Possible New Dragon Owner. Question....

[Genea]

We may be getting a bearded dragon next week. I've been doing a lot of research and have learned a lot but there is one thing I'm not quite sure of. Do you turn off all the lights in their tanks at night? Heat lamp etc..... ? If so don't they get to cold? I've read the under tank heaters aren't good to use.. I appreciate any help.
Thanks
Genea

 

[TheFray1997]

You're sposed 2 turn off the heat lamp and UVB at night. It should be fine at night, if you're still worried, you can put a heating pad underneath the cage for a warm spot to sleep.

-TheFray1997

 

[Brokenwings]

No heating pads. Bearded dragons are cold blooded. They sleep fine at night. (don't keep your window open if its freezing cold though..)
Its been said heating pads are not recommended because of beardies can cook from the inside out if they stay too long on it directly. (because they won't move)
Don't worry about it

 

[Genea]

Thanks for much for the replies. I appreciate it. This is probably a stupid question but are heat lamps and basking lamps the same thing? The lighting is the only part of my research that confuses me

Genea

 

[Brokenwings]

What i got : Heating lamp aka: basking spot lamp, 100 watts, one like this : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Tight-Beam-Basking-Spot/dp/B0002AR3P8 but mines a 100 watts. As you can see its a TIGHT BEAM. meaning i only want a particular spot heated, and not the whole cage. But that's just me, other might prefer the non-tight beam kind.
i have a double light fluorescent fixture 24".
with one normal fluorescent light and one http://www.everythingforpets.com/zoo_med_reptisun_10_0_uvb_tubes.pet/use.id.5.item_id.7371.dept.1279/

 

[jeschardies]

Be sure to use a digital thermostat in your enclosure. At night, the temps should not drop below 65 deg. F. If your enclosure has the potential to droo beyond this temp, then you can look into a CHE (ceramic heat emitter). Basically screws in like a bulb, but heats without any light.
The digital thermometer is a crucial part of raising a healthy beardie.....

Good luck!

 

[RolandKyramere]

As far as overnight heating, as long as the heating pad is not under the dragon, you can use it (ex. when it is stuck on the side of the cage). Reasoning behind this is that dragons can only really sense temps that are above their head, and if the heating pad makes it too hot for them they can get burnt. Ceramic heat emitters are great, just make sure never to touch them or let your critter touch them while they are plugged in, you get some very horrific burns from them!

 

[Genea]

Thanks so much for all the help. It gets really cold here in the winter and my house can get pretty cold when the temps outside stay in the 20's and below zero at night. The heat pump just can't keep up. IS there any particular Ceramic heater that you recommend or does it matter?
Thanks again
Genea

 

[Brokenwings]

Heat ceramic bulbs...well.."bulbs" are expensive, but the ones your local ptestore sells would be just fine. because it does not produce heat, or uvb or uva, its only heat. calculate the amount of heat needed to add in the cage and buy a ceramic bulb from there on. im explaining myself weirdly...do you get it though? lmao

 

[Genea]

lol no not really. I thought the ceramic heat bulbs did produce heat.. thought that was the point of them. I'm cofused lol
Genea

 

[jeschardies]

They meant it does not produce light. They are your best option for heating at night....

 

[Brokenwings]

That's what i meant
They don't produce light, but only heat. Because they don't produce light, they don't produce UVB or UVA. note that.

 

[Genea]

lol, got it.
Thanks for the help
Genea

 

[Brokenwings]

Np, sorry for the failure confusion. lol

 

[Genea]

lol well not your fault really. I'm easily confused :lol:
Genea