Double Checking My Lighting Bulb Safety For My Dragon...

[JenMac]

Hello all:

I posted a recent posting with lighting questions since I just got my first baby bearded dragon, but I have a few more questions... After testing out one basking bulb, the 100w Zoo-Med Basking Spot Lamp (http://www.petco.com/product/10811/Zoo-Med-Repti-Basking-Spot-Lamp-Bulb-Value-Pack.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch) which states that it has a 35 degree beam and mixed with our 75 degree apartment, this would be perfect. I just wanted to make sure that this light will do no harm to my dragon. I don't want to burn his eyes and I want to be sure he is still getting what he needs from this bulb. Could anyone tell me?

One more... my UVB light. I have the ReptiSun 5.0 bulb, 18", running along the back of the screen (~30" screen) and my 5.5" dome placed on the right side in front of the UVB. I know that the MVB's are a better solution for heating/UVB, but I spent all this money on lighting and figures and thought I'd at least get a bulb's worth out of each of them. I am wondering, however, if it would be best to upgrade to the 10.0 bulb. Right now it's placed on a screen about 11" from the ground, 9" from his basking spot. Should I buy something that monitors the UVB or is it best just to use the 10.0 bulb for beardies?

Thank you, in advance! I have learned SO much from peoples' help... these forums are great!

Jennifer

 

[Volkert314]

I have the Reptisun 10.0 because I know I read on here(as well as on the box) that a screened cover reduces the UVB output. That much I do know, but than again, my UVB reader took a dive thanks to my daughter so I don't know the exact difference. But that's from what I remember, I don't know exactly how much a difference it will make or if you'll be ok for the time you use the 5.0 bulb.

 

[Youkai]

I'd say that either the ReptiSun 5.0 or 10.0 are good bulbs and should be fine, you just have to make a few adjustments to get the maximum benefit from them.
As Volkert314 mentioned, with the 10.0, your beardie should be able to get within 6-8 inches from the bulb for the best UVB absorption. With the 5.0, that distance is going to be shorter since that bulb doesn't put out as much UVB as the 10.0.
Also, the screen does block a significant amount of UVB, so you want to take that into consideration as well. I had thought it blocked about 5-10% but I seem to remember saying that before and someone corrected me and said it was much higher like 30+% gets blocked by the screen.
You could search for the actual numbers, there are a few older posts here when the specifics are detailed.

As for the basking bulbs, to my knowledge, any household bulb will work but I believe you want to try to stick with the "soft white" type bulbs.
Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think when they say it's a "35 degree beam" they are actually referring to the shape of the "cone" of light. It's a 35 degree spread, or cone. That's going to focus more light to a smaller area than say something with a 60 degree beam (the beam would be larger, covering more area)

I've come across so many outside factors that affect the temps in my babies viv that I think I'd have gone crazy if I hadn't experimented with different wattages and bulb types. It really helped me learn what works in my viv and what doesn't. So having said that, I think it's great that you're trying to figure out what works best for you and your beardie. :mrgreen:

HTH