is it possible to have UV tubes to close?

[george]

Hi,

I went out and got a digital thermometer today (as recommended in another thread) and realized I the temps in the cage are cooler than I had thought. I am currently rearranging lights, ceramic heat emitters and a couple of the adjustable shelves in the enclosure, but now the 2, 3ft fluorescent zoo-med iguana lights are about an inch and a half away from Dino's head. Is this too close? I can make some adjustments over the weekend if the light needs to be raised.

Thanks in advance!!

[IguanaKing]

It depends on what you read with your UVB meter...but yes...with some of the current lighting technology available, it IS possible to have your UVB lights too close to your ig. An ideal reading is about 200uW/cm^2, but this also depends on the rest of the habitat. Does your ig have the opportunity to seek shelter from these rays? Are the heat and UVB lamps focused on the same spot so that the ig's natural, thermoregulatory behavior tells him when to move out of the rays? Many igs get along great while being provided 50uW/cm^2 at 6 inches, like most fluorescent UVB lamps provide. Mine, after almost 10 months of use, STILL provide about 97uW/cm^2 (Yes...the reading actually went up over what I measured a few weeks ago) at 18". At 6 inches they provide UVB in excess of 400uW. Which is great, as long as your ig can get far away from it at the proper exposure duration.

BTW...in Colorado Springs a couple of weeks ago, with no cloud cover...my UVB meter peaked at 502uW/cm^2. Needless to say, after seeing that, I ran and grabbed my niece who was playing outside with us while we all pulled weeds. I brought her inside and had her mom apply sunscreen to her. 2-year-olds can be grumpy enough...they sure as heck don't need the pain of a sunburn to make THAT characteristic any worse.

[Marie]

If don't have a meter, for ZooMed Reptisuns 5 or 10 (ZooMed IguanaLight), it is recommended by many that they be less than 6-8" from the skin of the iguana. I have heard that you should not have them less than 3" though. That is a precautionary measure just in case of UVC not UVB. UVC in nature is blocked by our ozone layer. I think the possibility is slim but it better to err on the side of caution. Especially since 6-8" give enough UVB to keep a healthy iguana healthy. I think the manufacture says 12" though. I myself use a UVB meter so I don't need to worry about lemon bulbs or getting the bulbs too close.

[prism_wolf]

I agree with Marie and the UVC. Not only that, but having the tubes any closer is like having the sun shine even closer to the eyes...as well as Dino possible knocking into the lights with his head...or his tail.

[george]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I have been rearranging shelves, light fixtures and bulb wattages and have not been able to get a good combination of 6+ inches of UVB and 95 degrees in the same place. i have gotten 92.2 degrees F. and about 5 inches away from the UVB tubes. I will keep working on the situation, but so far this has been the best.

I will let you know when I correct this.

[george]

Well, I have found a combination of shelf heights, light placements and wattages but it requires that an incandescent light be placed so that the light is pointing sideways directly at eye-level with Dino (not hanging pointing downward). It is about 2 feet away from the spot where I am trying to get the temp at 95 degrees and 6 inches away from the UV lights. Is this incandescent light pointing sideways toward my iguana going to cause any eye problems or any other issues?

Thanks

[prism_wolf]

Would you like a lamp shining directly in your eyes all day?? That's how you need to approach that. If you having such a problem with the heat...go to a stronger bulb. I use a 150W bulb in my open-front enclosure in summer...more in winter, in the enclosed 8' x 6' x 4' I find I have to use a 150W regular bulb and a 250W IR in two seperate basking areas.

[george]

I fixed the light situation last weekend but I have not had an opportunity to post until now. I went and purchased a 150W CHE and put it in place of the blinding incandescent light

I have a temp of 94.3 F and Dino's back is 6" away from the UV tubes. Thanks for the help. I'll post more pics soon.

[prism_wolf]

Excellent...:-) Sounds like you've made a breakthrough...until winter comes...heh...then you will more than likely need to tweak things around again.

[george]

Ya, I will probably have to remove some heat from him when the winter comes. Because I am working against the central Air right now. In the winter it will be the heater working with the lights and CHEs.

Thanks again for the help and concern!! you guys are great.