Does it really say 12"? That seems really close to me...maybe i am thinking about this wrong...I have a mega ray at 19" and I don't like going closer. Shoot, maybe I am remembering wrong... I am not home right now but that sounds so close.

How are you measuring temps? Are you measuring the temp of your animal's body with a temp gun, or...?

The prevailing wisdom around here seems be less emphasis on UV and greater emphasis on the getting temps right, SO I might consider getting a point and shoot temp gun not a uv meter if you don't have either one.

Having said that, I am interested to hear what other more experiences voices have to offer...