Too much UV?

Hi Everyone, I got the Mega Ray UVB 60W online and up until about 2 months ago my beardy loved it. She is in a 4'x2'x1.5' enclosure. She is now about 9 months old, and for the longest time would not come out from hiding behind her bushes. She would stay back there 24/7 unless I lugged her out.

I did an experiment and turned the UVB off now she is out all the time. Could this have been too much UVB for her? It was at about 8" (which is the bare minimum distance quoted on the box, but it goes through a perforated aluminum screen with 50% open space, knocking the UVB down as well). Should I just have it on a couple hours a day instead of the normal 12/12 cycle? Is she done with her growth spurt and now wants less light?

Thanks,

JonV

Beardies go through a brumation (sleepy/slowdown) in the winter. At nine months she might be starting. The first year it can be mild but an adult may sleep for many, many weeks. Some younger ones go through a mild version their first winter. In the wild they would burrow underground so thats why they may prefer the darker areas. UV bulbs are always necessary for beardies but they will decide how much they want so a hide is always needed for when they want to slowdown. Just keep an eye on her to make sure she is not sick, but the sleepiness usually worries people who are not used to it.