Quick Light Question here!

[NYRkorey]

I don't have a beardie yet but I have PAR38 halogen flood light 70W in a 20 gal for the basking light for when he arrives. can I just use a cheap lamp fixture from Home Depot and hang it off the light stand I have for it or would that fixture become to hot. or should I get a specific fixture? hope that all makes sense.

 

[Claudiusx]

As long as the fixture is rated for the wattage bulb you're using, you should be fine. I'd make sure that the base the bulb screws into though is ceramic as opposed to plastic like some of the cheaper fixtures use. I have a slight feeling you'd be able to use a bulb of less wattage, but if your temperatures are good, that's what counts.
PS. some fixtures reflect heat better than others, so make sure you get your temps set up and perfect before you bring your little guy/gal home.

-Brandon

 

[Taffer]

Congratulations on doing your homework first before bringing your BD home! I wish more people would do that. You already have the respect of many of these forum members for that action alone!

A BD will quickly outgrow a 20 gallon tank...keep an eye out at PetCo or Pet Smart (I get them confused). One of them occasionally have sales for $1 per gallon. You can pick up a 40 gallon breeder tank, which is better for BD than a normal 40 gallon tank. If you have the room you could go bigger. You have a little time to do that research, but you'll blink and realize your BD has grown exponentially! Ours grew from a tiny size at 6 weeks old to over 20 inches in <12 months.

Invest in an infrared thermometer. You can get them from Amazon for $7-$15.

 

[VenusAndSaturn]

Speaking of that 1 dollar per gallon sale, petco has one actually going on now until feb 3rd i believe. Which is amazing because i need to pick up 2 75 gallons and they're usually only 90 bucks each there.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I think it's worth spending a few extra $ now to get a good quality ceramic reflector dome to mount your par38 halogen spot globe in , it will last your for many years and is not going to fail like a bargain fitting will.

Also worth buying a few of these : https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-LCD-Digital-Temperature-Thermometer-Fridge-Freezer-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Reptile/172452294173?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107090050%26meid%3D32e01321c64b4fd5b2dd55c75eb3bf8e%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D391259141696&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
I have 3 per rearing tub and per tank and can see my temperatures at a glance, and these are very durable and accurate.

 

[Taffer]

Also worth buying a few of these : https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-LCD-Digital-Temperature-Thermometer-Fridge-Freezer-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Reptile/172452294173?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107090050%26meid%3D32e01321c64b4fd5b2dd55c75eb3bf8e%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D391259141696&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
I have 3 per rearing tub and per tank and can see my temperatures at a glance, and these are very durable and accurate.

I bought a couple of those from Amazon here in the USA about a year ago for about $1.90 each with free shipping (Amazon Prime), but I cannot find them now. Love them and wish I'd bought 10+! I saw them in Fahrenheit as well, but they are gone too.

Speaking of that 1 dollar per gallon sale, petco has one actually going on now until feb 3rd i believe. Which is amazing because i need to pick up 2 75 gallons and they're usually only 90 bucks each there.

Thanks V&S! I can't even find a used aquarium around here on Craigslist for $1/gallon. I need to upgrade my 40 gallon tank or build one myself.

Here is a size/weight chart for most tanks:
SMALL AQUARIUMS
Tank Size L x W x H Empty Weight Filled Weight
2 1/2 gallon 12" x 6" x 8" 3 lbs 27 lbs
5 gallon 16" x 8" x 10" 7 lbs 62 lbs
10 gallon "Leader" 20" x 10" x 12" 11 lbs 111 lbs
15 gallon 24" x 12" x 12" 21 lbs 170 lbs
15 gallon High 20" x 10" x 18" 22 lbs 170 lbs

MID-SIZED AQUARIUMS
Tank Size L x W x H Empty Weight Filled Weight
20 gallon High 24" x 12" x 16" 25 lbs 225 lbs
20 gallon Long 30" x 12" x 12" 25 lbs 225 lbs
25 gallon 24" x 12" x 20" 32 lbs 282 lbs
29 gallon 30" x 12" x 18" 40 lbs 330 lbs
30 gallon Breeder 36" x 18" x 12" 48 lbs 348 lbs
40 gallon Breeder 36" x 18" x 16" 58 lbs 458 lbs
40 gallon Long 48" x 12" x 16" 55 lbs 455 lbs

LARGE AQUARIUMS
Tank Size L x W x H Empty Weight Filled Weight
50 gallon 36" x 18" x 19" 100 lbs 600 lbs
55 gallon 48" x 13" x 21" 78 lbs 625 lbs
65 gallon 36" x 18" x 24" 126 lbs 772 lbs
75 gallon 48" x 18" x 21" 140 lbs 850 lbs
90 gallon 48" x 18" x 24" 160 lbs 1050 lbs
125 gallon 72" x 18" x 21" 206 lbs 1206 lbs
150 gallon 72" x 18" x 28" 338 lbs 1838 lbs
180 Gallon 72" x 24" x 25" 430 lbs 1870 lbs
225 Gallon 72" x 27.5" x 27.5" 358 lbs 2158 lbs