Enclosure lighting advice

Hey guys!
First post here, I just wanted to ask for some advice on my beardie. He’s a healthy 3 years old but I just recently did some changes, I noticed that during the hot days in my city he doesn’t really bask much, he spends most of the day on the cool side. I was looking into it and I decided to change it from 100W to a 75W bask bulb (btw it’s a 40gallon tank), I also had to change my UVB bulbs I have never changed them as they never really went out for a long time so I still don’t know exactly what watt they are(I think 13W) there are two of those bulbs that go in so in total probably 26W for the UVB. I went ahead and just bought two 13W to try to keep everything the same as its been working, however without knowing I got some of the coil types and didn’t look into it before I got them. Are they really as bad as they say? It doesn’t look too bright as the UVB bulbs go over a mesh screen. So my question is, will 26W of UVB be good for my 40gallon enclosure and will 75W be sufficient for a basking light?
Thanks for your time on reading this.

A 40 gal is kinda small for a 3 y.o. He should probably have at least a 60. The watt really depends on how close his head is to the bulb and the amount of heat he is getting from it. He should be about 90 to 100 Fahrenheit from the bulb. No higher because it will be too hot and probably burn him. If he is gaping/panting/opening mouth a lot, he is too hot and you should either move the hammock, if he has one, lower or move the basking rock a little more over so he isn't getting too much heat from it. UVB seems fine too

melodylynn25":1xophvs7 said:

A 40 gal is kinda small for a 3 y.o. He should probably have at least a 60. The watt really depends on how close his head is to the bulb and the amount of heat he is getting from it. He should be about 90 to 100 Fahrenheit from the bulb. No higher because it will be too hot and probably burn him. If he is gaping/panting/opening mouth a lot, he is too hot and you should either move the hammock, if he has one, lower or move the basking rock a little more over so he isn't getting too much heat from it. UVB seems fine too

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Yeah I know :/ I should be able to get him a bigger space soon but it’s just due to my living situation. I can always change the temp by getting something else but i’m glad the UVB is good.

I recommend getting a 75-120 gallon for your tank --- I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you get rid of those 2 13 watt bulbs you bought -- here is some info on the UVB's and what you should replace w/
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--

Those 13 watt bulbs are killers of dragons --------------- please get rid of the ASAP --- in that 40 gallon tank hes basically getting NO UVB --- make sure you get a fixture w/ a reflector and not the same length of the tank - only 2/3 of the tank -- you dont want him hiding from the UVB they need to be able to escape the rays if they want to
Karrie