ever over like 97. I have the ability to keep them higher but he’ll only hang out there if the temps are between 92-97. Any higher and he doesn’t want anything to do with it. However, if they’re where I mentioned he’s basking a lot. He seems fine, healthy, happy... he just does not like higher temps. Is that ok?
We have his first vet check up soon but really he’s doing so well. He just isn’t a fan of 100+ degree temps. He’s got a good gradient with the middle being around 88-90 and the cool side being between 82-87 at any given time.

Where is the T 5 ? Do you have it in the tank or on top of the screen? Distance plays a role here along w/ obstructed or unobstructed- some thing is off if hes not basking under the basking light -- how old is the dragon? You need the basking temps to be atleast 95 -110 --- you can get a piece of decor that offers a gradient heat --- post a pic of your tank please

 

[desmith0927]

He’s basking all of the time. But if the temps are above like 98 he goes into a teepee he has that hangs in the middle of his tank. The t5 is on a screen. He has a corner hammock that each corner offers a different height, as well as one that hangs on the glass at a different height across from that, and a log that goes from the ground upwards and the end leads to his hanging teepee that he can get into. He moves around depending on what he needs. However, if the temps on the basking side get up above 101, he goes into his teepee. He’ll sometimes stay up to about 104 but not for very long. He has one of those double fixtures for the basking light. If I keep one on with his doors closed it keeps it between 93-96/7. If I turn both on it gets to around 110-115 and he doesn’t like it. If I open his door it’ll stay between 104-110 and again, he’ll stay for a bit but won’t go up super high. He moves to the lower areas then he’ll get into his teepee.

 

[desmith0927]

Right now it’s at 101.8 and he’s happily basking close to it and his uvb with his mouth open. But if it gets much higher, he moves

 

[desmith0927]

Pardon the skin, he just shed the rest of his face this afternoon. Tomorrow he’s getting an entire tank clean out. But, as I said, the uvb was running along the back but I moved it vertically so his cool side is a bit darker. Also, we don’t use that digital thermometer at all it’s just still stuck there from before. I have four WiFi/Bluetooth thermometer/hygrometers that I can view remotely and adjust things accordingly with another remote outlet thing I have. They all seem to be very accurate. He has so many different options as far as getting to different heights to the uvb/basking areas and he uses all of them at one point or another. Idk he just doesn’t really like it too hot. I’ve read about other beardies being the same way but the responses were different than the one you just gave me.

 

[Sadie]

He’s basking all of the time. But if the temps are above like 98 he goes into a teepee he has that hangs in the middle of his tank. The t5 is on a screen. He has a corner hammock that each corner offers a different height, as well as one that hangs on the glass at a different height across from that, and a log that goes from the ground upwards and the end leads to his hanging teepee that he can get into. He moves around depending on what he needs. However, if the temps on the basking side get up above 101, he goes into his teepee. He’ll sometimes stay up to about 104 but not for very long. He has one of those double fixtures for the basking light. If I keep one on with his doors closed it keeps it between 93-96/7. If I turn both on it gets to around 110-115 and he doesn’t like it. If I open his door it’ll stay between 104-110 and again, he’ll stay for a bit but won’t go up super high. He moves to the lower areas then he’ll get into his teepee.

How are you taking the basking temps? And the screen on the tank is fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed screen? How old is the dragon?

 

[desmith0927]

Pardon the skin, he just shed the rest of his face this afternoon. Tomorrow he’s getting an entire tank clean out. But, as I said, the uvb was running along the back but I moved it vertically so his cool side is a bit darker. Also, we don’t use that digital thermometer at all it’s just still stuck there from before. I have four WiFi/Bluetooth thermometer/hygrometers that I can view remotely and adjust things accordingly with another remote outlet thing I have. They all seem to be very accurate. He has so many different options as far as getting to different heights to the uvb/basking areas and he uses all of them at one point or another. Idk he just doesn’t really like it too hot. I’ve read about other beardies being the same way but the responses were different than the one you just gave me. View attachment 24238View attachment 24239View attachment 24240View attachment 24241

Where is the T 5 ? Do you have it in the tank or on top of the screen? Distance plays a role here along w/ obstructed or unobstructed- some thing is off if hes not basking under the basking light -- how old is the dragon? You need the basking temps to be atleast 95 -110 --- you can get a piece of decor that offers a gradient heat --- post a pic of your tank please

Also, the one all the way on the left is just a CHE that is rarely on. On very cold nights I will turn it on if I get a temp alert below 67-70. But that’s it. And his basking temps are generally never below 95. What I meant to say is that if they are above like 99 he won’t hang out at a high point for very long and if they go above 102-104 he won’t sit there AT ALL. Since taking the pictures the high temps are now 103 where he was and he’s moved to the lower part of his log where the temperature is 95. He is still basking, just not at a high point with a high temp.

 

[desmith0927]

How are you taking the basking temps? And the screen on the tank is fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed screen? How old is the dragon?

The top has a frame broken up into two squares. The mesh squares are removable. I’d say it’s somewhere between. It isn’t super fine like some I’ve seen but it’s definitely not large holes. And I’m not 100% sure on his age. Pet stores are worthless with accurate info on that. I’d say he’s around 4-5 months

 

[desmith0927]

I figured moving it vertically would not only give him a darker cool side but also give him more ares that were closer to the uvb than it just being in the back. ESP since he prefers to be at the higher points in the front as opposed to the back. He loves his log, hanging rope triangle hammock (that’s on the front door, he climbs up to the top of the triangle where it hangs from and basks and even sleeps there) and he loves his teepee. All are closer to the uvb now that it’s vertical

 

[Sadie]

I figured moving it vertically would not only give him a darker cool side but also give him more ares that were closer to the uvb than it just being in the back. ESP since he prefers to be at the higher points in the front as opposed to the back. He loves his log, hanging rope triangle hammock (that’s on the front door, he climbs up to the top of the triangle where it hangs from and basks and even sleeps there) and he loves his teepee. All are closer to the uvb now that it’s vertical

You dont want the T 5 any closer than 12-15 inches it is too strong for a distance any closer

 

[desmith0927]

Sorry to keep writing so many replies, but with the double basking light no matter where he is on the hot side he’s under it to a certain degree. It’s just hotter or cooler depending on where and if it seems too hot for him I can turn the one furthest away from where he is off for a bit to cool things down or turn both on to make them a bit warmer.

You dont want the T 5 any closer than 12-15 inches it is too strong for a distance any closer

the top of his log where he is right now, at the front of the enclosure on the basking side, it’s about 12 inches from the top of his head. On top of a screen that has smaller holes. Is that ok? That’s about the highest point he can get to it anywherw

 

[Sadie]

Sorry to keep writing so many replies, but with the double basking light no matter where he is on the hot side he’s under it to a certain degree. It’s just hotter or cooler depending on where and if it seems too hot for him I can turn the one furthest away from where he is off for a bit to cool things down or turn both on to make them a bit warmer.

the top of his log where he is right now, at the front of the enclosure on the basking side, it’s about 12 inches from the top of his head. On top of a screen that has smaller holes. Is that ok? That’s about the highest point he can get to it anywherw

No the screen is blocking 30% of those rays it will need to go into the tank--- get your uvb situated first then adjust decor - you can drop the wattage down on the basking light- just make sure it's 95-110 and a good piece of decor that offers those temps would be good-- you can find some decor at PetSmart they have nice ones for dragons--- if you need help w/ hanging I can help