New owner - Lighting Help with Exo-Terra!

[keli]

It seems I completely trusted the "pet shop expert" as to the lighting... but when I got home, I was worried about the lighting he gave me in regards to what I have read. Can you tell me if this lighting is sufficient for my Beardie? What wattage should I be using? This is my beardie's first night at home and I dont want to use the lights if they are wrong.

I was told:
Exo-Terra Heat Glo 75 watts for the nighttime and Exo-Terra Sun Glo Tight Beam 50 watts for the basking light. Apparently that is the only light I need during the day...

Let me know! Thanks!

 

[keli]

Oh yeah... the link!

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/sun_glo_tight_beam.php

 

[radaresurfac]

I use 75w tight beam Sun glo for basking(exo-terra), Exo-terra 26w compact ReptiGlo, 10.0 UVB, AND 50W infrared, HeatGlo for night time, if to cold! they NEED! uvb!

 

[keli]

That makes sense... so you are suggesting I get an extra UVB bulb to use during the day?

 

[RioReptiles]

That lighting isn't sufficient for very long. Your beardie needs a good quality UV bulb and there aren't too many on the market worth a darn. I bet over half of us on this forum came home with the wrong bulbs before we came here. If you're going with a flourescent TUBE, get the Repti-SUN 10 NOT Repti-GLO. The best deal on them is at http://www.petmountain.com and they are the most widely used bulb for beardies. There are no good coil bulbs, the phosphors cause too intense of UV and it harms the beardies eyes. The best bulb is the Mercury Vapors, Power Sun 100w is okay but the Mega Ray from http://www.reptileuv.com is the best and the T Rex active UV is a close second. If you use the mercur vapor, you don't need a basking bulb or D3 in the calcium and they last much longer, they just create a lot of heat so you have to be setup right for them. That's all I know thanks to everyone here. Cheryl

 

[keli]

Thanks Cheryl! That is very helpful. Do you think this lighting is going to be a big problem? Will it harm him? Or can I wait a month or two to get a new light bulb?
Are there any great light bulb that fit with this or a similar screw based light fixture? http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/glow_light.php

 

[RioReptiles]

The Mercury Vapor bulbs will fit in that fixture no problem. The least expensive MVB is the PowerSun from http://www.reptilesupply.com at $36 plus shipping of about $6 US Mail. You could go a week or two, maybe a month, if you get him out in the direct sun for at least an hour or so a day or every other day, but try not go two months. You will be able to tell if it is affecting him because he will seem less lively and depressed. Just keep a close eye on him, you will know if his personality changes. I have known of beardies who never had the proper lighting that lived a few years but the main worry is MBD, but I think you will be fine since you are aware. The best thing about the mercury vapors is that you only have to replace them once a year instead of every 6 months and they are way better for them. Cheryl

 

[keli]

Great! I was really worried... I will get one ASAP. I am getting a bigger cage in two weeks and that might be a good time to make the transfer...
Would it help if I dusted his crickets with Calcium and D3 powder?

 

[RioReptiles]

That's probably the best thing, just do it as you would normally, extra could be bad as well. The UV is what helps them absorb the calcium so the D3 will help with that. If it were me, I would take them in the sun after feeding the calcium so they get the maximum out of it. If you go with the mercury vapor bulb, stop using the D3, they are almost as strong as the sun.

I'm wondering if it will help to get another MVB and put it above the couch to help get my husband motivated more?

 

[RioReptiles]

Hey, I just learned something new from the post next to this one..... Exo Terra has a MVB called a Solar Glo that is only $25.99 at http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=2183 . I gotta try one, that's a great price. I'm gonna see what others say too.

 

[keli]

Does anyone know about the sun glow neodymium? Is it better or worse than the regular tight spot sun glo???