Really confussed about lighting!!!

[lnicholson]

We have had Samson since December 26th. I estimate he is about 5-6 months old (11 inches head to tail). I currently have the Zilla Bearded Dragon Starter Kit which is a 20 gallon tank with the following lighting:
Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamp 75 watt (the one that came with the tank kept exploding!!)
Zilla 50 watt Night Black Heat Bulb
Zilla Desert 50 20 watt UVB Flourescent Coil Bulb
All these lights are reflector dome fixtures.

I was told that the Desert 50 coil bulb was horrible to have and that I should change it ASAP. I was thinking of going for the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.0 (I am planning to build Samson a new and bigger viv really soon). If I go with the Reptisun where can I get the fixture for it (I was told I could get it at any hardware store in the lighting department). Also, how can I combine the UVB with the basking light. I don't really think I can overlap them because the domes are kinda big. Can I get a light fixure with 2 bulb holders? Which bulb can I use with the Reptisun for basking? I was planning on getting the 24" Reptisun so that I can put it in the new viv as well. My baby has not shown any signs of harm from the Desert Series coil bulb but I really want to get rid of the light before anything bad happens. Also, everytime we have a cold front here in Miami (which is not that often but still ) the temps in the viv are not warm enough. What can I do to make it warmer? This is a picture of my current viv so you guys can see what I have! Please help!!!

Lisa

 

[Buggsy]

right so you have three bulb in there atm, you only need two really,

From the hardware shop you want a flourecent strip holder, like this one
(http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/0e/0eb7f9f0-bd5c-4a5f-ba60-f9560e80b200_400.jpg&imgrefurl=http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/1813579/fluorescent-lighting-reviews/category.htm&usg=__6KYMXz0tu6B10hrX_g6MYL-BY60=&h=400&w=400&sz=6&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=VKrSXc989ni-8M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfluorescent%2Bstrip%2Bbulb%2Bfixture%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)

But just for one bulb. You can use the smaller dome, and put either a 40, 60 or 100w normal household bulb for a basking spot, they should lie next to each other. its important that while basking they have access to UVB. Your current set up means he can either bask, or get UVB, not both.

The black bulb at night will be emitting some light, which disturbs their sleeping patterns, so you will want to swap that for a ceramic heat emitter, which require a special fixture, capable of a, going up to the wattage, and b, not plastic as this will melt.

Aside from that you will want to get rid of the sand. It harbours lots of bacteria and can pose as an impaction risk. Slate tiles or shelf liners are much safer, and cleaner options. (i would also remove the water bowl, many beardies dont drink from them and they pose a risk of respiratory tract infections from raising the humidity)

Hope that helps!

 

[lnicholson]

Thank you for youe help! As for the water bowl I was considering taking it out anyway. I have seen him drink from it once but I usually mist the tank because he likes that better. As for the sand....it's actually not sand! I have the brown repti liner from zilla. I was terrified to use the sand so I used the liner instead. My daughter wanted sand but I talked her out of it. We are going to build him a new cage and I want to use tile because it would be easier to clean. I was also thinking that my current set up will be my cricket keeper and I will be putting Samson in there to eat so that I don't have to worry about the crickets hiding in his cage.

Lisa

 

[Buggsy]

lol convincing colour then! hahah

just a note, misting can also raise the humidity, baths every day is a great way to keep them hydrated, even if they dont 'drink' they absorb water through their vent, in the wild this is done by burrowing in moist soil/sand and absorbing the water that way.

 

[lnicholson]

For some reason I have never had a problem with the humidity! Considering I live in Miami, Florida our viv always has low humidity...which I have never understood. I have been trying to mist Samson when he comes out to play so I don't raise the humidity level. Today we took him out and gave him a bath. He seemed to tolerate it this time around...at least for a little bit. I'll take what I can get because last time he went nuts and hissed at me but then again he was cranky because he was shedding

 

[Buggsy]

they never immediatly like baths, some will love them and swim around. My female is very pampered and just sits there swishing her tail around, but her colours tell me she like it (very pale and ginger lol!) Keep on, he will get used to it!

 

[lnicholson]

When we got Samson he loved taking a bath but then one day all of a sudden he just hated it! Now he tolerates it for a little but then he starts going nuts and tries to get out. I hope he starts to like it again. I really don't know what happend to make him hate it so much. I use a thermometer in the water so I don't use really hot water. Seriously, the kids laugh because they say I bathe Samson like I used to bathe them when they were babies.