Exo Terra Terarrium Help Needed

[mobseed]

Hi there,
I am researching for a good setup for a Bearded Dragon.
I had one years ago but for life-reasons I had to leave the country and donate it to a good friend.

Well my problem now is that I want to get an Exo Terra terarrium ( 90cm x 45cm x 30 cm) .

What I dont understand is why fixtures should I get for lighting ... as I would like to get them from Exo Terra too . I saw that the Bearded Dragon kit from Exo Terra is does not includes the Compact Top fixture. What I want to know is if I need the Compact Top ( is thig enough for UVB and Heat Bulb ?? ) or shoud I get a DOME ( for basketing) and also a Linear Top ( Neon Tube ).

For me this is confusing and maybe you can help me here .

Really want to re-search and build his house before I get it.

Thank you

 

[CooperDragon]

I would go with the taller version of that one. At least 45cm tall. I have that one and it's even a bit small for an adult unless you provide time to roam outside the tank. For lighting, I use a dome fixture on an adjustable stand and a 90w GE PAR38 halogen flood light (1790 lumens). I have an Arcadia 12% T5 UVB bulb in a 36'' fixture. A 24'' fixture with a 22'' bulb would work too. That needs to be about 12'' above the main basking area.


This is my tank with a 24'' T5 UVB tube over the basking area. The dome on the right has a heat projector bulb for overnight use in the winter.

 

[fubardad]

@CooperDragon... You mention the 45cm tall (That would be the 90 x 45 x 45 cm "Large Wide") but as a first choice? There is also a (90 x 45 x 60 cm "Large Tall"). I ask because while I am in the US, I found a great deal of the "Large Wide" for $140 but the "Large Tall" would cost around $220. Just curious on your opinion if keeping the "Large Wide" is worth it or going with the "Large Tall" should be my overall goal?

 

[CooperDragon]

The large "wide" is the one I have. I'd get the taller one if you can. The extra height will make it easier to set up lighting and allow climbing areas. With my 18'' tall I keep the top off of it and suspend the lighting overhead so I can build the climbing areas a bit higher. If I had a choice though I'd get an even larger tank or build a larger one. I give my guy a lot of time out of the tank to make up for the small tank size.

 

[fubardad]

@CooperDragon, thank you for responding. Im going to start a new thread with the same topic because I am new to the forum and I am unsure if I continue the thread for my relevance, it would be considered hijacking?

But thank you for that input. It just hurts to lose the deal I got but if I have to change later on... its not so much of a deal!?!

 

[mobseed]

So what kind of Fixtures I need to get from Exo Terra ? The ones for NEONS or the COMPACT TOP for Bulbs ?

 

[CooperDragon]

You don't necessarily need Exo Terra branded lights. Generally speaking those aren't all that high quality really. For a tank that size I suggest getting a 24'' or 36'' T5 fixture with a reflector. These are often found at gardening or hydroponic stores. Then use a 22'' (or 34'') T5 Arcadia 12% or ReptiSun 10.0 bulb for the fixture. For the basking light I like using brooder lamp domes from a farm store. They are cheaper than reptile branded domes but have a high wattage capacity and heavy duty wiring. https://www.farmandhomesupply.com/bayco-10-1-2-brooder-clamp-light.html

 

[mobseed]

Thank you for answering, I want to take from ExoTerra because I want to fit perfectly .

I will also look for other options too...

What I dont understand is that if I get the compact top ( from Exo Terra 90cm long) I still need a Basketing bulb ?

The Compact Top has 4 fixtures inside .... i use 3 for UVB and 1 for basketing?

That I dont understand..

 

[CooperDragon]

The compact fluorescent tops are ok with smaller tanks if you use bulbs that are strong enough. The 26w UVB200 is an OK bulb when used with a fixture and reflector like that, but using a lower powered bulb may not produce enough UVB at the distance set with a larger tank. I prefer using a T5 for UVB because of the nice wide even beam of UVB it produces. I also like using a separate fixture for basking lights so I can raise/lower it to adjust the temperature in the tank. The UVB light should be at a set distance based on the power of the bulb but the basking light depends on the surface temps it produces which can vary depending on the wattage of the bulb or even the ambient temperature of the room which can change with seasons.

