Light Questions in tall tank

[NekahRae]

So I was checking over my beardie's lights and am wondering if they need adjusted. He's about three years old and in a 75 gallon tank. His lights sit about 14 inches from his rocks.

I'm currently using an Exo terra UVB 150 13watt desert terrarium bulb, but I realized that the exo terra website recommends five stars on UVB for beardies and, with the height of the tank, I'm only at 2. I tried looking over their webpage for products with higher ratings and found some (like the Sunray bulb), but then couldn't find it for sale anywhere. What is everyone else using?

...and I'm also now wondering about his heat too, but am waiting for the thermometer I stuck near his basking spot to register. (I had had one in the center of the tank that read fine, but it died.) The heat probably isn't high enough for the distance either (currently an exo terra 100w daylight basking bulb) but I'm not sure what would be enough with the tall tank. Do I add a second heat lamp or find some way to let my beardie get closer to the lights?

 

[HylianHealeys]

Generally speaking, Exo Terra's UVB lights aren't the best. The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube is better, especially if it's a T5 high-output bulb. What I'm using right now is the Arcadia 14% T5, and I LOVE it. I've noticed that my beardie's appetite and color has been better since installing it too. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/bulbs/arcadia/

Stick-on thermometers aren't very accurate. What you want is something that can give you an exact temp reading for anywhere in your terrarium. What most people use is a temperature gun. It's like a probe thermometer, but easier to use. I recommend this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081CSFUQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

[NekahRae]

Generally speaking, Exo Terra's UVB lights aren't the best. The Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube is better, especially if it's a T5 high-output bulb. What I'm using right now is the Arcadia 14% T5, and I LOVE it. I've noticed that my beardie's appetite and color has been better since installing it too. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/bulbs/arcadia/

Stick-on thermometers aren't very accurate. What you want is something that can give you an exact temp reading for anywhere in your terrarium. What most people use is a temperature gun. It's like a probe thermometer, but easier to use. I recommend this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081CSFUQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Thank you for the suggestions! I only started using exo terra because it seemed to be the best option at the time...plus, my first few heat bulbs from other brands burned out way more quickly than they should have. I will definitely look into those!

...and I actually used to have a temperature gun, but my ex took it when he moved out. (Technically it was his...but use for beardie well-being and happiness is obviously more important than whatever he was going to use it for!)

 

[HylianHealeys]

By the way, I just reread the title...is the tank a 20 tall or 20 long?

 

[AHBD]

The O.P. said it's a 75. Nekah, can you post pics of it ? You're going to better off with 2 heat bulbs.

 

[HylianHealeys]

That's embarrassing...I mixed this post with another one I saw! :lol: Never mind.

 

[NekahRae]

The O.P. said it's a 75. Nekah, can you post pics of it ? You're going to better off with 2 heat bulbs.

Not the best picture:

...and you can just barely see Norbert sleeping under his driftwood. He loves it over there.

The thermometer is a temporary thing to check the heat on that side, since the better one I had died and I haven't been able to replace it and/or get a heat gun yet. It's an extra one I was given for my fish >.>
Norbert is going to be surprised when he wakes up from brumation and finds all his lights replaced and upgraded! I really appreciate all the help. I'm a first time beardie owner and have been doing the best I can from assorted internet articles, since I don't know anyone else who has reptiles!

 

[AHBD]

Don't feel bad Hyliean, this morning I replied to a post in the E.R where they were concerned about their dragon described as 4, very small and had ingested + passed a rubber band. I responded that a 4" dragon is the size they hatch out and wouldn't normally be able to pass something like a rubber band. LOL [ The dragon was 4 year old, not 4" long....]

O.K, time to get back on track, sorry Nekah, I'll have a look at the pic.

 

[AHBD]

That's a pretty nice set up for Norbert. A big driftwood log is always one of the best pieces of decor you can get. The bulb upgrades will be a big boost to his long term health. I'm sure he needs at least 125 watts of heat , possibly a 75 + a 50 watt heat bulb along with the new uvb bulb to provide the best uvb exposure.

 

[NekahRae]

That's a pretty nice set up for Norbert. A big driftwood log is always one of the best pieces of decor you can get. The bulb upgrades will be a big boost to his long term health. I'm sure he needs at least 125 watts of heat , possibly a 75 + a 50 watt heat bulb along with the new uvb bulb to provide the best uvb exposure.

It's actually three pieces of driftwood to make a cave for him! I had bought the rocks when he was little and had them arranged so he could hide under them, but he outgrew any cave I was able to make. Luckily I knew how to get a bunch of large driftwood pieces fairly cheaply!

Thank you again for the light help! I will definitely get him some upgraded bulbs! Have to do what's best for him!