Lighting causing stress?

[KayJay93]

Right ok...
I know there's a lot of forums on here about the UVB lighting but i'm still confused. I've had my beardie Alfie for around a month and a half now (he's two and a half months old) and have been using the Repti Glow 10.0 coil bulb. This is what they were using in the pet store and also said was the best thing to use... However after reading a lot of the forums on here i've turned it off because i really don't wanna harm my baby... but now need to order another bulb as soon as possible.
I've heard that repti sun is best... But is this the only alternative?
Also, i have a 36" vivarium, and am wondering if i get a strip light which size do i need? One to go the whole length of the tank or less?
I also heard that flouresant lighting can be bad.. or something... Does it matter if the basking lamp is really bright? And, is a basking spot of around 90 to 100 degrees enough?
Alfie's my first beardie.. I really don't want him to be harmed and want him to be happy. I also only read about the stress lines on their stomach's today... Which with alfie can disappear completely, be subtle or really dark... So i dont know if i'm doing anything else wrong or not.
Any advise?

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello and welcome,

Unfortunately you are correct about the ReptiGlo uvb, it can cause health issues with beardies. The ReptiSUN 10.0 is the best fluorescent tube uvb, but seeing that you are in England you could get the Arcadia 12%, which is made in the UK and is the equivalent of the ReptiSUN 10.0. There is also an MVB(mercury vapor bulb) which is uvb and heat all in one bulb. The Megaray or TRex mvb's are the best.
Basking temps for a baby beardie should be 100-110 degrees. What are you measuring your temps with? Digital thermometers with a wire and probe end will get your most accurate temps for you.
As far as the length of the uvb light...the longer the better. 24"-36" for your enclosure would be good.

Dawn

 

[KayJay93]

Thank you for the help, i think the Arcadia's going to be the best choice for me seeing as its cheaper and i'm on a tight budget
At the moment i've only been using the exo terra thermometers... which desperately need replacing with digital ones, which will be done as soon as possible. I keep thinking that the temperatures should be higher... however Alfie hardly ever sits directly under his basking lamp, so i'm not sure whether he's ever too hot or not. The basking spot lamp i have is 60W and quite close to the bark in which Alfie sits on (not too close that he could touch it or it could burn him), so I'm not sure whether i need to increase the temperatures or not.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

You may want to try a stronger basking bulb. You don't have to neccessarily buy one from a store...you can use a regular household lightbulb, a bright white halogen flood bulb will work...and they are cheaper too! Alfie should be 10-12" from his basking bulb.
I believe Exo Terra makes a decent digital thermometer. Just make sure it has the wire and probe end. Good Luck!
If you have any other questions...this site is full of experienced beardie owners who can help you out.

Dawn