 

[mobseed]

The compact fluorescent tops are ok with smaller tanks if you use bulbs that are strong enough. The 26w UVB200 is an OK bulb when used with a fixture and reflector like that, but using a lower powered bulb may not produce enough UVB at the distance set with a larger tank. I prefer using a T5 for UVB because of the nice wide even beam of UVB it produces. I also like using a separate fixture for basking lights so I can raise/lower it to adjust the temperature in the tank. The UVB light should be at a set distance based on the power of the bulb but the basking light depends on the surface temps it produces which can vary depending on the wattage of the bulb or even the ambient temperature of the room which can change with seasons.

Now I am even more into the FOG !!!! My plans are ruined now since I already found an exoterra enclosure with a Compact Top 90cm and basketing light ...

Are the those good for my bearded dragon : http://exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php or NOT ???

I want to have the whole enclosure from Exo Terra since they will all fit together super-nice ...

terarrium : Exo Terra 90 x 45 x 45 cm / 36” x 18” x 18” (WxDxH)
hood for light: Compact Top Large 90 x 9 x 20 cm 36” x 3.5” x 7.8” // with this i must use COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS
Then I will need a LIGHT DOME / ALUMINUM UV REFLECTOR LAMP from exoterra too....

This setup will be good for my dragon ? or NOT ?

 

[fubardad]

Now I am even more into the FOG !!!! My plans are ruined now since I already found an exoterra enclosure with a Compact Top 90cm and basketing light ...

Are the those good for my bearded dragon : http://exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php or NOT ???

I want to have the whole enclosure from Exo Terra since they will all fit together super-nice ...

terarrium : Exo Terra 90 x 45 x 45 cm / 36” x 18” x 18” (WxDxH)
hood for light: Compact Top Large 90 x 9 x 20 cm 36” x 3.5” x 7.8” // with this i must use COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS
Then I will need a LIGHT DOME / ALUMINUM UV REFLECTOR LAMP from exoterra too....

This setup will be good for my dragon ? or NOT ?

I think something is being missed in translation. I am new to this hobby but what I believe CooperDragon is trying to represent is that you do not need to go specifically with a Exo Terra hood and uvb lights for your tank.

But since you want an Exo Terra hood, get the 26w UVB bulb (PT2189 Repti Glo 10.0 Compact 26W) That was from the weblink you posted.

I am getting the same tank, but just taller, and I will be getting the Zoo Med T5 HO 24" and a Reptisun UVB10.0 T5 HO bulb. The main point of it is to provide strong/stronger UVB lighting because on my current tank 30x12x12 I bought the Exo Terra 13w UVB bulb and I dont think it produces enough light to be effective with a bigger tank. I personally think it barely covers my current tank and its in a dome so it doesnt cover 75% of the tank.

 

[CooperDragon]

^yes. If you do use the Exo Terra fixture then go with the 26w UVB200 (it's called that now rather than Repti Glo). It's the most powerful of the line and should provide adequate UVB about 6-10'' from the fixture. As far as basking lights go, it may be difficult to get one to mount sideways in the hood and produce a wide beam of bright light and adequate temps but I'd start by testing some high wattage incandescent bulbs and see if they do the trick. You may need to try several bulbs and test surface temps to find one that meets your needs with that fixture.

 

[mobseed]

^yes. If you do use the Exo Terra fixture then go with the 26w UVB200 (it's called that now rather than Repti Glo). It's the most powerful of the line and should provide adequate UVB about 6-10'' from the fixture. As far as basking lights go, it may be difficult to get one to mount sideways in the hood and produce a wide beam of bright light and adequate temps but I'd start by testing some high wattage incandescent bulbs and see if they do the trick. You may need to try several bulbs and test surface temps to find one that meets your needs with that fixture.

Well near the Compact Top I can put an extra Dome/Lamp where I can put a bulb ? Right ?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yes

 

[mobseed]

I also read some things about that between the dragon and the UVB shouldn’t be anything ( glass, net, ) since it will stop the UVB . Also on the ExoTerra Compact top I have to put 4 Repti Glo 10.0 bulbs right ?