I'm confussed!

[Daniel40]

hello everyone I need help im so confused wih all the contradicting information on the web, Grill top no grill top dimming thermostat no thermostat. my local pet shop recommends UVB bulb and Ceramic heat bulb only...that doesn't seem right. I have Brain Damage and find it very hard to understand what im supposed to do. I just need someone to say "Right Daniel this is what you need" I currently have a 3" viv but i'm looking to upgrade to a 5" x 2" x 2".

 

[budzoboy]

5"x2"x2"

awefull small!

 

[AHBD]

Hi Daniel, will your 5 X 2 X 2 be a custom made ? Sounds very spacious. You'll need a good long tube uvb like the Reptisun 10.0 t5. It should span about 3/4 of the enclosure.A mercury vapor bulb can be a decent heat + uvb all in one but it will only provide uvb in a much smaller area. Many people go with a halogen bulb for heat, can be bought at Lowe's or Walmart. Experimant with the 75-100 watt bulbs for a large tank, or even 2 of the 50 watt. Do you have pics of your current viv ? Here's how to post them:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to upload them

 

[Daniel40]

Lol opps I ment 5' x 2' x 2'

 

[Daniel40]

 

[Daniel40]

I'm having Bob's (bearded dragons name) built buy a professional carpenter I know. £100

 

[AHBD]

That's a very nice set up and the MVB probably puts out a good amount of uvb. What brand is it ? Once you get your big tank you should get the other long tube bulbs uvb bulbs that I mentioned. I want to mantion though, the substrate can be a real danger, especially if it's crushed walnut [ not digestible and very sharp ] or calcium sand. Both can cause impactions, they get backed up in the gut and turn to a very hard sludgy cement like mixture if swallowed. Best to have a bare floor or a sand/soil mix . [Children's playsand n not construction sand ] A lot of people use cut tile, i don't like it myself. You can also use kitchen liner [ non adhesive shelf liner ]

Bob looks good + healthy.

 

[Daniel40]

I'm pleased you like my current viv the bulb is a Exo Terra uvb150 25w the substrate is sand off the beach which I boiled 3 times until the water ran clear then I baked the sand in the oven at 230c for over an hour, Bob was left by an ex girlfriend so I don't know how old he is, I've had him 3 years now.
I've decided my new viv will have a full metal mesh lid (removable) with a fixed glass windows.
I still don't fully understand how a thermostat works, won't the dimming damage the spotlight. I assume the uvb will be plugged into a separate socket with a day/night timer?

 

[Daniel40]

 

[Daniel40]

I took Bob for a walk around the park : )

 

[dezismom]

Welcome to the forum! Bob looks quite handsome and healthy! Nice set up, too.
You do not need a thermostat to adjust the temp, just experiment with the placement of the lights, etc., do use a good thermometer, however, because even a few degrees makes a big difference.. The type that has a separate probe is much more accurate than those round ones that stick on the tank.

Feel free to ask any questions, there are some very knowlegable beardie owners here, who are happy to help out.

 

[Daniel40]

Thankyou it's really great to know my tank looks good. as I said before the Internet is very confusing. I am looking at getting a infrared thermometer after my nest payday.
However I think the basking temp is around 110 and the cool end around 85 but I will update you when I've property measured it.