Any and All LIGHTING do's and don't.

[HappiDragon]

I just found out I was using the wrong light for my dragons I've looked through the forum some and found alot of different ideas... What I am asking is What are the main DO'S and the main DON"T in what you should and shouldn't use AND why...

Thank you in advance, from me and my 3 beardies :study: :study: :study: :study:

 

[fresnowitte]

There are only 2 brand of the fluorescent tubes that are adequate for sun dwelling/basking reptiles like beardies the Reptisun 10.0 http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-bulb.html These are the only 2 that put out the correct wavelengths and levels of UVB for beardies. Others have and are know to cause health issues.

I'm not sure of the Arcadia as I'm in the US but the reptisun must be within 6" to 8" of the basking spot. Also the bulb needs to be replaced every 6 months. It should be as close to the length of your enclosure as possible. With the fluorescent tubes you need to use the calcium w/D3.

Or if your enclosures is 40gal or better you could us a Mercury Vapor Bulb.
I suggest due to some of the recent issues with a few of the companies that produce these bulbs that anyone thinking of using one at this time do a thorough google search of the site using the brand name and wattage of the MVB before hand. Also some MVB's have changed to needing to be changed every 6 months like the Solar Glo's I'm not sure if the other are still every year. And the distance from basking spot to MVB should never be closer than 12" and best at about 14". With the MVB you would need to burn in the bulb before using and you also would need to use the calcium without D3.

Never ever use a coil type, compact type, ESU brand, Retiglo, or generic bulbs.

Here's an article that may be helpful "Introduction to UV Light."
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/uvintro/

Also this site is packed full of information about the different types of UVB bulbs, what creatures benefit best from what type of bulbs, testing results with graphs that show the different outputs....etc...
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

Hope that helps some. :wink:

 

[HappiDragon]

Thank you! I will look into those!! :study:

 

[fresnowitte]

There's also a conversation going on over here about MVB's but the thread isn't limited to just them. :wink:
Might find something useful there too.
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=125865

 

[schwalby]

I don't mean to hyjack the thread but I am pretty sure this goes right along with the OPs questions.

I am new to BDs also and after reading through a bunch of posts on here I still have one question (at least for now) I am going to build my own enclouser and I am thinking it will most likely be longer then 48". Since there doesn't appear to be a Reptisun longer the 48" is it ok to over lap them a little. For example the tank is 65" long can I use two 36" bulbs to span the length of the tank or will that 7" overlap create a spot that will harm the BD. I know combining a 48" and 18" gets clouser to 65" but I am just throwing out numbers to explain what I mean.

 

[vicon]

dont meant to steal it either but which heating bulb is recommended? i know for uvb i have a reptisun 10.0 but which uva should i use?

 

[fresnowitte]

UVA is released from all bright white light bulbs. You can use a basking bulb but I never have. I use the Phillip's halogen flood bulbs. I have ranges of 45watt to 60watt...I purchase mine at Home Depot.

 

[vicon]

so any light that produces heat is ok?

 

[fresnowitte]

so any light that produces heat is ok?

As long as it is bright/crisp white ones with clear glass the frosted ones will not work the same the frosted coating blocks the UVA from escaping the bulb. :wink:

 

[brian8010]

My beardie is twoish years old, and when I got him last fall, he came with a reptiglo bulb and zoomed basking light. I've never had any health issues nor did the last owner from using these. I still use them and they are fine. ??

 

[fresnowitte]

Brian the problem with the reptiglo is the levels of UVB they put out. Basking sundwelling reptiles require more UVB than other reptiles. Some beardies may exist under the Reptiglos for several years however some may not exist under them for even weeks before being affected. You may have gotten lucky but in most cases beardies can not thrive under this light.

Don't take my word for it...check out that bulb for yourself. Google search at the top of the page for some of the problems others have had with that particular bulb.

Also check out the links and graphs link on this page... http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttubes.htm
Especially the graph on this page.... http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.htm