Lighting Help for Newbies (:

[Jess]

@Fad3c: Try ordering one off of Amazon!

@Mommisgurl: Powersuns are good UVB lights! You just have to make sure that your beardie is far enough away from them (At least 12 - 18"), so they work well for larger tanks. If you are starting off with a smaller tank (20 gallons or less) get one of the fluorescent tube lights, because those aren't as intense as a MVB and they give off less heat. And remember to use plain calcium w/ Powersuns, and calcium w/ D3 for ReptiSuns.

But yeah, if you go with the ReptiSun you will need the fixture, basking lamp, and basking light as well. You only need a CHE if your temperatures drop below 65*F at night.

Don't worry about it! It is really confusing at first LOL, and there are too many pages in this thread for most people to read. :wink:

 

[mommisgurl]

oooooh okay.! good to know.! ahah
So just the fixture, reptisun,and a basking light.? just like in your picture, except for the cooler side light...is that correct.??

 

[Jdholcomb0221]

Jess,
Wow.. there is a lot of information in these 23 pages just on lighting. However, I'm not going to lie. I couldn't go threw it all looking for answers... lol

I have a few year experience with beardies. However, after being in the military and a greedy "X". My beardies went away. So I'm starting over. I now have a 2 year old son and I'm looking forward to having him enjoy the same experience as I once did when I had mine. I lucked out also. Homie and Tweak where brother and sister and never left eachother's side. So I was sucessful in keeping them together in the same large tank without issues or turning on eachother. However, my new beardies are not going to be siblings so I need to do this right so they are both happy. I will be getting 2 40 gal tanks for my 2 bannd new breader beardies I'm getting in a few weeks.

I have just a few questions.

1) Will the Exo Terra Light Cycle Unit - max. 2 x 40w be to much or not enough? http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=2288 There is a 20w version. There is also a single 40w. I will be using Reptisun 10 UVB tubs. I will be mounting inside the tank like you suggested. Didn't know "Mesh" messed with the rays.

2) I will be getting a dimming Fluker's heat lamp. Is mounting it outside the cage on a stand a bad idea as well? I plan on getting a 100w and dimming to half at first until I reach optimal tempature.

3) Didn't you say that using coiled bulbs is bad? I was curious because I plan on getting a small dome light and put a 50-60w energy saver bulb in there. Do I need a night bulb also if I have a CHE on the dark side. I know that is a lot of lights between everything. But you sad the more the better.

4) Do you know of any problems putting tanks side by side or is it a must to stack them?

I know you must get these questions over and over and I'm sorry. Just want to make sure I do this right because I have been out of the loop for awile. 8)

Thanks for any of your help!

Josh

 

[Harry102]

Hello again Jess,

I have since gotten rid of my Reptiglo's and replaced them with a singular Arcadia 12% D3, however the viv is quite dark (with it being wooden) with only 1 Tube in, would 2 Arcadias be too much for him? Even just a 6%?

Or would there be an alternative I could use? Such as a non UVB Tube that wouldn't be harmful to their eyes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[beardie789]

We have only had our baby Beardie, Sobe, since Thursday. I was thinking of getting the Powersun 160w. If I do that, then I don't need both a basking and a UVB light, is that correct? And also if we get the powersun, it will sit on the top of the screen of the 40g tank we have just like the lamps we currently have, right? And we will need to make the basking spot farther away from this light?

I just want to try to do what's best for Sobe.

Here's Sobe:

 

[Jess]

@mommisgurl: Yes!

@Jdholcomb0221:

1. Yes, that's perfect! You don't need two ReptiSuns in one viv though, so you can either get the single one or put a regular fluorescent light in the extra fixture.
2. Putting it on a stand is fine. It doesn't matter if that light shines through the screen or not.
3. There has been some controversy on the CFL bulbs for visual light... I've never had an issue with them, and Dudley doesn't act any differently with or without them. Other members claim that their beardies were stressed from the light though.
4. As long as your beardies can't see each other, either method will be fine.

@Harry: You don't need two UVB lights. A regular fluorescent tube is fine for visual light!

@beardie: Yup! Powersuns are basking and UVB in one bulb. Make sure that your beardie is 18" away from the light! Sobe is adorable, congrats!

 

[nanyque]

Wow. Talk about :study:.

So, I'm looking into building my own viv to replace the 29g Long that Saffron is in now. I definitely want to make sure i have everything right. (on a side note, Thank what ever god(s) you believe in for this site!!!!). So, my plans are, plywood exterior/plexi-glass or glass front, dimensions of 4'x2'x2'. I want to make the switch to the ReptiSun 10. So I just want to make sure I'm not going to miss anything -

A) I do NOT need a UTH.
B) 24" UVB tube is plenty, just mount it on the side of my basking light
C) The Basking light is my only heat source (unless I need a CHE for night time heat)
D) Lots of lighting. So, if I put say, different platforms that end up creating shadowy areas, should I find a way to light underneath? Would something like this or this have any effect (good or bad) on the dragon? I'm just trying to think of something low power and not an eye sore, and these I could mount under the platform/shelf to light the dark areas.

