Better Lighting on the Way

[saratxgibson]

Have just ordered my 24" Reptisun 10.0 bulb. Currently have a light blue basking bulb and want to change it out for a "bright white" bulb that I saw mentioned in the care sheets. I can't find any bulbs that say they are bright white. Can someone provide a picture of the packaging or bulb that I am looking for our give me good alternatives?


Also, I keep finding Smaug in the shade of her basking log, is that bc of the bad UVB coming from her current coil bulb?

 

[HKzForDayz]

Have just ordered my 24" Reptisun 10.0 bulb. Currently have a light blue basking bulb and want to change it out for a "bright white" bulb that I saw mentioned in the care sheets. I can't find any bulbs that say they are bright white. Can someone provide a picture of the packaging or bulb that I am looking for our give me good alternatives?


Also, I keep finding Smaug in the shade of her basking log, is that bc of the bag UVB coming from her current coil bulb?

The problem with coil bulbs isnt the bad UV, it is that they do not produce enough UV. The UVB200 bulbs DO produce adequate UVB but in order to achieve the proper gradient you would need to have multiple fixtures. There used to be a lot of issues with the CFL bulbs emitting dangerous UVC rays, but I think the popular manufacturers are all safe in that aspect now.

The bright white doesnt have to be necessarily be as white as can be in color temperature, Mosst of use Halogen flood lights, which have a very bright yellowishwhite color to them, or basking spot bulbs. I personally like the zoomed basking bulbs, you can get a 2 pack for 10 bucks on amazon, pic below.

 

[saratxgibson]

Follow up question - so there is no such thing as a bulb labeled "bright white," it's just the idea of it being white and not having a color glaze on the bulb? Or does it mean the clear bulb and not clear at all? I'm concerned bc Smaug squints a lot and I don't know the reason behind this. That combined with laying in the shadows is concerning me

Also, does anyone know if the Reptisun 10.0 is a T5 or T8 size bulb? I've got to get the fixture here at the same time as the bulb if at all possible. Thanks!

 

[HKzForDayz]

Whether or not to go t5 or t8 depends on what terrarium size of terrarium and how close to the bulb your dragon will be able to get.

Also, if your dragon is avoiding basking area, it is most likely due to temps being off. How are you recording surface temps in your basking area and what kinda temps are you getting? Are you overlapping your uv and basking lights? The basking light helps to make it easier for the eyes to handle the uv from your uv bulb. Also how close to your uv bulb can your dragon currently get?

 

[ancapper]

They come in both, what length you get?

 

[saratxgibson]

So, I'm pretty sure that my lighting is out of whack. Yesterday and today were the first times I found her laying in the shadows (not gaping) and the temps were about 103 on the hot end; in the past though she has been found gaping on her basking log with temps around 108. Here are the current lights that I'm trying to update:

- 150W Day Blue Light by Zilla as her basking light.
- 20 Watt Flourescent Coil Bulb by Zilla as her UVB bulb (we ordered the 24" Reptisun 10.0 and don't know if it is a T5 or T8 - can't figure out how to tell)
- 50 Watt Night Black Heat Bulb that we haven't used except to raise her cool end to 85-90 degrees

The bulbs are in the shade type holders with a ceramic top. The one that holds the basking lamp is on the left of her 20g long and the UVB is next to it (pretty much in the center). The night bulb is on the right and we don't turn it on. It's just there most of the time.

Note: She is a baby (about 6 weeks old) and should be moving into being called a juvenile soon though I don't know when that actually happens.

We are monitoring temperature with two dial style thermometers.
Basking end: 100-110 at the highest point of basking log
Cool end: 83-87 degrees

She lives in 20g long right now, but we will be moving to either a 40g breeder or 55g as she grows so we would like to invest in the right things for her now so we aren't purchasing again. All in, she's cost about $500 in the first two weeks we've had her. But she pays off in sweetness.

 

[HKzForDayz]

If you are using a dial thermometer and youre getting temps around 103, your basking surface temps are probably about 20 degrees higher. 150 watt is extreme for a 20g. I use dimmed down 75w for my babies' 40 gals.

I would get an IR temp gun , like this

Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun, Yellow/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_-Fxhxb4XKD72Z

The night bulb is useless, beardies have excellent color vision and can see the light emitted from these. They typically dont need night heat unless your temps go below 65. If they do, you can use a ceramic heat emitter. If the bulb doesnt say HO ln it , (high output) it is probably a t8. What is the wattage on it? If it is a t8, def get a fixture with a reflector. Also make sure your dragon can get from 6 to i inches from the bulb if its t8.

 

[saratxgibson]

The reptisun 10.0 24 inch bulb that we are ordering is 17 Watts

 

[HKzForDayz]

That is a t8 bulb then. The t5 is 22" and 24w.

 

[saratxgibson]

Thank you for your help. I'm bummed that I didn't get the one that would require less set up. I might just return the T8 and try again for the T5. Thank you again.