40 gallon lighting

[gmagee]

a reptisun 5.0 wouldn't be enough? I know the "go-to" is the 10.0 but I don't know if the people buying those have like 90gallon tanks... http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4282557 would be a great deal if it was large enough to get the job done

 

[Kajolic]

Just to throw you a quick reply...

You will need 10.0 regardless of length of the bulb or the tank size. For a 40 gal I want to say 48" bulb is too big, so a 36" would do just fine, as long as you mount it above the basking side. I would think a 24" would be too small.
The 10.0 is a intensity of the UV-B emittion from the bulb, Bearded Dragon require 10.0, 5.0 would not provide enough.

Never used Compact Flourescent (CFL) bulbs, they can/will cause eye issues/strain on your Bearded Dragon if you do.

That heat bulb with the combo would would from a spot lamp, as long as you are getting ~105F at the basking spot. If you are looking to just use one bulb for basking and UV-B...Look inot Murcery Vapor Bulbs (MVB). They will provide both, as well as D3, so you would not need D3 in the Calcium powder, but if you do not use MVB bulbs you will need D3 in the Calcium powder.

 

[gmagee]

Ohhh... so if you get a MVB bulb you won't need a UVB bulb(reptisun 10.0, etc) at all? That could be an interesting cost saver if thats the case.

 

[Kajolic]

Reptisun 10.0 36" - Replaced every 6 months ~$54.00 (at lowest Google Shopping listed price)
Zoomed Powersun UV 160 watt - Replace yearly (if I'm not mistaken) - ~$50-70

I wouldn't think cost, more convenience and Viv setup. For me I wanted a low profile Viv 4'x2'x18" so I have undermounted basking light fixtures with a Reptisun 10.0 36". So I wouldn't have been able to use a MVB unless I cut a hole in the top of the tank and had (to me) a hideous dome light fixture atop the tank. I use mine for decor and a possible space for a box turtle which would provide some nice day heat from the Viv below, but that is awhile away.

Also, if I remember proper, I don't think you can put a MVB on a dimmer switch. I remember many months back I had a dicussion on that matter and want to say I researched that you cannot. Correct if wrong on that matter.

 

[gmagee]

yeah i just watched a video and learned 5.0 and 10.0 really have nothing to do with price or how great they are or anything. Its just that BD's need 10.0 because they are desert reptiles whereas tropical's are 5.0 assuming ex. chinese water Dragon.

 

[Esther19]

Reptisun bulbs can be found much cheaper at petmountain.com. For a 40g tank, a 24" bulb is good. A 36" will be too long.

 

[gmagee]

yeah I just noticed pet mountain is pretty well priced for a lot of things. Are 5 1/2" dome lights an okay size for a 40 gallon as long as you get good enough bulbs? I have access to them and a small tank for when its a baby just want to know when it grows older will I have to get new lamps when I upgrade to a 40 gallon. Have access to 2 ceramic 5 1/2"s and a strip fixture so I could make one a CHE if I need more heat maybe, and one as the basking.. basically have all the materials for a small 10 gallon, 2 lamps, 1 uvb fixture to last me for now, end of september will get a 40 gallon, christmas I can make its setup even better just wanted to know if it could work until then. Rome wasn't built in a day

 

[Kajolic]

[...]
A 36" will be too long.

You're right, 40 gallon tanks are roughly 36" and unless you angled it, it would be too long. But I agree, 24" is more than enough. Not sure what I was thinking at time of posting.