I got a beardie on Dec 10. He was maybe 2 months old (don't know exact hatch date but from measurements, I would guess 1.5-2.5 months old. Well, tonight my blacklight burnt out and I have a 5 year old in bed. I have a classic heating pad that I was thinking about cuddling him until I can get the appropriate temp on the bottom of the tank by buffering with towels.
Any thoughts? his tank is about 70 degrees right now..
Hi there....you really don't need any heat at night unless it goes below 65 F. If you do need heat a ceramic heat emitter [ CHE ] is best, it produces heat but no light. A heat pad CAN be put under the tank as long as it doesn't get too hot.
Thanks so much! He has been growing like crazy but I try to do best for him.. I plan to order 1 more bulb for night and an extra for day. You say ceramic, the 100w blacklight has been doing good so is a 100w ceramic going to do the same? Also, I use a powersun uvb 100w - is that good or should I switch (since I'm doing it now I'm asking now.. don't want basking light to go out!!
A ceramic heat emitter puts out heat but no light. They prefer it to be cool and dark at night so their metabolism can slow down to aquire the rest they need. ANY type of light....be it a blacklight, red light, yellow light or, white light (light is light) will disturb this process causing many side effects like lethargy and, loss of appetite. If they can't rest they get sleepy, cranky and, lazy...sleep deprivation is a bad thing.
A ceramic heater is best for night, and the Powersun 100 is a good MVB . I use them myself. It comes with a warranty in the box, so you have 30 days from time of purchse to fill it + send it in. Then if for some reason it dies you send the info + they replace it . That is the Zoo med lab., not the store you got it from.