30 gallon tank lighting setup

[MushuHemmi]

I just got a 30 gallon tank for my young beardie, mushu. What wattage should the basking light be? What about the UVB? I also have a 60 watt CHE for when it gets in the 60's, would that still work with this tank?

 

[CooperDragon]

The wattage really depends on the temperatures you read in the enclosure. You want 100-110 or so basking area surface temps and between about 75-80 on the cool side. I suggest using an adjustable lamp stand so you can raise the lamp higher to reduce temps and lower to increase etc. You can also use a lamp dimmer if you have a fixed height on or above the tank. Are you going to use a reptile specific light such as the ZooMed Repti Basking Spot or a PAR38 halogen flood light from a hardware store?

For UVB you'll probably want a T5 tube but it depends on the dimensions of your tank? How tall/wide is your tank? A T5 will have an optimal output between about 12-14'' over the basking spot while a T8 has an optimal output at around 6-8'' with reflectors. Usually the 22'' T5 is sufficient for most tanks and the 18'' T8 is good.

 

[MushuHemmi]

Mushu is doing well in his(?) new tank The temperature on his basking hammock is right around 103 F. The cool side is 77 F. I have a 75 watt exo-Terra intense basking spot, the UVB is a reptisun 10.00 and 13 watts. I'm planning on getting a different UVB for him. The tank stays just at 70 F at night with the CHE. The tank Dimensions are 30 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 18 3/4 ,so 29 gallons. Should I do anything different?

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm glad to hear he's doing well. The temperatures all sound good. The 13w UVB isn't powerful enough for a tank that size though. I'd replace it with a T5 that you put right on top, ideally. Otherwise I'd get a T8 tube that sits about 6'' above the basking area or at least a 26w bulb (UVB200) that sits about 6'' up for best UVB output.

 

[MushuHemmi]

Sorry it took me so long to get back on here, but I'm back now! In mid February I bought a Zilla 11943 24-Inch Desert 50 UVB T8 Fluorescent Bulb, 17-Watt due to it being remotely cheap and having to so bad reviews.I put it in like you said and mushu found it interesting! He is happy and healthy at the moment

 

[CooperDragon]

That's great to hear! The Desert 50 bulb is decent based on my use and testing. It has optimal output between about 6-8''. You can also provide time outside in natural sunlight which is very beneficial.

 

[MushuHemmi]

He loves going outside! A few days ago I was outside with mushu on my chest, and a hawk was circling overhead. Mushu saw it and scooted under my hand! Cute and smart little guy!

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah they're good at scurrying out of the way. They can be SUPER fast when they need to be so keep an eye out for that. I live right near a hospital so my guys tend to be terrified by the helicopters. They can sense them and hide well before I can even hear them coming.

 

[MushuHemmi]

I got him a harness for that reaso! And he doesn't seem to mind it.