uv light?

[Bartman]

i heard that you need to keep the uv light a certain distance from the actual ground of the enclosure. Is this true? and how far or close should it be?

thanks

[eyespy]

It depends on the type of lighting. Mercury vapor or black lights that emit UVC need to be a minimum distance from the animal, but that distance depends on the bulb's output and wattage and will be marked on the packaging.

Fluorescent tubes need to be much closer to the animal, no more than a foot away. Give us more specifics what bulbs and wattage you use and we can give you more info.

[Bartman]

yea its a fluorecent light, its made for reptilies by some reptile company and mine is about a foot away, a little more. Will the animals still get uvb?

[eyespy]

Depending on the output, some have to be 6 to 8 inches from the animal, 12 inches would be the upper limit. Try getting it closer by raising the basking branch if you can.

[Bartman]

ok thanks, is it a problem if im asking this info for a uromastyx since they dont really climb branches all that well? Should i get a piece of wood or something?

[jay76]

You don't really need to add a branch unless you want to... just hang the light an appropriate distance from the highest point they can climb to. From what I've heard uros aren't as keen on climbing as a beardie, so a branch might not be used anyways

[eyespy]

Or you could add some wide, flat rocks, paving stones, tiles, etc. to add a bit of height to the cage floor.

[Bartman]

true i think im gonna use the slate rocks and make a nice pile up of them, thanks for ur replies!