Proper Lightning for 40 gallon baby bearded dragon

[demken]

Hi, everyone.

I have a baby bearded dragon and have trouble sustaining a basking spot at and above 100+ degrees.

I just replaced the 100w basking bulb with a 150w Intense Basking Spot Exo-Terra bulb.

I also purchased a Reptisun
10.0 UVB lamp bulb, and a 15 watt Dessert 18” UVB tube bulb. Which should I use?

Thank you! I’m new to this, so still figuring out the correct temps and how to effectively and safely achieve them.

 

[demken]

Hi, everyone.

I have a baby bearded dragon and have trouble sustaining a basking spot at and above 100+ degrees.

I just replaced the 100w basking bulb with a 150w Intense Basking Spot Exo-Terra bulb.

I also purchased a Reptisun
10.0 UVB lamp bulb, and a 15 watt Dessert 18” UVB tube bulb. Which should I use?

Thank you! I’m new to this, so still figuring out the correct temps and how to effectively and safely achieve them.

 

[demken]

 

[demken]

And that is my little guys home

 

[Skybug]

How are u taking ur temps? Digital probes work, stick ons only messure ambient air temp, u need a probe, and can u picture ur uvb bulbs? Not seeing them id use the 10.0 but im not the best with lighting, maybe wait for @Sadie to join the chat.

 

[demken]

How are u taking ur temps? Digital probes work, stick ons only messure ambient air temp, u need a probe, and can u picture ur uvb bulbs? Not seeing them id use the 10.0 but im not the best with lighting, maybe wait for @Sadie to join the chat.

 

[demken]

I replaced the 100w basking bulb with a 150w Intense Basking Spot Exo-Terra bulb.

I also purchased a Reptisun 10.0 UVB lamp bulb, and a 15 watt Dessert 18” UVB tube bulb. I added a picture of each above.

Which should I use?

I will return the one that is not recommended.

Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

DO NOT use the coil------ you want the Reptisun 10.0 not a Thrive bulb 18" long tube and it needs to go inside the tank w/ NO cover over the bulb ---- it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor ---Thrive bulbs are not any good the Reptisuns and Arcadia bulbs are the best on the market at this time--please use a Zoo Med fixture as well -- I dont know what 18" fixture you have but some of those Thrive ones I have seen do not have a reflector in them ---- you want a fixture w/ a reflector--- I would ditch the green hammock they can cause leg / claw injuries if you want to use a hammock get a fleece or cloth one www.pamperedbeardies.com
please get a digital probe thermometer your not getting correct temps w / the stick ons--- you want temps 95-100 for a juvie -- how old is the dragon - he does not look like are real baby

 

[Sadie]

Also I would recommend a 24" fixture for your tank -- if you decide to upgrade the tank later to a 75-120 gallon your going to need to have the 24" hood --- Zoo Med Sunblaster or Arcadias are all good hoods -- if you want more help w/ that please ask

 

[demken]

DO NOT use the coil------ you want the Reptisun 10.0 not a Thrive bulb 18" long tube and it needs to go inside the tank w/ NO cover over the bulb ---- it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor ---Thrive bulbs are not any good the Reptisuns and Arcadia bulbs are the best on the market at this time--please use a Zoo Med fixture as well -- I dont know what 18" fixture you have but some of those Thrive ones I have seen do not have a reflector in them ---- you want a fixture w/ a reflector--- I would ditch the green hammock they can cause leg / claw injuries if you want to use a hammock get a fleece or cloth one www.pamperedbeardies.com
please get a digital probe thermometer your not getting correct temps w / the stick ons--- you want temps 95-100 for a juvie -- how old is the dragon - he does not look like are real baby

Ugh, now I’m completely confused. Thank you for all the information, but I’m confused.

Possible to please send me the actual links to each product you recommend that I use for a 40 gallon, mesh-top, tank?

The beardie, Moonie, joined the family a few weeks ago — he’s a baby but definitely has grown since we got him. I’ve been to PetCo and PetSmart almost every other day buying and returning various items based on recommendations from the store “experts” and people from other forums.

If you can please please please (for Moonie) send me specific product links then I will return all the stuff I have and purchase what you specifically recommend.

I’ve been getting advise from several sources, but will purchase the products you send me and return all else.

 

[Skybug]

This is what u want for uvb, not the coil bulb, I misread ur original post, my bad

 

[Skybug]

This is the fixture i use.

This is the bulb i have.


im shure sadie will come in here and either recommend something else , or what she uses. But bottom line, no thrive, no “coil” “compact” uvb bulbs these types of bulbs offer either too much uvb in a concentrated stream or little to none at all.

 

[Skybug]

Stuffs expensive :/
Ur other option is This arcadia brand. Which is probably the best u can get , get the 12% uvb if u choose this

 

[Skybug]

Lighting is confusing, my apologies if I threw you for a loop.

 

[demken]

I’m here now at PetCo

 

[demken]

I’m here now at PetCo

This is the only strip light fixture/holder in the store. I assume this is not good?

 

[demken]

These only long UVB tubes. Assume no?

 

[demken]

These are all UVB bulb options. Assume no?

 

[demken]

And assume this thermometer is no good?

 

[Sadie]

These are all UVB bulb options. Assume no?

No order on line -- those are all NO good
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit.html 24" w/ the 12% bulb
this is good but out of stock here https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html 24" hood w/ the Reptisun 10.0 bulb T 5 ---
look on line -- the other place I checked was www.petmountain.com out of stock as well
heres one this is a good deal

Amazon.com : Reptisun T5 Ho Terrarium Hood 24 Inch : Pet Care Products : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Reptisun T5 Ho Terrarium Hood 24 Inch : Pet Care Products : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

you will need to get the Reptisun 22" bulb 10.0 T 5