UVB and Heating

[JKJ]

I’m looking into buying a bearded dragon and know that I will need uvb and heat. What wattage should the heating bulb, and how long should the uvb bulb be for a 49x20x21 terrarium? What brands or specific models should I buy?

 

[Skybug]

Welcome to the forum, usually 50-75watt heat bulb works fine in that small of an enclosure, for a baby you want it HOT (get a digital probe thermometer to take temps, no stick on) temps (105f max) the cool side of the enclosure needs to no less than 76f, an adult basking spot needs to be 95f , your uvb fixture MUST have a reflector in it (so it can direct the uvb downward) for bulbs this is what i use , get this brand, or “arcadia” 12% bulbs these are what most of us are using. NO “coil” “compact” “colored” bulbs (these offer to much uvb in a concentrated stream or little to none at all)

 

[Sadie]

I’m looking into buying a bearded dragon and know that I will need uvb and heat. What wattage should the heating bulb, and how long should the uvb bulb be for a 49x20x21 terrarium? What brands or specific models should I buy?

Your tank is a 90 gallon tank --- you would need a 24" fixture like a Zoo Med or Sunblaster or Arcadia--- all are good fixtures - the Arcadia ProT 5 comes w/ the Arcadia bulbs you want a 12% bulb its considered a T 5 like the Reptisun 10.0- basking bulbs are trial and error - I would start w/ a 100 watt but you MUST HAVE a digital probe thermometer to get your temps --- babies need a temp of 105-110 - juvies / adults 95-100 --- place the probe on the spot where hes going to bask wait 10 minutes or so then get your temp -
DO NOT buy colored bulbs--- sand--- heat mats or heat rocks and any COIL bulb at all ---- the basking bulb MUST be a bright white bulb---- no off color white or yellowish --
Substrate that can be used is textured NON adhesive shelf liner purchased from your local home improvement store or Walmart clean w/ vinegar/ water solution 50/50 or slated ceramic tile -- no smooth or real coarse stuff -- I recommend do not grout or seal in -- cut it to the size of the tank and measure from inside the tank - you will need a tile cutter to cut it so you dont get jagged edges--- you can use a thick shop paper towel to lay under the tile it will catch the watery urate and its very easy to keep the tank clean -- those towels can be bought at Walmart -- the reason for not grouting or sealing is if you ever haft to deep clean the tank for like parasites etc you wont be able to pull that tile --- I have had many come back on and say they wished they had never grouted or sealed their tanks -- if you have more questions please ask

 

[JKJ]

Your tank is a 90 gallon tank --- you would need a 24" fixture like a Zoo Med or Sunblaster or Arcadia--- all are good fixtures - the Arcadia ProT 5 comes w/ the Arcadia bulbs you want a 12% bulb its considered a T 5 like the Reptisun 10.0- basking bulbs are trial and error - I would start w/ a 100 watt but you MUST HAVE a digital probe thermometer to get your temps --- babies need a temp of 105-110 - juvies / adults 95-100 --- place the probe on the spot where hes going to bask wait 10 minutes or so then get your temp -
DO NOT buy colored bulbs--- sand--- heat mats or heat rocks and any COIL bulb at all ---- the basking bulb MUST be a bright white bulb---- no off color white or yellowish --
Substrate that can be used is textured NON adhesive shelf liner purchased from your local home improvement store or Walmart clean w/ vinegar/ water solution 50/50 or slated ceramic tile -- no smooth or real coarse stuff -- I recommend do not grout or seal in -- cut it to the size of the tank and measure from inside the tank - you will need a tile cutter to cut it so you dont get jagged edges--- you can use a thick shop paper towel to lay under the tile it will catch the watery urate and its very easy to keep the tank clean -- those towels can be bought at Walmart -- the reason for not grouting or sealing is if you ever haft to deep clean the tank for like parasites etc you wont be able to pull that tile --- I have had many come back on and say they wished they had never grouted or sealed their tanks -- if you have more questions please ask

Thanks for the help. For UVB I’m going to go with the Arcadia because you and the post above you both recommended it. For the basking bulb, would I be able to go with a higher power bulb like a 150w and use one of the zoomed thermostats? Is there any sort of lighting I need to do at night? My room is only around 68 degrees. I’ve read the can handle temps down to 65, but I’ve also heard 70 is the minimum.

 

[Sadie]

Thanks for the help. For UVB I’m going to go with the Arcadia because you and the post above you both recommended it. For the basking bulb, would I be able to go with a higher power bulb like a 150w and use one of the zoomed thermostats? Is there any sort of lighting I need to do at night? My room is only around 68 degrees. I’ve read the can handle temps down to 65, but I’ve also heard 70 is the minimum.

Room temp at night is fine-- you need a digital probe thermometer to get actual basking temps- are talking about a dimmer or actual thermometer?

 

[JKJ]

Room temp at night is fine-- you need a digital probe thermometer to get actual basking temps- are talking about a dimmer or actual thermometer?

I was talking about a thermostat with a probe that would automatically turn off and on the basking lamp if it got to hot or cold.

 

[Sadie]

I was talking about a thermostat with a probe that would automatically turn off and on the basking lamp if it got to hot or cold.

Yes you can try that- I have never used them so I am not sure how they work - it's gonna be trial error to see if it works and how well

 

[JKJ]

Thanks