 

[burdhr]

We got our baby beardie yesterday. I just logged onto this blog and I am so relieved it's here. I did as much research as I could before he came home, but there is so much out there it gets really confusing, really fast. The lighting for newbies blog is great! I have a question about the cool side light, for a regular household bulb what kind should I use? I read that bright white light is best, not coiled bulbs, but honestly I cannot find regular household bulbs that say bright white. Would a clear 40w or 60w suffice? Also, what is your opinion about hideaways? I read that babies should not have a hideaway until they adjust, is this true? Any advice is welcomed. I am using paper towels for the substrate for now and have reptile carpet once he gets a bit bigger. He ate crickets, dusted with calcium+D3, and summer squash a few hours after arrival. He seems alert and healthy. I just want to make sure I get the enclosure right!

 

[Jess]

@nanyque: Yup! The LED lights should be OK to use, but I haven't tried them yet. Maybe put some kind of clear cover over them, so they aren't so freakishly bright to look at?

@burdhur: Those would work, or you can use a fluorescent tube light. As for the hide, it depends on the beardie. Some of them just like to sleep in them at night, some refuse to ever come out, and there are beardies that refuse to use them too. Just see how to reacts too it. If he hides 24/7, just take it out.

 

[burdhr]

@ Jess - Thank you!! The UVB light I have is a Repti Glo 10.0, should I replace it with Repti Sun 10.0? The UVB light is mounted under the screen with a 10" dome for the basking light and a desk lamp for the household bulb (dome on it's way) above the screen. Right now I am using a 35w halogen full spectrum flood light for the basking light. As long as the temp stays between 105 - 110, is that ok? We bought a 50w Zoo Med basking bulb but it was way too hot. It kept shooting the basking area 115+ degrees. I am using paper towels for the substrate but after I dust the crickets it seems like he cannot see them. Will switching to the reptile carpet this soon be bad? He is approx. 4 weeks and I think somewhere around 5.5 inches. He seems curious and anytime we enter the room he runs to the basking rock to check us out. I have held him a few times and he seems to be ok with it, no squirming or any signs of stress. He did something last night I didn't understand, he kept trying to jump up the glass. I didn't have anything slanted to climb on, so I did that at lunch today. Does jumping at the glass indicate stress or unhappiness? Sorry for so many questions. I want to make sure I do this right! I like seeing the pictures of the others. Once he is settled or my nerves are I will post a pic!

 

[dodgersmom]

@burdhr: I would replace it with ReptiSun because from what I have read, the Repti-Glo UVB levels are not safe. Jess will tell ya if I am wrong

 

[burdhr]

Thank you. I went ahead and ordered the Reptisun 10.0 online. I purchased a 15w because he is still in a 20L. I have plans for a 50 gallon, but read that I should wait for him to grow a bit.

I have another question, he started opening his mouth on his basking rock. I read that it can mean they need to let off excess heat. I raised the basking lamp and he stopped. I think the temp on the heat side is around 100-105 and cool side 80. I ordered better thermometers and they should be here tomorrow.

Any idea what it means when he tries to climb/jump up the glass walls? He doesn't seem frantic, just kind of like "hello, can I get out" if that makes sense. Is it ok to hold them several times during the day?

 

[dodgersmom]

Thank you. I went ahead and ordered the Reptisun 10.0 online. I purchased a 15w because he is still in a 20L. I have plans for a 50 gallon, but read that I should wait for him to grow a bit.

I have another question, he started opening his mouth on his basking rock. I read that it can mean they need to let off excess heat. I raised the basking lamp and he stopped. I think the temp on the heat side is around 100-105 and cool side 80. I ordered better thermometers and they should be here tomorrow.

Any idea what it means when he tries to climb/jump up the glass walls? He doesn't seem frantic, just kind of like "hello, can I get out" if that makes sense. Is it ok to hold them several times during the day?

Haha! That's it exactly. My dodger & phoenyx do it too. I come in the room and they do it, soon as I take them out and play with them for awhile...let em ruun around, give them a bath, etc...when I put them back they are done with that for the day. til the next day....LOL :lol:

 

[burdhr]

With the Reptisun 10.0, 18 inch. Should I place the light on top of the screen? His tank is only 20L right now and I read on this website http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/re15wa1810uv.html the light should not be placed in a small area. Help?!

 

[Tasha211]

I need help just got my baby beardie yesterday and hes in a 29gal long tank for now. I have a basking blub and a night blub I run just for extra heat. I do not believe my basking blub is big enough. What size blub should I be using and also what do I need for UVB lighting there is SO MUCH infromation that I get over welhmed and I'm not sure what to use withmy tank. Thanks so much!