Lighting Help for Newbies (:

[rafa2k]

Would a full spectrum/total spectrum light be good to use for Beardies? I'm thinking of switching over to LED and wonder if these would cut it or not:

http://www.rapidled.com/total-spectrum-violet-uv-led/

 

[flawless]

Hello I am setting up my first bearded dragon 40g breeder tank and I have found alot of helpful info on here..trying to get things ready for my baby beardie I will be getting in a few week and I have a question..I see alot of people using the 24 inch under the counter fixture from walmart with a repti 10.0 bulb .. the only ones I have found are the under the counter 17 watt ones and the repti 10.0 is a 20 watt bulb. is the the fixture they are using from walmart or is therea different one..thanks

 

[dpejunk]

Hi all.
Have a question re: using clear UV window film on the outside of the glass enclosure.

Everything I have read states that UVA is 100% blocked by glass, however some UVB passes through glass enclosures.
My 40 gallon breeder is right next to my desk and at its present height/angle I can easily see the actual Reptisun 10.0 flourescent bulb. Raising or lowering the tank is not an option.

Anyone know of any downside to placing some clear window film on the sides of the tank to block any UV passing through? I was looking at something like Gila's Heat control film which blocks 99% of UV.

http://www.amazon.com/Gila-LES361-Control-Residential-Platinum/dp/B000KKM8EG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390503601&sr=8-1&keywords=gila+heat+film

I would only be placing it on two sides(one 36" and the 18" side)

I would imagine that would help with maintaining a 105 degree basking temp on one side as a bonus.

Thoughts? Anything I'm missing?

 

[dpejunk]

@Flawless

The lamp wattage can not exceed the wattage of the fixture. If you do, it can pose a hazard which would probably not end well. The risk is not worth it.

I understand cost can be an issue. Found out the hard way. Did not realize it could be as expensive as it is.

I'm using a 24" Sun Blaster fixture. It is more expensive than the $15-$20 fixtures that you can find at Walmart, but I don't believe those units would come with any reflector. Could be wrong. I haven't actually looked at Walmart for fixtures, but if it's anything like Lowes or Home Depot...

The Sun Blaster fixture is actually used in horticulture, but I just popped in a T5 Reptisun 10.0 instead of using the grow light that came with it. The reflector that comes with the kit is outstanding. I have mine mounted just inside at the top edge of the tank. The fixture comes with two mounting brackets which make it so simple to hang from the top edge and still allows the screen lid to slide shut. Here's the link if interested.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B7OLD9A/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In the picture it looks sort of big, but it actually has a very streamlined profile. I wrote a review on Amazon for this. Check it out if you like the look.

If you want a picture of mine and how I mounted it, let me know and I'll post.

Good luck.

 

[john6six]

I have been reading the forum for a couple of weeks and can't really find an answer to my question. I see recommendations of placing your UVB bulb 6-8" above your dragon's basking spot. I look on Zoomed's site and it shows the Repti Sun 10.0 T5 HO bulb recommended distance as 18-36". I have built an enclosure, which has 24" high glass in front. I would like to keep the UVB light above the glass line if possible, but would put it about 11 or 12" above the basking area. Should the t5 HO bulb be OK a little higher than the 6-8 inches I see recommended?

Thanks

 

[diamc]

Yes, the T5 bulbs need to be a further distance away because the HO stands for High Output so definitely a stronger bulb.

 

[FloraBelle]

Hello, all
I did enjoy reading both Jess and BadCon's posts... I was wondering if either of you have any suggestions for determining the wattage needed for the basking light.

I am considering the ZooMed Repti Basking Spot Lamp... but not sure what wattage. We are building a 5'x2'x2' wooden cage with glass doors.

We are thinking of the 48" Reptisun 10.0 for UVB. As to the UVB: Do I need to run the tube along the entire 60" of the enclosure, or will 48" be sufficient? Will I need another light of some kind for additional visual light? If so, where should I place it? In the 12 inch area not covered by the UVB tube? Somewhere else?

Considering also a CHE "just in case" it gets too chilly at night.

The ReptiBasking Spots come in 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 watt strengths. I was thinking either 75 or 100? What do you think? Will I need more than one?

Lastly - venting the enclosure. Should I have vents along the back and sides of the enclosure? Also... both sides, or just the "cool" side (to help with temperature regulation?)

Thank you for any advice or suggestions...

Future Beardie Mom

 

[FloraBelle]

Hi! I am building a 5'x2'x2' enclosure for a bearded dragon. I have ordered the ReptiSun 10.0 36 inches and a Zilla Strip Light to put it in. I have also ordered a Zoo Med Repti Basking Light.. but I am concerned about the wattage! I am wondering if there is a way to calculate how much wattage I will need for the basking area and for the enclosure, generally... I was going to get an extra light for the "cool" side because I think I will need a bit more light on that side since the UVB is only 36: long. I don't know what kind to get... incandescent? I am just now starting to worry that the cage won't be warm enough... it is made of wood and will have glass doors.
Thank you for any help!

 

[FloraBelle]

Hello! I am back again... still looking for answers to my questions. Much further along now on building the viv, ordering equipment, etc. I am concerned about my UVB light. We ended up with a 36" fixture (the Zilla Desert fixture - but we won't be using the light that came with it.. we ordered the Reptisun). What is the issue with the Zilla UVB light that comes with the fixture, anyway? Just wondering.... My question is whether or not the 36" light will be sufficient for a 60" enclosure. I will have the basking and UVB together over the basking area... it's the cool side I am concerned about.... does it have to have UVB directly overhead? Can I get a regular light bulb for extra light and heat, or what do I need on the cool side? Also, if I need more UVB coverage on the cool side since the fixture is only 36"... do I have any alternatives to add more... such as a bulb-type UVB light??? They don't seem very popular.. wondering why.
Overall our enclosure is 5'x2'x2'.... Thanks!

 

[Beerdo]

Hey guys, what size ceramic dome light fixtures are you using on top of your vivs with screens? Any reason why you chose that size and are there any in specific brands or models that you like a lot?

 

[jarich]

Hello! I am back again... still looking for answers to my questions. Much further along now on building the viv, ordering equipment, etc. I am concerned about my UVB light. We ended up with a 36" fixture (the Zilla Desert fixture - but we won't be using the light that came with it.. we ordered the Reptisun). What is the issue with the Zilla UVB light that comes with the fixture, anyway? Just wondering.... My question is whether or not the 36" light will be sufficient for a 60" enclosure. I will have the basking and UVB together over the basking area... it's the cool side I am concerned about.... does it have to have UVB directly overhead? Can I get a regular light bulb for extra light and heat, or what do I need on the cool side? Also, if I need more UVB coverage on the cool side since the fixture is only 36"... do I have any alternatives to add more... such as a bulb-type UVB light??? They don't seem very popular.. wondering why.
Overall our enclosure is 5'x2'x2'.... Thanks!

Hi flora belle,

Did you get an answer to your question? The thread is a little old so not sure if offering advice is helpful at this point.

 

[SteveShields]

I just switched my dragon to a 40 breeder, and I am tryign to figure out if I need to up the lighting or if my thermometer is on the fritz. I'm waiting on the next paycheck to get a better one but right now its just the guage one that came with his starter kit. It is saying the basking spot is only 80 degrees but there are two zilla 50W bulbs right above it. They are sitting on the screen of the cage could that be absorbing that much heat or is it more likley that the guage is bad? He doesnt look cold so I don't know

 

[jarich]

I just switched my dragon to a 40 breeder, and I am tryign to figure out if I need to up the lighting or if my thermometer is on the fritz. I'm waiting on the next paycheck to get a better one but right now its just the guage one that came with his starter kit. It is saying the basking spot is only 80 degrees but there are two zilla 50W bulbs right above it. They are sitting on the screen of the cage could that be absorbing that much heat or is it more likley that the guage is bad? He doesnt look cold so I don't know

Pretty hard to tell Steve. There are a lot of variables that will play a part there, so without a picture its just a guessing game. Youre right that you need a better thermometer, but it could be the screen or the distance from the bulb or even the type of bulb. By the way, just for your own pocket, there is no need to buy the expensive reptile basking bulbs. If all you are using it for is the basking area heat/light and not for UV, then just buy a normal halogen flood light from the hardware store. They are the same thing, only about a third the price. Get a PAR 38 flood light and it will screw in to the same socket. It will probably last longer than the reptile ones too.

 

[SteveShields]

Here is the new tank. My only concern is that maybe the lights are now too far from his log? it is about 8 inches to his uvb light and about a foot to his heat lamps. How much does a flood lamp with bulb run? Likely I'll still have to wait until payday as his new tank was rather expensive.

 

[jarich]

Here is the new tank. My only concern is that maybe the lights are now too far from his log? it is about 8 inches to his uvb light and about a foot to his heat lamps. How much does a flood lamp with bulb run? Likely I'll still have to wait until payday as his new tank was rather expensive.

First, youll need to adjust that UV lamp. It looks kind of precariously mounted, and its not mounted in a good spot. You want it directly overhead, shining downwards onto the dragon, and you want it all the way over to the right, next to the basking lamp. As for the halogen flood light, it can go right in one of those basking lamp fixtures you already have. The halogen light costs about $4-$7 or so. Then youll want to build up the basking area until you get the temperature you are wanting, which is around 110 F or so. You can use bricks or other easily stackable rocks, just make sure they are stable and wont topple over. Raising the platform will get the temp you need.