Beginner Bearded Dragon Owner

[AHBD]

I've used MVB [ mercury vapor bulbs ] , they are controversial because some people feel that their dragon avoids it but mine basked at 12=16" depending on what the wattage is. For an 80-100 or 125 watt I kept it around 12", no closer. For a 160 I'd keep it 16-18".
I've never used metal halide.
It's worth mentioning that all of my beardies were partly raised in the sun, spending many hours outside each week during the warm months so they had the best uvb outside of course.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for your help! But with the temperatures, what bulb do I get? I feel as if the bulb I currently have is wayy too strong, also considering the height of my basking spot. I did some research and I'm being told to get a thermostat or something like that to adjust my temperature and humidity. I'll be getting two probe thermometers and hygrometers soon.

You need 2 digital probe thermometers to get the wattage of the bulb ---- this will determine this---- you dont want temps over 110 F for an adult - adults like 95-100-- cool side of the tank 80ish--- that is ambient temp - hot side around 100 ambient-- anything over 110 is too hot -- UVB should be placed in the tank for a fine screen distance 12-15 inches and they need to be able to sit directly under it --

 

[quantum]

You need 2 digital probe thermometers to get the wattage of the bulb ---- this will determine this---- you dont want temps over 110 F for an adult - adults like 95-100-- cool side of the tank 80ish--- that is ambient temp - hot side around 100 ambient-- anything over 110 is too hot -- UVB should be placed in the tank for a fine screen distance 12-15 inches and they need to be able to sit directly under it --

Just to make sure, UVB is basically every light right?

 

[Chris.]

Metal halide bulbs are the standard here, both breeders that I got my dragons from use them exclusively. If they are not as comon in the states you can go for a two bulb setup.

Its gonna involve more hassle and meassuring distances and stuff so you might want to conclude with @KarrieRee for this she's the expert on that!

And no, all the bulbs you need (especially the uvb) will be special bulbs you won't find in any hardware store...

 

[KarrieRee]

Just to make sure, UVB is basically every light right?

You need one good UVB in a fixture placed in the tank -- good UVB's are Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb 24 watt -- or a Sunblaster Nano Tech w/ the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb -- from the pic I see long tubular bulbs and one fixture w/ a long tube in it -- what is the brand and bulb in that one fixture ? These are all 24" fixtures I am talking about

 

[quantum]

You need one good UVB in a fixture placed in the tank -- good UVB's are Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb 24 watt -- or a Sunblaster Nano Tech w/ the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb -- from the pic I see long tubular bulbs and one fixture w/ a long tube in it -- what is the brand and bulb in that one fixture ? These are all 24" fixtures I am talking about

One picture?

 

[quantum]

You need one good UVB in a fixture placed in the tank -- good UVB's are Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb 24 watt -- or a Sunblaster Nano Tech w/ the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb -- from the pic I see long tubular bulbs and one fixture w/ a long tube in it -- what is the brand and bulb in that one fixture ? These are all 24" fixtures I am talking about

And honestly, I know nothing about what lights to get, etc. I have a basking lamp and some cool side lamp, but I learned those aren't necessary. I found out there's three types, UVA, UVB, AND UVC. I have no clue what all those three are or what they do.

 

[KarrieRee]

And honestly, I know nothing about what lights to get, etc. I have a basking lamp and some cool side lamp, but I learned those aren't necessary. I found out there's three types, UVA, UVB, AND UVC. I have no clue what all those three are or what they do.

I am going to post links for what you need --- UVA is produced by your basking bulb - they are a clear solid bright white bulb - examples are Flukers basking --- Exo Terra Intense -- or Arcadia Halogen bulb - look on this site for these bulbs I mentioned they dont carry Arcadia halogen Best Reptile Incandescent Bulbs (Free Shipping) - PetMountain.com
UVB is crucial for over all health and skin - it also prevents MBD --
24" fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the 10.0 bulb I mentioned in my previous post
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO High Output Terrarium Hood
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO High Output Fluorescent Bulb
this can be found at PetSmart
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood
https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0= this one needs to have the bulb changed out to the Reptisun 10.0 T5 bulb
digital probe thermometers 2 of them Zoo Med Digital Thermometer
You only need one good UVB and a good basking bulb - the thermometers are going to tell you what wattage of a bulb you need - take the probe place on the spot where the dragon sits 10 min or so get the temp -- how old is the dragon? babies like 105-110 and dragons 6 months and up 95-100 --

 

[quantum]

