Lighting Help for Newbies (:

[Jess]

Hi Heather!

I've never had a problem with keeping my lights inside of my viv. When Dudley was in his 40B he used to jump at the UVB light, but he hasn't been interested in it since he moved to his 4x2x2. As long as the decorations don't go up to where the heat bulbs are, you should be fine.

I'm glad you're getting another beardie!

 

[slinkystumpy]

Jess,

I just upgraded my tank for my little one. It's 4'x 1' x 2'. Here is what his original set up was last night.

I realized today that it was not getting warm enough in his tank today after I had everything on.

I have a 150 watt CHE that is on all the time, during the day I have it turn off if it gets 110 in his hot side of his tank and I have it go on at night if it gets to 60 in the tank.

He has 100 watt basking bulb on his high spot, and a Reptisun 10.0.

It's best if he is only a foot away from the UVB, right? I'm going to eventually get something in there so he is closer... but I am in Midterm mode right now in college. However, I do want it to be a warm enough environment for him now! What can I do to make it warmer in there? I realize that Under the tank heaters are a no-no, but could it be a possibility to put it on the side of the tank to help keep it warm?

*edit* I moved his CHE closer today so that he can stay warm.. It's still at least 6 inches away from anything he could get to.

 

[Kristen623]

Very helpful! I have a 10 gallon tank for my baby beardie but will be buying a 20 gallon this weekend & was wondering if I needed additional lighting since the tank size will be doubling. The picture set-up answered my questions!!

Thanks,
Kristen

 

[Jess]

@Slinkystumpy: What isn't getting warm enough? 110*F is plenty warm for a basking temperature, I wouldn't let it get below 65*F at night though personally.

The thing with UTHs is that they only raise the floor temperature of the tank, not the ambient temperature. They work well for reptiles that need belly heat, but not so much for basking reptiles.

It sounds like you have plenty of heat in the tank, so I would try insulating it more. You can go to the hardware store and get foam sheets to put around the outside walls of your viv, and see if that helps.

 

[slinkystumpy]

Jess,

I set the CHE to turn off at 110, however, the tank isn't getting that warm. I've ordered a temp gun to maybe see if my thermometer is just off.

Thanks for the tip on insulation.. It might be the top I have on it, which is wood covered with mesh that has holes cut in it.

Does he need to be 12 inches away from the UVB bulb? I'm just wondering if I need to make that an immediate priority.

 

[Kristen623]

Jeez this temperature & lighting concept is like a puzzle! lol... I had a 150 watt basking light for my 10 gallon tank with carpet subtrate & was told (luckily) by people on this site that it was way too strong. I moved him from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon tank last night. I changed the 150 watt to a 75 watt bulb. I also bought a digital thermometer with a probe (awesome thing!) I checked the basking temp & got a fluxuating reading of 110-112 in the basking area. I thought it was a little on the hot side. So then I switched it to a 60 watt and now the temp fluxuates at 91- 92. Probably not quite hot enough for my 4 month old. So........ After more researching on these boards, I think I'm going to buy a dimmer today & use the 75 watt bulb in it & dim it a bit. I'm thinking that should do the trick, hopefully. The cool side reads about 82-83.

 

[SmaugTheBD]

I don't understand how the flourescent fixture hangs by just command hooks..I'm trying.it right now but it just falls forward..

 

[Kristen623]

I had the same problem with the command hooks. I actually just got some industrial strength velcro, put a strip on the light fixture and put another strip on the back inside wall of the tank and stuck them together. It works perfectly!

 

[Jess]

Kristen, that set-up sounds perfect! The dimmers have worked excellent for me.

Hmm, I never had that issue when I used the hooks? :?: Maybe they have changed the design or something since I used them. Did you put the little metal hooks into the holes on the back of the fixture?

 

[Kristen623]

I probably got the wrong size hooks or something. There were a ton of sizes & shapes at the hardware store. I went back to buy another size but then I saw the velcro & thought I'd give it a try. I have an 18 " fixture so it wasn't too heavy for the velcro. Although the industrial strength is pretty strong so it would probably work for larger fixtures too with no problem. I also bought the dimmer & noticed a huge difference already tonight! Rango was on his basking rock a lot more this evening after adding the dimmer. The temp was just right for him.

 

[slinkystumpy]

Jess,

I finally got a new thermometer, and my basking is only reading at 95.

 

[Strawburriez]

Thanks so much for mentioned that you can get a fixture at Walmart. I was about to start saving for a hood from Zoo Med that is made to go with the ReptiSun 10.0 (which I AM saving for) which is actually more expensive than the light itself- and the screen would block some of the light, like you said. You have just saved me a good bit o' cash. (I'm 16, so any cash is a good bit o' cash, haha.) Thanks very much!

 

[Jess]

Yay, I'm glad the lighting worked out for you guys!

@Slinky: what thermometer did you get?

 

[HLSLeO]

what do you guys think about my lighting?...

-100W ZooMed Basking Spot Lamp in the Big Dome aimed straight down for a nice 100-105 degree basking spot.

-Coiled Energy Saving Bulb in the Small Dome aimed at the cool side for extra light.

-ZooMed Lamp Stand to hold both of those up.

-ReptiSun 18" UVB Bulb Mounted inside the tank for better UVB Exposure.

-i also use three different temperature monitors, 2 digital temp gauges: 1 for the basking spot, and 1 for the cool side. and then i use a Fluker's Precision Calibrated Thermometer to get a nice reading of the overall temp of the tank...

here is a new pic.

here are some pics about a week old, same setup minus the lamp stand and the coiled light for lighting, you can really see the differences in brightness here.

 

[Jess]

That looks great! Good job, there isn't anything I can criticize LOL.

Although I would love to know where you got your tiles... :wink: