Newbie needs help

[Steaile]

Hello! I'm looking into getting a bearded dragon in a few months and want to make sure I have everything to take care of their lighting needs

I found a combo uva/uvb bulb, can I use this instead of a basking light and long tube light? Or is the basking light still needed

 

[Dubah]

Well, UVB comes from almost every single light. UVA is what needs a specific light. However, unless the bulb says it's also a basking bulb, you will need a basking bulb. My current setup has a tube UVA bulb that extends the whole cage, so no matter where she is she is getting UVA, then i have a basking spot with a basking bulb set up on top of a log, so she gets closer to the UVA and has a basking spot at the same time.

Don't forget a couple of branches if you don't already have some, they do like to climb and all that. Then just a food and water dish and a good substrate.

If you'll be getting it as a baby don't forget basking spot needs to be at 105-110 F . Then get the opposite side of the cage around 80F. After that it's just up to the beardie.

 

[Gormagon]

Dubah, it is UVA that comes from most lights this is what allows them to see in full spectrum color and provides heat.
UVB is what they need to metabolize calcium and d3.

 

[Gormagon]

I use a basking light for heat and the tube type UVB 10.0 t5 ho for uvb. This makes it easier to get the temps right in the viv.

 

[JessPets]

For a basking bulb, you can just use a regular halogen bulb with a table dimmer. UVB is more specific. You need a ReptiSun 10.0 t5 or Arcadia branded bulb - those cheap knockoffs are bad and shouldn't be used, same with all coil/compact UVBs