Light Help Please

[elmore91011]

Any recommendations on lighting for a 6 week old in a 10 gallon tank? Bella's basking area just doesn't seem warm enough. The set up I have is the Zilla starter kit for juveniles... Thanks in advance!

 

[Claudiusx]

A normal household light bulb for the basking light (play around with wattages until you find a wattage that gets you the temperatures you need)
And for uvb a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent bulb. Or the Arcadia 12%

-Brandon

 

[thewayofthecosmos]

Any recommendations on lighting for a 6 week old in a 10 gallon tank? Bella's basking area just doesn't seem warm enough. The set up I have is the Zilla starter kit for juveniles... Thanks in advance!

I currently am using a 75 watt household bulb with a dimmer and it heats my babies basking zone to about 103 degrees and it's pretty steady although cosmos likes to perch on my probe like he is a king and adds a few degrees every now and then.
Good luck!

 

[elmore91011]

Thank you both! I am having my BIL pick me up a couple of lights. I had no idea you could use a reg bulb... thats good to know! Bella was a Valentines present from my hubby so I didnt have time to prepare myself :? She's amazing and I'm worried she's cold =) Thanks again!!

 

[Claudiusx]

Yes, regular house hold bulbs are what many of us use. Cheap as dirt and get the job done.

You will most likely have to buy a few different wattage bulbs at first to find out which wattage works best for your home/tank, but once you do its easy sailing from there

Make sure you are measuring with an accurate thermometer, such as a digital with probe end, or a temp gun. The dial stick on thermometer should not be used, they can be off by as much as 20+ degrees and can only measure the air around the glass you place them on.

-Brandon

 

[elmore91011]

Yes, regular house hold bulbs are what many of us use. Cheap as dirt and get the job done.

You will most likely have to buy a few different wattage bulbs at first to find out which wattage works best for your home/tank, but once you do its easy sailing from there

Make sure you are measuring with an accurate thermometer, such as a digital with probe end, or a temp gun. The dial stick on thermometer should not be used, they can be off by as much as 20+ degrees and can only measure the air around the glass you place them on.

-Brandon

Thank you! I have noticed alot of warnings about the dial type of thermometer, which I have :roll: *sigh* Bella and the whole kit and kaboodle was a gift so I'm still gathering the proper items for her Any suggestions on the brand of thermometer I should get?

 

[diamc]

Hi, congrats on your new baby, what a GREAT Valentine's Day gift.

If you have a Walmart near you, they have the AcuRite brand digital thermometer with probe which will give you both readings at the same time as well as the humidity level. It only costs about $12.00 and works great. This shows what it looks like: http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1329447884&sr=8-6
It should be in the area of the store where the outdoor plastic thermometers are sold although some have found it near the lightbulbs.

 

[elmore91011]

Hi, congrats on your new baby, what a GREAT Valentine's Day gift.

If you have a Walmart near you, they have the AcuRite brand digital thermometer with probe which will give you both readings at the same time as well as the humidity level. It only costs about $12.00 and works great. This shows what it looks like: http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1329447884&sr=8-6
It should be in the area of the store where the outdoor plastic thermometers are sold although some have found it near the lightbulbs.

Thank you! I will get to a walmart, sadly closest is 45 miles away but Bella is more than worth the drive She is the most awesome gift I spend tons of time loving on her, my poor hubby is feeling neglected now tho :lol:
Again thank you I'll get one tomorrow!

 

[diamc]

They sure are easy to love, aren't they? My husband tells me that he wants to have 4 legs, a tail and spikes so he can be noticed. :lol: :lol:

Too bad your Walmart is so far away but like you said, it's worth. When you get it, place the probe end so that it is actually resting on (touching) the basking log or rock and place the thermometer part way over on the bottom of the cool side. Wait at least 45 min for the temps to stop rising, then the "out" reading will be for the basking spot and the "in" reading for the cool side. Please let us know how you make out.

 

[elmore91011]

Thanks a ton! I will let y'all know! She's found a new place she loves to be besides in my shirt lol I put an egg crate in her home and she LOVES it!
Maybe the hubbys need a forum to discuss there hard lives next to the beloved beardies :lol: