Heating/Lighting question

[johnnytrad]

I currently have a baby bearded in a 10 gallon tank.
Someone gave me a 30 gallon which i plan to use until i can build a custom enclosure.
For this size tank would a Exo Terra Solar Glow 160 watt Bulb in the deep dome ceramic enclosure work?
Description of the bulb - Optimal levels of UVB, UVA, visual light and heat in one bulb Self-ballasted mercury vapour bulb Provides the benefits of natural sunlight Helps prevent metabolic bone disease Increased UVB penetration distance (+30 cm)

Also, at night time would i need an infared or other heat source or is it ok without?
The temp of the room at night averages 68 degrees.
thanks!

 

[Fredsdad]

I'm new to this as well, but at night you don't have a light at all. No lights other than white lights.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

A 160 watt mvb would be too much for a 30 gallon tank. It is actually recommended to use a 100 watt mvb with a 40 gallon tank, at minimum.
I am not sure if Exo Terra has straightened out their problems with the Solar Glo mvb's as of yet. They were having issues with the uvb wavelengths.
You might want to consider getting a ReptiSUN 10 fluorescent tube for you UVB. These are proven to be one of the best UVB's on the market and will work well with a 30 gallon tank. If you do go with the Reptisun... make sure it runs at least 2/3 the length of the tank.

You do not need any heat at night unless the temps in your home drop below 65 degrees. If you do need heat, then a ceramic heat emitter is what you will want to use. These provide heat; but no light.

Hope this helps!

 

[johnnytrad]

HI,
Would the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube also be used as the primary heat source or do i need an additional unit for that?

 

[Cnochur]

You would need a basking bulb besides. UV lights don't make nearly enough heat for them.

 

[johnnytrad]

ok that makes sense!
Is the exo terra issue known and documented (if i call them will they admit there is an issue?)
i would prefer to have one bulb do everything (if of course it is capable to do so)
Or is there another brand that is better? (zoo med power sun?)

 

[Cnochur]

It's one of those cases where you can't trust the company, since the company would rather they sell bulbs and hurt lizards than admit they screwed up. Kinda like the whole sand substrate thing- they know it's dangerous, but it makes money.

Safe bet is to use the UV light in combination with a good basking bulb. And make sure the UV light isn't blocked by the screen of the enclosure's lid (assuming that's the kind of enclosure you have).

 

[johnnytrad]

what do you mean make sure its not blocked by the screen? it wouldsit on top of the screen pointing down into the tank. is that not the correct way?

 

[BadCon]

Screens, depending on the thickness of the mesh, will block some of the UVB. For a tight mesh screen it can be as much as a 40% reduction in overall UVB output. Because Fluorescent tubes already have pretty low output to begin with, its a good idea to locate the UVB tube under the screen some how. Though it isn't required, its one of those things that's recommended.

 

[Cnochur]

I cut a hole in the screen that's about half the length of the bulb, and put aluminum foil behind the bulb to reflect more UV into the tank. They lose alot of UV through those screens, which gives them metabolic problems that could be very bad for them.

 

[johnnytrad]

I want to get a ceramic heat emitter for at night. The question is what wattage would be sufficient for a 30 gallon tank

 

[lauraj1055]

ok that makes sense!
Is the exo terra issue known and documented (if i call them will they admit there is an issue?)
i would prefer to have one bulb do everything (if of course it is capable to do so)
Or is there another brand that is better? (zoo med power sun?)

The Zoo Med Powersun is a good MVB bulb, I just ordered one myself based on my breeder's recommendations. She sells them at their store www.beardeddragon.co and has used her UVB meters to test them.. So, if you want an MVB, I would recommened the powersun. I am using a 10 gallon tank right now, and use a 40 watt household bulb, and that gets the basking to 105. I also have a reptisun 10.0 over the top of it, with no screen for now until my custom viv is done (hopefully this weekend) Then I will be switching my baby over the the PowerSun 160 watt.

 

[lauraj1055]

I want to get a ceramic heat emitter for at night. The question is what wattage would be sufficient for a 30 gallon tank

You do not need a CHE for night unless your temps drop below 65 degrees.

 

[johnnytrad]

the temp in the bedroom at night is approx 68 degrees but can get colder. would a small 40 watt bulb on the opposite corner of where he sleeps just be enugh insurance so it doesnt get too cold?
the last few nights he has been sleeping in the corner of the tanks about halfway up the glass (weird position to sleep in as hes not flat on the ground)

 

[lauraj1055]

the temp in the bedroom at night is approx 68 degrees but can get colder. would a small 40 watt bulb on the opposite corner of where he sleeps just be enugh insurance so it doesnt get too cold?
the last few nights he has been sleeping in the corner of the tanks about halfway up the glass (weird position to sleep in as hes not flat on the ground)

Mine does the same thing.. they sleep in weird positions as babies.. Honestly, they need to cool down at night to be able to put their body in 'shut down' mode for them to get proper sleep. Keeping it too warm can interrupt their sleep. My house in the winter gets around 65 at night, and I will wrap them in a towel if I think it's way too cold.. but in the summer, even with my ac on, I don't worry about it... Like I said, they need that cool down period at night. If you think it's too cold, wrap him in a towel instead of using heat.