questions about type of basking bulb and uv bulbs.

setup: 50G terrarium (36x18x18). beardie is an adult female (w/ some citrus). not using night time heat since tank is 70 degrees. I also have a thermometer with probe inside tank and i'm constantly checking temps.

I have a 150w neodymium light but it gets her basking rock too hot (high 120's). I then tried a regular 90w house light but I think her colors look drabby with this (temps were about ok).

-is there really a difference in using regular light bulbs compared to more expensive heat lights as far as bringing out your pet's colors?

-should I use a 75w red infrared bulb (that I already have) and a low wattage house bulb combo?

-if there's no difference in my 1st question, should I then buy a flood lamp for heat?



also i'm shopping for a uv light. I've read the compact uv bulbs are dangerous (too bad since I have a hood that can fit them).

-the tank height isn't very high so is a reptisun 10.0 too powerful since I plan to mount it inside the tank?

-are the zoo med brands the only brands worth a crap?

wow, thanks for all the feedback everyone! this forum is awesome!

seriously...44 views and not one single reply? this place is lame.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by python baller

setup: 50G terrarium (36x18x18). beardie is an adult female (w/ some citrus). not using night time heat since tank is 70 degrees. I also have a thermometer with probe inside tank and i'm constantly checking temps.

I have a 150w neodymium light but it gets her basking rock too hot (high 120's). I then tried a regular 90w house light but I think her colors look drabby with this (temps were about ok).

-is there really a difference in using regular light bulbs compared to more expensive heat lights as far as bringing out your pet's colors?

-should I use a 75w red infrared bulb (that I already have) and a low wattage house bulb combo?

-if there's no difference in my 1st question, should I then buy a flood lamp for heat?



also i'm shopping for a uv light. I've read the compact uv bulbs are dangerous (too bad since I have a hood that can fit them).

-the tank height isn't very high so is a reptisun 10.0 too powerful since I plan to mount it inside the tank?

-are the zoo med brands the only brands worth a crap?

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First, temps over looks. The neodymium lights look great but if it might burn her when she tries to bask, how is that helping? Get a lower wattage or lift the light a bit higher so that her basking area isn't a safety risk.

The difference you are seeing is merely how you perceive her colors. The light doesn't change how she physically is. It merely changes how your brain perceives it.

Don't worry about combos unless it's needed to get the temperature right. The flood light is up to you.

Ok, now for the UV light: I'm not sure where you read that compact uv bulbs are dangerous (please feel free to link the info as I'm actually curious) but the main thing you need to ensure is that your dragon can be within 12 inches of the bulb itself. Brand-wise, I've actually been using plant UV lights (make sure that they have UVA and UVB) for years as they've always lasted longer than the reptile ones I tried. The basics are you need a light that puts off both UVA and UVB that the dragon can have access to. If you use this as your heat lamp, that's fine. I only run one light on my dragon and have done it that way for years without any issues. Along with this, however, she also gets access to natural light during the warmer months and enjoys basking in front of the door when we have it open (with screen in) so she does get UV that way as well.

Hopefully this helps a little but overall, try a few things out. Some lights may work better for you than they did me. I also would recommend checking Amazon's reviews on certain bulbs. I've noticed some of the reptile bulbs have consistently bad reviews for longevity. Others are the opposite. See what works best for you and just make sure that you change your UV light regularly as they do lose the ability to produce adequate UV light over time.

I always use mercury vapor bulbs for UV and basking spot.. I feel it imitates the sun the best by providing heat and UV. I have hatched hundreds of beardies and it works perfectly. This is generally a snake forum so not too many folks have the experience to answer your question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by python baller

wow, thanks for all the feedback everyone! this forum is awesome!

seriously...44 views and not one single reply? this place is lame.

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A little patience goes a long way... You posted when most people were asleep and it is a Monday. Most of the activity here is on weekends or evenings. Not to mention, 2 of those views were from me from my phone but I prefer not trying to type out long, informative replies via smartphone.

I'll take a forum where 44 people view a thread and decide not to answer because they don't have a good answer for you over one where people spout nonsense to sound knowledgeable any day. I'd also take a forum where people spend their time continuing to do their homework on the web over one where people insult the others they're asking help from when they don't get spoon fed a response in barely 12 hours on a school/work night. You've been here for 5 years and still post. Obviously you think this forum is more baller than lame.

Putting that aside, I use halogen bulbs. They give a nice color of light and just the right amount of heat for me. I think I have a 45 watt right now and it's perfect. People talk a lot about the UV bulbs. It's my humble opinion that it's mainly a load of crap. I'd cite the study I pulled this knowledge from, but I get the distinct feeling that you wouldn't read it, so here's my spoon fed response: beardies need about 2 hours of fairly strong UV a day to metabolize as much calcium as they need. Pretty much any of the reptile specific UV tube bulbs at a distance of 8-12 inches from the basking spot will work just fine since they'll be in it all day long.

EDIT: Here it is for anyone interested in learning why: www.vitamindwiki.com/dl959

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dracoluna

I'm not sure where you read that compact uv bulbs are dangerous (please feel free to link the info as I'm actually curious)

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There is a lot of buzz that the compact florescent bulbs are too bright and may cause blindness. Who knows if there is truth but I've looked straight at one of those before and it was a bad time. Then again, I've looked straight at a lot of the bulbs we use in this hobby and had a bad time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrLang

There is a lot of buzz that the compact florescent bulbs are too bright and may cause blindness. Who knows if there is truth but I've looked straight at one of those before and it was a bad time. Then again, I've looked straight at a lot of the bulbs we use in this hobby and had a bad time.

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Thanks for the link. It was a very informative read. Also, as far as buzz about blindness, I could see that happening if the animal looked at it but then again, the same would happen if you looked into the sun. I thought there might be something chemically dangerous which is what concerned me. At 12, my girl's been under florescents and has yet to go blind. Sounds like a case of people being overprotective once more. Any studies on it or just anecdotal stories?

http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/

There is tons of knowledge on uv lights. The best advise is buy a meter and stop guessing. I own one and found that the compacts have massive uv output more than 300 uw/m3 (150-160 is correct high end) this can and has caused conjunctivitis (snow blindness sun burnt eyes) I also found cheap Chinese bulbs were also stupid high. The high quality German ones were the best (zoo med for example exoterra are Chinese and junk)

It takes very little to block uv a window screen blocks a fair but unexpectly. Window glass block more if not all. A meter will also help solve too little uv and when a bulb needs to be replaced.

120 is quite high low 100s is better.




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