Lighting Help!!

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marieeisdead

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So this all started I took on a 2 year old Male Bearded Dragon a few months ago, who i named Germ. I researched long and hard before finally having to means to actually decide on getting him. But I feel unhappy with the set up i have, i felt really overwhelmed with the vast amounts of information on bearded dragon care, so i basically have the bare minimum. Everything was fine in the summer, now it's fall and my heating just isn't cutting it. I feel like everyone has different ideas and set ups everywhere, so it's been confusing. I have a 35.5 L X 17.5 H X 15.5 W tank that's about 40 gallons. I have a 100 Watt basking bulb and a 18inch 10.0 Reptisun. I really want Germ to be healthy so now I'm scrambling for better equipment. I'm thinking of getting a 75-100 watt ceramic bulb for the dropping night time temps, any suggestions on how i could create the best set up i can for Germ? Also his previous owner didn't socialize him all that well so he's a bit distrustful of me, any tips on getting him to warm up to me? I do a little hand feeding hear and there but he squirms a lot when i try to pick him up. When i thought i was making some progress i took him out and he hid in the corner of my backyard and when i tried to approach him he got aggressive and i had to put a shirt over him to pick him up. Now I'm just trying to earn his trust again, and I've learned my lesson on taking him outside. I'll leave a list of the items I'm debating on buying on amazon, I'm second guessing myself on everything from bulb wattage and the size of the lamp i should get please help.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H200QC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/OMAYKEY-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter-Brooder/dp/B075XJXPGC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539800971&sr=8-3&keywords=ceramic+heat+emitter&dpID=41opQqpor%252BL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

https://www.amazon.com/OMAYKEY-Ceramic-Digital-thermometer-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B078TDWPW5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539800971&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=ceramic+heat+emitter&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539801085&sr=8-1&keywords=temperature+gun&dpID=41UpFdeJusL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

If you guys have suggestions on what i should buy let me know.
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
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It can be tough to narrow down the right equipment because there isn't one right way of doing things. Generally you want a high quality UVB source to combine with heat and bright white visible light over the basking area. You want to create a gradient so the basking area surface is hot (100-105 or so) and the cool side surfaces are around 75-85. You want to keep temps above about 65 or so overnight. I like 70-73 or so but that is just a preference that works with my dragon.

You might want to use an adjustable lamp stand so you can raise/lower the basking light You could go with a higher wattage bulb for more output and put it on a dimmer or just raise it higher. I like using halogen flood lights for basking but the reptile versions are fine as long as you avoid the neodymium coated bulbs.

If you need to bump the temps overnight (tank temps below 65) then I'd get either a CHE or a heat projector. I prefer the heat projectors because they don't get quite so hot to the touch and still provide a good amount of heat. http://www.reptileuv.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=196

I wouldn't skimp on UVB. Go with a good T5 bulb and fixture and set it about 10-12'' above the main basking area for best results. I use this one and it's great. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/
 
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