Lighting Help for Newbies (:

[gyrene2083]

Well this is the way my setup is on paper. I should have done this instead of writing it all out.

I just want to rule out that there are too many areas that are in the 80's.

-Semper Fi
gyrene2083

 

[Claudiusx]

It looks fine to me. Maybe if you want, you can move your basking area to the middle but keep it against the far left. Then move your heat bulb right above it, it would make the left back heat up a bit, along with the left front.

If you don't, I still think your temps are fine.

-Brandon

 

[Runsnoopy]

This is very different than how I was told to have it set up. We were told to have the UVB light on the left side, top to bottom and not across and the heat emmiter on the left. Is this ok, or would I re-adjust? Left side is reading about 80 and right side is about 90.

 

[gyrene2083]

Perfect then. I'm sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure "Dante" is ok. It would kill me if something happened to him and then have to face my son.

-Semper Fi
gyrene2083

 

[Jess]

Dante's temps are good!

@Runsnoopy: It's best to have your UVB going across the whole cage and overlapping with the basking spot, because this way your beardie will have the most UVB exposure.

 

[Lauram63110]

So I was making a few small changes after looking at Jess's excellent post at the beginning of this thread, and saw that she recommended 3M Command strips. I was a little hesitant at first because I thought that they were just velcro strips, and I have some sticky back velcro. I was out today and bought the Command strips just to check them out. BOY WAS I WRONG! Those Command strips are heavy duty! I had been afraid that if they were a velcro strip, they would let loose and my fixture (and Reptisun 10.0 ) would fall and break on the tile floor in my viv. I dont think I need to worry. You lock those Command strips together and they stay!
I am impressed! :shock:

Very nice product indeed!

 

[Jess]

They work really well, don't they? I'm glad that you like them! They've always held up really well for me, and they don't like to come off when I try to take them down LOL.

 

[littlesavedgirl]

Funny thing you mentioned those command strips cause I was going to post about them. I recently upgraded my 18 inch fixture to a 24 inch and had to remove the command strips . These things are the "Chuck Norris" of the adhesive world, your lights not going anywhere... In-fact that guy from the crazy glue commercial could have hung from it! Not only did they hold up my other fixture but are holding up my new one, and I've tried to pull it off..It's solid, for sure!

 

[Jess]

LOL, we should just call them Chuck Norris Strips from now on. :lol:

 

[littlesavedgirl]

8) Seriously! They should be, Chuck Norris should endorse them! 8)

 

[AlysaK]

Hello. I was reading the posts on UVB and have a quest I hope someone might be able to answer. I tried doing some research on the UVB and alot of the sites say that a MVB (mercury vapor bulb) is the best kind of bulb to get for the UVB. Yet, on here you're recommending another type of bulb. I'm so confused as I am a new beardie owner and want to make sure I have it all right. I just spnt $$ on a whole light set up for a 36x18x18 Exo Terra Cage. The light/heat set up consits of:
- Zoomed mini double deep dome light fixture. In one socket I have a 100watt powersun and in the other I have a 100 watt Zilla night black heat. I have the zilla bulb on a dimmer switch so I can regulate the emp wen paired with the powersun.
- Exo Terra hood light with a 26watt exo terra repti glo2.0 full sectrum compact coil light. I got this for the high visual light output I read that you're supposed to have (98 CRI & 6700K).

Thanks very much!
Alysa

 

[Jess]

@AlysaK: I mentioned why I recommend the ReptiSuns instead of the MVBs earlier:

... And because, IMO, the MVBs are a little more complicated than the ReptiSuns. For example, MVBs must be used in cages that are at least 40 gallons or larger, the need to be at least 18" away from the beardie, and some of them can't be mounted at an angle.
ReptiSuns can be used in any size cage, and the only stipulation with them is that they should be between 6-10" away from the basking spot, and that you should also have a bright white light to put along side it.
So, many newbies would probably find the ReptiSun a little more simple to set up, and it would apply to more caging situations. :wink:

The Powersuns are fine, but I've never used them so I wouldn't be able to give people advice on them.
I would replace the night light with a CHE if you can, and just with your beardie to make sure he isn't squinting or anything with the ReptiGlo.

@Esther: Thanks, I'm glad it's helpful!

 

[AlysaK]

Thanks Jess

 

[jenn1116]

will you please post some links to decent fixtures, heat guns, etc for somebody on a budget? thanks

 

[Jess]

Sure!

I don't know as much about temp guns, but here is a good digital thermometer:
http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instruments-Acu-Rite-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1312833139&sr=8-5

And the light fixture I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Lights-America-7020-6-Under-Cabinet/dp/B00004WA4D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310689866&sr=8-1

You can get them both at Walmart!