New Beardie Owner: Quick Lighting Equipt Q

[Broly]

Hi guys, I’ve never posted in an online forum before and I’m a new beardie owner so please be patient with me if I’ve posted in the wrong place or asking a silly Q (I have tried to find further info online first but been unsuccessful).

I was given a vivarium and some equipment by a friend and have purchased some extra bits that were needed.

I have a beardie born July 2020, we got him Sunday just gone. The viv is 30x18 (I am aware I need to size up and will be doing so soon). Especially as I’ve had a little trouble regulating temperature at the cool end, with a 75w bulb at the hot end. I have digital thermometers each end but no thermostat currently. I am home all day with him so I have been keeping an eye and turning off the heat to regulate it when needed. He seems pretty happy!

The question I wanted to ask on this thread was in regards to the UBV light. I’m not sure what one I have as it was in the viv when given to me. It is 15” and placed centrally at the front. It is connected to an Arcadia controller (model: ACR15 Type C2 Tube: 14/15w 26mm). I would like to purchase a new UVB to ensure it’s efficient as I’m not sure how old this one is or how long it could have been sitting around. Would a Reptisun 10.0 fit this Arcadia controller unit? Or would I have to purchase a specific Arcadia UVB? Also, would it be better for me to get an 18”?

When I size up viv I am happy to buy another longer UVB if needed, I just to ensure my beardie is as happy and healthy as possible in these initial days / weeks before I size up.

Thank you in advance for any help offered

 

[Knight98]

depends which controller you have, it will either be a t8 or t5 controller, so If u have a t8 controller you can use any t8 bulb. if it’s a t5 controller you can use any t5 bulb. Sometimes the bulbs tell you which one it is.
if you have a 30inch viv you may as well buy the 24inch bulb

 

[Broly]

depends which controller you have, it will either be a t8 or t5 controller, so If u have a t8 controller you can use any t8 bulb. if it’s a t5 controller you can use any t5 bulb. Sometimes the bulbs tell you which one it is.
if you have a 30inch viv you may as well buy the 24inch bulb

Ok, great - thank you

 

[Knight98]

Let me know how u get on

 

[Knight98]

Any chance of an update on this

 

[Broly]

Hey, sorry. I switched what was in there for an 18” Reptisun 10.0. Much brighter with a further reach. As soon as I upgrade the viv to a larger one I will also upgrade the UVB to a longer one also.
Beardie is settling in very well, eating well, temperatures are good with a 50W bulb (I tried a 75 and 60 but both were a little hot and throwing off the gradient - I assume this is due to the viv only being 30” wide).

I have a larger viv available to me from a friend but waiting for a convenient day to collect / set up.

 

[Knight98]

Spot on thanks glad to hear any chance we can get a few pics?

 

[Broly]

I have also laid a Travertine tile in the viv, cut to the right size. I read a few forums stating this is a good tile to use and my dad had some available.

 

[Broly]

Spot on thanks glad to hear any chance we can get a few pics?

Of corse! I will send one when home, please do let me know what you think and if you can spot any immediate changes I may need to make

 

[Knight98]

Will do, personally I use sand to recreate natural habitat but whatever’s best for your beardie

 

[Broly]

Will do, personally I use sand to recreate natural habitat but whatever’s best for your beardie

I did purchase a mixed desert sand initially but I read so many negative reviews of sand substrates I decided against it. I do find the tile easy to clean so hopefully this will work well for him!

 

[Knight98]

All depends if they eat it. doesn’t digest very well. Mine loves to burrow

 

[Broly]

All depends if they eat it. doesn’t digest very well. Mine loves to burrow

Cute!

Here is my our little guy. The digital thermometers are on top of the viv (the probes are in the cool end and one on the basking spot). I also have the analogue ones in there but don’t really watch them much. I have a larger basking log but I took it out as I found it was creating lots of shade which he’d lay in.
Any suggestions from looking?

 

[Sadie]

Hey, sorry. I switched what was in there for an 18” Reptisun 10.0. Much brighter with a further reach. As soon as I upgrade the viv to a larger one I will also upgrade the UVB to a longer one also.
Beardie is settling in very well, eating well, temperatures are good with a 50W bulb (I tried a 75 and 60 but both were a little hot and throwing off the gradient - I assume this is due to the viv only being 30” wide).

I have a larger viv available to me from a friend but waiting for a convenient day to collect / set up.

If you upgrade the UVB do not go the same length as the tank -- you do not want your dragon hiding from the rays --- I dont know what size your tank is but I would go half the length of it --

 

[Broly]

If you upgrade the UVB do not go the same length as the tank -- you do not want your dragon hiding from the rays --- I dont know what size your tank is but I would go half the length of it --

It’s 30” wide and the current UVB is 18”. Centrally placed, at the front of the viv.

 

[Sadie]

It’s 30” wide and the current UVB is 18”. Centrally placed, at the front of the viv.

What is length?

 

[Knight98]

What is length?

The uvb tube is 18inch

 

[Knight98]

It looks spot on @JJGamez7777

 

[Sadie]

The uvb tube is 18inch

Of the tank?

 

[Knight98]

His tank is 30inch and the uvb tube is 18inch, I did say to get a 24inch bulb