I am going to post links for what you need --- UVA is produced by your basking bulb - they are a clear solid bright white bulb - examples are Flukers basking --- Exo Terra Intense -- or Arcadia Halogen bulb - look on this site for these bulbs I mentioned they dont carry Arcadia halogen Best Reptile Incandescent Bulbs (Free Shipping) - PetMountain.com
UVB is crucial for over all health and skin - it also prevents MBD --
24" fixture comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the 10.0 bulb I mentioned in my previous post
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO High Output Terrarium Hood
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO High Output Fluorescent Bulb
this can be found at PetSmart
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood
https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0= this one needs to have the bulb changed out to the Reptisun 10.0 T5 bulb
digital probe thermometers 2 of them Zoo Med Digital Thermometer
You only need one good UVB and a good basking bulb - the thermometers are going to tell you what wattage of a bulb you need - take the probe place on the spot where the dragon sits 10 min or so get the temp -- how old is the dragon? babies like 105-110 and dragons 6 months and up 95-100 --

This helped me so much, but a few more questions I have to ask. The UVA is my basking bulb which I already own, and is the UVB bulb just Ultraviolet light? Also are the UVA and UVB bulb supposed to be together or on different parts of the enclosure? I also figured out a UVC bulb is not necessary.

 

[KarrieRee]

This helped me so much, but a few more questions I have to ask. The UVA is my basking bulb which I already own, and is the UVB bulb just Ultraviolet light? Also are the UVA and UVB bulb supposed to be together or on different parts of the enclosure? I also figured out a UVC bulb is not necessary.

UVB is ultraviolet light - we get that from the sun so to speak the UVB is his sunlight- it is good to take them outside in the summer for good UVB - 15 minutes out in the sun is equivalent to 4 hrs from the UVB- the UVB helps them absorb and synthesize the calcium he is getting - it is recommended you have the bulbs together but not necessary - your dragon will go to the bulb he needs - if the tank is big enough like a 120 gallon I have two basking spots for my dragon - the middle of the tank w/ a basking bulb + the UVB - and then the back of the tank is the hot side of the tank - middle temps range from 90-95 and the hot side ranges from 95-100 or so here is a pic for reference

 

[quantum]

UVB is ultraviolet light - we get that from the sun so to speak the UVB is his sunlight- it is good to take them outside in the summer for good UVB - 15 minutes out in the sun is equivalent to 4 hrs from the UVB- the UVB helps them absorb and synthesize the calcium he is getting - it is recommended you have the bulbs together but not necessary - your dragon will go to the bulb he needs - if the tank is big enough like a 120 gallon I have two basking spots for my dragon - the middle of the tank w/ a basking bulb + the UVB - and then the back of the tank is the hot side of the tank - middle temps range from 90-95 and the hot side ranges from 95-100 or so here is a pic for reference

Thank you so much!!! So if I place my UVB and UVA bulbs apart and in different spots of the enclosure he'll just move to what light he needs?

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you so much!!! So if I place my UVB and UVA bulbs apart and in different spots of the enclosure he'll just move to what light he needs?

He will but try and get them as close together as possible - the pic posted is your tank correct? You have a solid wood top and 3 long tube lights in the tank w/ your basking bulb? Can you post a pic from the front of the tank so I can see the whole tank not just the roof

 

[quantum]

UVB is ultraviolet light - we get that from the sun so to speak the UVB is his sunlight- it is good to take them outside in the summer for good UVB - 15 minutes out in the sun is equivalent to 4 hrs from the UVB- the UVB helps them absorb and synthesize the calcium he is getting - it is recommended you have the bulbs together but not necessary - your dragon will go to the bulb he needs - if the tank is big enough like a 120 gallon I have two basking spots for my dragon - the middle of the tank w/ a basking bulb + the UVB - and then the back of the tank is the hot side of the tank - middle temps range from 90-95 and the hot side ranges from 95-100 or so here is a pic for reference

And just to make sure, you keep both on for around 12 hours, and turn both off for 12 hours or is it something different? I know you're not supposed to keep the lights on for 24 hours though.

He will but try and get them as close together as possible - the pic posted is your tank correct? You have a solid wood top and 3 long tube lights in the tank w/ your basking bulb? Can you post a pic from the front of the tank so I can see the whole tank not just the roof

The pic posted is not my tank, but I can post it:

 

[AHBD]

Just to jump in here, on your profile it says that you have a Thrive 10.0 as your uvb and a Thrive 10.0 as your basking bulb ? So are there 2 of the same type of bulbs ?

 

[KarrieRee]

And just to make sure, you keep both on for around 12 hours, and turn both off for 12 hours or is it something different? I know you're not supposed to keep the lights on for 24 hours though.

The pic posted is not my tank, but I can post it:

Ok what size is the tank? 40 gallon? What is in the other dome? Please get a digital probe on the top of that piece of decor hes on --- you need the temp of where hes sitting -- your UVB is going to need to be unobstructed meaning NO screen so that big tall piece of decor you may haft to lay down if you can or get some different lower decor - you dont want him so close to the baking bulb your gonna get real hot temps thats why you need that probe -- UVB will need to be approx 12-15 inches directly over the basking decor