What to do with second UVB light

[AlexB]

I finally got 850mm 12% Arcadia T5 lamp in place and now thinking how I want to use original 12% Arcadia T8 lamp sitting in the back of enclosure.

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My options are:
- keep it off, T5 gives more then enough and it’s will be too much
- keep it on on, T8 output is 30% of what T5 gives but keep backside covered
- keep it on schedule sun is shining from 12 to 15

Any suggestions?

Regards,
Alex

[dragonlover1]

You don't want to use both as beardies can suffer from over exposure to UV, same as humans.
Use the T8 on schedule.

[AlexB]

T5 or T8? Her favourite basking area is equally 35cm from both (not that it’s was planned but just measured ), this gives me:
For T8 UVI for my case ~1.6 (http://www.uvguide.co.uk/UVTool-ArcadiaD3plusT8.htm)
For T5 UVI for my case ~ 4.3 (http://www.uvguide.co.uk/UVTool-ArcadiaD3plusT5.htm)

Reading this: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/An-I...With-Reptiles/ it’s says that UVI shall be in range from 2.9 to 7.4 which means as long as beardie can’t move much much closer even both shall be ok and just T8 is not enough for my distance. On another side because she is happily basking and gaping on current distance I’m not sure I do want to get her anywhere closer to lamps (also prefer to keep safe distance from heating lamps).

Sorry if I’m getting too deep into science , just doing my part of the study

Upd: I think I will stick to T5 for some time and see, she is roaming a little more once switched to T5, keeping both on - will immediately cut number of shadow spots to hide, so not good as well.

[dragonlover1]

we usually recommend about 30cm from the UV to the basking spot.
Do you have a UV gauge ? I know they're not cheap, I paid $300+ for mine
That would be the best way to check your exact requirements.
Also you don't want to eliminate shadows because the dragon will want to choose to get out of direct rays same as choosing to get out of direct heat.

[AlexB]

No, UV gauge, was looking but they are quite expensive ever from overseas.

I think links before give me quite good picture on what my UV index is, at least with T5 I see beardie much more moving around instead of sticking to one hot spot, so possibly she’s feels it’s enough and she is not running away to hide so shall be good.
For a moment T8 will get status of backup light if anything wrong goes with main.