Arcadia D3 - Creating the Reptile Environment

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Creating the correct environment for your reptile

•

The Lamp should be installed so as to ensure a MINIMUM distance of at least 30cm (12”)

[160W],

20cm (8”) [100W]

from lamp surface to the reptile. NB: this distance is not from the lamp to the

ﬂoor, or to the basking branch or shelf – it is from the lamp to the closest part of the reptile’s head

or body when basking. This is a safe MINIMUM distance, to avoid over-exposure to UVB. The actual

distance used is normally greater than this, and should be determined by the basking temperature

and UV Index required by your species. As a very rough guide, species which bask in full sun may

require up to UV Index 3 – 5 in the basking zone; occasional baskers and forest species generally

require lower levels, between UV Index 1 – 3 in the basking zone. (See chart on box for distances at

which these levels are reached by an ‘average’ lamp.)

• For best results combine with an Arcadia Halogen Basking Spot Lamp which is connected to an

appropriate thermostat or thermo-regulator. This will allow accurate regulation of the basking spot

temperature without needing to raise or lower the D3 Basking lamp, and improve colour rendition in

the basking area.

• Install the lamps at one end of the vivarium so as to create a temperature gradient within the

enclosure, this allows the animal to regulate their body temperature by moving into or out of the

basking area. The following diagrams show examples of typical installations for a 100 - 120cm mesh-

topped vivarium housing a sun-basking lizard (a bearded dragon) and a 100 - 120cm tortoise table for

a Mediterranean species. The basic concept is to create a “sunlit” area in the basking zone using the

Arcadia D3 Basking Lamp to provide UVA, UVB, light and heat, complemented by the thermostatically-

controlled Halogen Basking Spot lamp. (NB. The schematic diagrams are not to scale, and do not show

other essential furnishings such as hide boxes in the cool zone, water bowls etc.)

•

Before installing the reptile, the temperatures must be monitored and the lamps adjusted

until the temperatures in the basking zone, in the cool retreat, and throughout the rest of the

vivarium are suitable for your species. Check with your retailer or species guidebook, what the

optimum basking and ambient temperature of the vivarium should be. The thermostat probe

should be placed in the sheltered coolest part of the vivarium, and the thermostat set at the

highest acceptable temperature for the cool retreat. Then, should the vivarium temperature

rise higher, the Halogen Basking Spot Lamp will dim sufﬁciently to keep the cool retreat at a

safe temperature. At all other times it will be fully alight, providing the optimum heat and light

required to complement the Arcadia D3 Basking Lamp.

• Ensure that your reptile has an area of lower light intensity within the vivarium and a shaded area,

so that they can regulate their exposure to the basking lamp. If your animal spends the majority of its

time in the shaded/darker area of the vivarium, check the temperature gradient; the basking zone may

be too hot. If this does not appear to be the problem, the UV light may be too intense for your reptile.

Some reptiles, particularly light-coloured or “albino” morphs, are more sensitive to UVB than others.

If your reptile avoids the light or keeps its eyes closed for long periods, this may be the cause. We

suggest increasing the height of the Arcadia D3 Basking Lamp above the basking area.