Question about UVB

[Jsmith23]

We got our little bearded dragon about a week ago and I'm still trying to figure out the lighting. Right now I have a 100w basking bulb, a 26w coil UVB and an 18" tube UVB on a tank that is 40 gallon. I ordered the Reptisun 10.0 T8 bulb for the 18" fixture but it arrived broken so I'm using the bulb that came with the fixture which is just a standard F15T8 fluorescent bulb. I'm working towards getting a 24" fixture and with the right UVB tube bulb I could hopefully eliminate the coil bulb, but for now this is what I have. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you!

 

[HoomanSlave]

ReptiSuns are on sale at Petco now, if you don't want to risk receiving another broken bulb you could get curbside/in-store pickup.
Your light should ideally cover 3/4 of the enclosure, so make sure you are getting the correct length of UVB.

 

[Sadie]

We got our little bearded dragon about a week ago and I'm still trying to figure out the lighting. Right now I have a 100w basking bulb, a 26w coil UVB and an 18" tube UVB on a tank that is 40 gallon. I ordered the Reptisun 10.0 T8 bulb for the 18" fixture but it arrived broken so I'm using the bulb that came with the fixture which is just a standard F15T8 fluorescent bulb. I'm working towards getting a 24" fixture and with the right UVB tube bulb I could hopefully eliminate the coil bulb, but for now this is what I have. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you!

Please ditch the coil ASAP- the T 8 is a better bulb and if it's a 18 inch that is most common- the 24" fixture will even be better you will need a 22" bulb 10.0-- the T 8 needs to be inside the tank NO plastic cover over the bulb- distance 6-8 inches--

 

[Jsmith23]

Please ditch the coil ASAP- the T 8 is a better bulb and if it's a 18 inch that is most common- the 24" fixture will even be better you will need a 22" bulb 10.0-- the T 8 needs to be inside the tank NO plastic cover over the bulb- distance 6-8 inches--

Is the coil bad? It's all I have until I can get a new T8 bulb on Friday.

 

[HoomanSlave]

Is the coil bad? It's all I have until I can get a new T8 bulb on Friday.

The coil does not distribute UVB light around the cage (it just stays in one small area), and the visible light is too strong and can cause eye damage.

 

[Sadie]

Is the coil bad? It's all I have until I can get a new T8 bulb on Friday.

Yes they are inadequate-- your better shutting it off and get your T 8 on Friday- he will be fine for a few days-- coils just cause so many health issues- just follow what I recommended on distance etc