Bulb Question Lighting

[Bummblebee]

Hi new to bearded dragons I have owned Rock'O 2 days now.
Theres so much to digest when it comes to lighting Make it simple for me please what should I be using
Basking= What brand and what wattage (I have a 55 gallon tank w screen top lid)
Question will a regular houshold light bulb work if so what watt should it be

I am currently using a 100 watt light bulb it is 10inches away from his log he lays or sits on and his hammock is this to close? Or is this just plain wrong.

UVB= what brand and what watt I need to get one right now I have a long tube type its 1ft 17 inches and I belive well I just looked and the writing is rubbed off but it said dessert 7 ? uvb

I dont mind using a bulb type rather than tube type so UVB bulb type suggestions will help
Thank
click link to view pics of Rock'O https://picasaweb.google.com/Bummblebee/RockO

 

[Lara]

ive been using a reptiglo 10.0, though i hear its not as good as id hoped. Youll find most owners on this site use a reptisun tube, 10.0. Anything lower than 10 doesnt emit enough uvb rays. Tube or compact.
Basking light, for your tank id go for a 75 - 100 watt lamp. Im using an exo terra bulb. Google some of the basking lamps, thats how i learned. Ive heard of using a normal bulb to emit heat so it could work, just monitor the temps. Also, a basking lamp usually emits uva as well, which you wont find in a household bulb. (yes uva is needed as well)

 

[Bummblebee]

Thanx for your reply I wish they would make one brand it would make it so much easier I go to the pet store and am so overwhelmed and of course the pet store reccomends what ever is priced sky high. So thanx for your help

 

[Lara]

I agree with the one bulb idea. But the moment lizards became pets, it became a competitive trade. But it's a pleasure. Have a nice day

 

[PuffPuff11]

Most poeple will recommend the Repti-Sun 10.0 by zoomed, you can buy it at petmountain.com. My petstores around me don't sell it. Since you have the linear tube fixture buy the Repti-sun. Compact bulbs (regular/coil type) do not emit UV efficient for bearded dragons (too small of an area) and some have caused issues with eyes. Remember the screen will inhibit UV rays, put the UV light under the screen, and there is always a recommended distance (from light to beardie) for each particular light I belive it is 6-20 inches with the repti-sun, read the package insert, I don't have a reptisun so don't quote me.
As for the basking light I use a regular flood lamp (like you would use outside your garage). I think a 100W or 75W floodlamp would be fine, you can put it on a dimmer (attach it to a rheostat or make your own with a lightswitch dimmer) and adjust the temperature as needed. As for the basking light, distance is not the issue, temperature is. You need his basking area 100-110 F. If you buy the 100W and it is just WAY TOO HOT, return it and get a 75W. A brand would be Philips.
I could be wrong but I believe regular household bulbs do emit some UVA, someone correct me if im wrong. Even if they don't emit UVA your UV light will. So a regular bulb is fine for basking and cheaper.
Also you will need a thermometer, to make sure his basking area is the correc temp, you can get it at walmart or a home improvement store in the garden area. They are fairly cheap about 10-15$, and has a probe which is very accurate. Everyone here recommends the accurite, it will measure the ambient air on the cool side (in) and the temp at the probe the basking area (out) plus the humidity. This is what it looks like they are at walmart http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1301176469&sr=8-5 That is what I have had and works better than the reptile thermometers I have bought. Whatever you get make sure it has the probe, you can find them in garden sections.
Hope that helps.

 

[FBradshaw]

Regular household lights do emit a small amount of UVA, however not nearly enough. Luckily the ReptiSun 10.0 UV bulbs are all you need for special lighting. Any type of light that gives off heat will work for a basking lamp, just make sure your temps are right.