combined UVA and UVB bulbs?

[charizard]

hi, I'm a new owner and I'm setting up my Beardie enclosure lamps. I bought a UVA basking bulb, but the only available UVB bulbs are combined UVA and UVB. the store owner said that one combined bulb would be all I need for my beardie, but I'm worried it won't have sufficient UVB output for the little guy. (I'm not worried about UVA as I already have a high quality UVA lamp) Uncombined UVB bulbs are not available for sale currently. will the combined bulb provide sufficient UVB for him?

The combined bulb is a 220-240V and 50W halogen lamp, and the beardie I'm getting is roughly 7 months old.

will this combined bulb be enough? I want to make sure he has enough UVB to grow normally and healthily. I'll be able to replace the bulb when it starts to wear out.

secondly, should I set up both the combined one and the purely UVA one at the same time, or just the combined one?

thanks so much.

 

[xp29]

hi, I'm a new owner and I'm setting up my Beardie enclosure lamps. I bought a UVA basking bulb, but the only available UVB bulbs are combined UVA and UVB. the store owner said that one combined bulb would be all I need for my beardie, but I'm worried it won't have sufficient UVB output for the little guy. (I'm not worried about UVA as I already have a high quality UVA lamp) Uncombined UVB bulbs are not available for sale currently. will the combined bulb provide sufficient UVB for him?

The combined bulb is a 220-240V and 50W halogen lamp, and the beardie I'm getting is roughly 7 months old.

will this combined bulb be enough? I want to make sure he has enough UVB to grow normally and healthily. I'll be able to replace the bulb when it starts to wear out.

secondly, should I set up both the combined one and the purely UVA one at the same time, or just the combined one?

thanks so much.

The combo bulbs are usable but have draw backs. It's impossible to set it up for optimal uvb and basking temp at the same time. You'll have to compromise on uvb exposure vs basking temp.

 

[charizard]

The combo bulbs are usable but have draw backs. It's impossible to set it up for optimal uvb and basking temp at the same time. You'll have to compromise on uvb exposure vs basking temp.

could I use both bulbs at the same time (as in set up one next to the other) to get a more optimal temp for basking? I also own a heat mat if that works better. I'll look at getting a separate uvb next time I leave the country.
thanks for the help

 

[xp29]

You can use both bulbs as long as it isn't to hot

 

[Chris.]

The combo bulbs are usable but have draw backs. It's impossible to set it up for optimal uvb and basking temp at the same time. You'll have to compromise on uvb exposure vs basking temp.

That is right but a halogen bulb is NOT a combo bulb. Halogen bulbs do not put out uvb.

Good combo bulbs (in my experience) are mercury-vapor (mvb) or metal-halide-bulbs (mhb).
My two dragons both have a 100W mhb and they are perfectly fine as confirmed by the latest blood tests. You just might provide them a ramp or some gradient so they can regulate the distance they want.

 

[charizard]

That is right but a halogen bulb is NOT a combo bulb. Halogen bulbs do not put out uvb.

Good combo bulbs (in my experience) are mercury-vapor (mvb) or metal-halide-bulbs (mhb).
My two dragons both have a 100W mhb and they are perfectly fine as confirmed by the latest blood tests. You just might provide them a ramp or some gradient so they can regulate the distance they want.

awesome, thank you so much. my current combo bulb is a halogen lamp

 

[Chris.]

awesome, thank you so much. my current combo bulb is a halogen lamp

Yes and that is NOT a combo bulb, as mentioned. You'll need to supply some extra uvb, with a tube for example or get one of those mentioned above.
Do not get a coil uvb!

 

[ChileanTaco]

You just might provide them a ramp or some gradient so they can regulate the distance they want.

I'd recommend for this a thick branch that goes up at an angle, like in the attached photo of my dragon's enclosure. For reference, that branch has about 10 cm diameter.
My dragon is using this a lot, in combination with a climbing background providing more high basking spots and shady niches, and another climbing piece that was not there when the photo was taken (I not always take new photos but sometimes reuse older ones when the thing I want to show hasn't changed, and that's the case here, I want to highlight just the branch).

(My setup is with halogen, UVA basking lamp and Zoomed T5 tube. Halogen and UVA basking lamp will only provide heat, light in the optical range, and some UVA, but not the super critical UVB the dragon also needs.)