Lighting help for begginer

[Hookster1021]

I'm planning on purchasing a juvenile bearded dragon soon and needed help with lighting. I have purchased a 40 gallon kit http://www.petsmart.com/sale/reptile/national-geographicandtrade-reptile-desert-kit-27781.html?cgid=S500000
36L x 16W x 18H

I would like to purchase a new uvb light and basking light to use because the uvb light doesn't cover much of the tank, and even right under the basking bulb it's only about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I would like to purchase one of the uvb lights and fixtures that go across the top of the tank along with a basking lamp but don't know where to start. I have heard good things about reptisun, but I know different models need to be different lengths away from the dragons and don't know witch one to get, or what wattage, or if I should get the hood cover they sell or mount it underneath the screen. Also not sure about what basking bulb I should get, wattage, and placement of it. I would really like to get everything set up with correctly with the right temps before I get my dragon. Any advice?

 

[sythompson]

I would like the answer to that problem as well. I am still doing research before I get a beardie. I have noticed that the lights in the kits do not cover either area well (hot side, cool side). I would like to get the reptisun 10.0 long light for the tank and a better basking light as well. What do you suggest?

 

[YoursTruly]

Hey guys. Here's my take on everything, as my boyfriend and I are now beardie owners and have learned a LOT from everyone on this site:

DO NOT GET A KIT.

Most of the stuff in those kits is garbage. We threw away the loose substrate it came with because young beardies can eat it and get impacted. We used repit carpet instead and eventually switched to the best option: tile. It is sanitary and easy to clean, holds heat better and longer, even after lights out, and it files their nails naturally.

The kit lighting is junk too.
UVB: You want a Reptisun 10.0 T5 High Output bulb. If you go to petmountain.com you can get the bulb and a fixture for it. The compact UVB bulbs that come with the kits can damage your beardie's eyes. It did for my little girl, and we had to take her to the vet and get prescription eye drops. But as soon as we switched to the Reptisun 10, she improved and has been great since.
Basking: For basking/heat in a 36x16x18 tank, you'll want a 75w or 100w clear white incandescent bulb. You should be able to pick one of those up at any hardware store. I think even WalMart sells them. Don't waste your money on expensive pet store heat bulbs.
Nighttime heat: Don't use a blacklight or red light bulb. This will disrupt your beardie's natural sleep pattern, as they need complete darkness. Your best option is a ceramic heat emiter, which you can screw as a bulb into any ceramic fixture socket. We use a 60w.

You will likely see similar advice from others here as this is where I got all of this great information (which ultimately saved my beardie's life) from!

 

[Hookster1021]

Thanks for the reply. My only questions are if I got the reptisun 10.0 high output bulb and fixture, would I mount it in or outside the screen on top of the enclosure. Should I use a reflective hood? Would the basking dome fixture go on top of the screen as well? What is the ideal distance that a beardie should be from these lights. I'd like to know so I can buy the right sized decorations.

 

[YoursTruly]

That all depends on the height and width of the tank. What is your tank like? Also, does it have a removable mesh lid?

 

[CooperDragon]

The distance depends on which light you're using. A T5 tube will generally have the best output and should be about 12'' above the basking area. A T8 is lower output and will likely need to be mounted inside the tank and sit about 6'' above the basking area. Taterbug created a chart that is helpful for estimating the proper distance for different combinations of bulbs and fixtures https://sites.google.com/site/thelizardmadness/lighting-guides

 

[Hookster1021]

Tank is a 40 gal 36 x 16 x 18 with a removable mesh top
http://www.petsmart.com/sale/reptile/national-geographicandtrade-reptile-desert-kit-27781.html?cgid=S500000
Thats the the exact kit I have.

 

[YoursTruly]

Okay. You can mount it on top, and I think it would be fine with the T5 and no reflector. That's what I'll be doing once I upgrade. If you want a better, more concise answer, though, I would PM someone like Drache613 (mod) or Rankins (breeder).

 

[EMitch]

I am limited on space but I can fit a 24x18x12in in my room, I will be starting with a baby and buy a bigger terrarium when I have more space and when the Dragon is an adult. Is it okay that my UVB light is above the screen, I feel like if it is inside the terrarium it will be too strong? Is there a specific light and light housing specific for this situation? I have not bought anything yet but I've been doing a lot of research and trying to fit what I have to meet the requirements.

 

[CooperDragon]

I am limited on space but I can fit a 24x18x12in in my room, I will be starting with a baby and buy a bigger terrarium when I have more space and when the Dragon is an adult. Is it okay that my UVB light is above the screen, I feel like if it is inside the terrarium it will be too strong? Is there a specific light and light housing specific for this situation? I have not bought anything yet but I've been doing a lot of research and trying to fit what I have to meet the requirements.

If you can get at a 36x18x18'' that would be a better minimum size. Little guys like climbing so the more height you can provide the better. I'd go with a T5 light and fixture like this http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/. You can mount it on top of the tank about 12'' above the basking spot for best results.

 

[Hookster1021]

Thank for the feedback. I'm going to try this bulb and fixture http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/
And switch out my 100 watt with 125 watt basking bulb with another fixture.