Use of Light?

[Jay_Bunny]

We are thinking of getting a baby bearded dragon and I want to go over this list of equipment we have for our use.

20g Long Tank

Paper Towel for Substrate

Food Dish for Veggies

Logs for Basking (What other cage accessories do we need?)


As for the light, I know dragons need UVB, right? Now, I have this light that I was using for a salt water tank. Its a 75w T5 High Output Nova Extreme aquarium light. I have no use for it anymore and I was wondering if it could serve as the bearded dragon's day light fixture? If not then I will get a normal UVB lamp.

Anything else I will need. I have calcium powder for dusting crickets. What kind of veggies will they eat? Other kinds of feeder insect?

[Jay_Bunny]

Does anyone have an answer to my questions?

[littleindiangirl]

A lot of this seems to be basic questions that are all answered in a Bearded Dragon Care sheet.

If you just mean about the light, why not look up the specs on each one and see if they match up? They only last for something like 6 months anyways... how long have you used it for?

[Beardedragon]

I wouldn't use it unless you had a uv measure to see how much the output is. id get this:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...-uv-heat-bulb/

Best kind of uvb (mvb) out there other than Mercury bulbs. It also provides heat and lasts a year instead of six months. Your beardies colors also will be better.


Don't forget your cal/vit supplements. What size beardie are you getting?

[Funky#2]

We are thinking of getting a baby bearded dragon and I want to go over this list of equipment we have for our use.

20g Long Tank:
Fine for a baby, but you'll eventually have to upgrade to something bigger.

Paper Towel for Substrate:
Good (we use ceramic tile)

Food Dish for Veggies:
Good

Logs for Basking (What other cage accessories do we need?)
As long as the log comes within 6-8 inches of the light source, that'll work fine.


As for the light, I know dragons need UVB, right? Now, I have this light that I was using for a salt water tank. Its a 75w T5 High Output Nova Extreme aquarium light. I have no use for it anymore and I was wondering if it could serve as the bearded dragon's day light fixture? If not then I will get a normal UVB lamp:
You will need something that has UVB/UVA lighting. We use the Reptisun 5.0. The bulb should just about cover the entire length of the tank. You'll also need a basking light that'll keep the temp around 100 degrees in the basking area. The ambient air in the tank should be in the mid 80's, and then drop to the low 70's at night. We have both of our lights connected to a timer that shuts off at 8:00pm and on at 8:00 am.

Anything else I will need. I have calcium powder for dusting crickets. What kind of veggies will they eat? Other kinds of feeder insect?
Our bearded dragon is very stubborn when it comes to eating its veggies, he seems to like leafy greens the best (avoid lettuce as there is no nutritional value in it) Crickets are by far the cheapest, but we also feed our beardie wax worms and phoenix works from time to time.

You'll also need a water bowl, and some thermometers. I'd suggest some feeding tongs to hand feed the crickets, because you dont want to just dump a bunch of crickets in there and let them roam free.

Here is a good CARE SHEET that bp.net offers.

Good luck

[Beardedragon]

Funky- You may need to upgrade your repti glo. If im correct a 5 is only 5% uvb, they need at least 7%.

[Funky#2]

Funky- You may need to upgrade your repti glo. If im correct a 5 is only 5% uvb, they need at least 7%.

Sorry, I meant Repti Sun 5.0 (It's one of the 2 bulbs reccomended on this sites care sheet)

This is the bulbs description:
"Contains the highest amounts of both UVB and UVA wavelengths (according to an independent laboratory spectral analysis.) The UVB wavelength helps to prevent or reverse Metabolic Bone Disease in green iguanas as well as other species of lizards in captivity. Strengthens and improves shell growth on all captive turtles and tortoises"

So the Repti Sun 5.0 should be good right

[Beardedragon]

Sorry, I meant Repti Sun 5.0 (It's one of the 2 bulbs reccomended on this sites care sheet)

This is the bulbs description:
"Contains the highest amounts of both UVB and UVA wavelengths (according to an independent laboratory spectral analysis.) The UVB wavelength helps to prevent or reverse Metabolic Bone Disease in green iguanas as well as other species of lizards in captivity. Strengthens and improves shell growth on all captive turtles and tortoises"

So the Repti Sun 5.0 should be good right

Is it a twisty bulb or a fluorescent your using? I'll get back to you after I make sure if it is good or not through my other bd forums.

[shadi11]

Reptisun 5.0 is ok.. Reptisun 10.0 is better thats what I use in all mine.. I have also used the repti glo 8.0 but in reality if you look at the uv guide that has all the test results of the lights its not better than the reptisun. so i would stick with the reptisun florescents.. Not the twist bulb.
Heres a good site too. I order my lights from here. they have good prices on supplies. been using them a couple years now. http://www.petmountain.com

[Funky#2]

Is it a twisty bulb or a fluorescent your using? I'll get back to you after I make sure if it is good or not through my other bd forums.

It's fluorescent

THIS IS WHAT WE USE