RED BULBS ARE BAD FOR MY BABY BEARDIE?

[mltchell]

Hello, i just got a beardie yesterday, 1 month old, and ive been using the red exo terra heat lamp 75w, to me it seems fine. I also have a 50w white lamp, is that better? can you explain why its better so i dont forget.. THANKS! :|

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Red bulbs interfere with sleep. What is your UVB source? Red bulb does not provide UVB neither does a regular "white" bulb.

 

[mltchell]

Red bulbs interfere with sleep. What is your UVB source? Red bulb does not provide UVB neither does a regular "white" bulb.

i do have a uvb light, it goes across the cage, i DO NOT use the lights at night, will the red light mess with them during the day as a heat source?

 

[DaisyDragon123]

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/

Can you upload some pictures. I don't think the red light would hurt the dragon if on during the day, but I think your dragon would be happier with a regular basking bulb so his enclosure will be better lit.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/

Can you upload some pictures. I don't think the red light would hurt the dragon if on during the day, but I think your dragon would be happier with a regular basking bulb so his enclosure will be better lit.

 

[mltchell]

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/

Can you upload some pictures. I don't think the red light would hurt the dragon if on during the day, but I think your dragon would be happier with a regular basking bulb so his enclosure will be better lit.

White bulb
https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/43181/full
red bulb
https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/43182/full

 

[kingofnobbys]

Red bulbs are useless for bearded dragons - best place for your red bulb is in the rubbish bin.

What your bearded dragon needs is :
a good quality UV source (either a UVB200 , or a 10% UVB T5 , or a 10% UVB T8 , or a good quality MVB) , it must produce very high UVA (at least 30%) and UVB (at least 10%).
+
a bright COLOURLESS clear spotty (for radiant heat + bright white light) ie a Philips par38 say.

Note a MVB will also provide these as well as UVA and UVB.

Coloured globes are useless for beardies. Bearded dragons have excellent colour vision and any lighting that changes the colours they perceive will likely impact on their ability to see food items as food items because they wont look the right colours.

let me guess, the pet shop sales assistant told you that you need a red globe - right ?

 

[mltchell]

Red bulbs are useless for bearded dragons - best place for your red bulb is in the rubbish bin.

What your bearded dragon needs is :
a good quality UV source (either a UVB200 , or a 10% UVB T5 , or a 10% UVB T8 , or a good quality MVB) , it must produce very high UVA (at least 30%) and UVB (at least 10%).
+
a bright COLOURLESS clear spotty (for radiant heat + bright white light), note a MVB will also provide these as well as UVA and UVB.

Coloured globes are useless for beardies. Bearded dragons have excellent colour vision and any lighting that changes the colours they perceive will likely impact on their ability to see food items as food items because they wont look the right colours.

let me guess, the pet shop sales assistant told you that you need a red globe - right ?

correct my man. We bought the red bulb, went home, went back to the pet store and bought a white light.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

It may be the angle of the picture but your UVB tube looks like it should be closer to the basking spot. What size is your cage and what is the length of the tube? If you can't get the two closer you may want to mount the UVB on the inside.

I still would change out the red bulb.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Do I see a plastic screen over the UVB tube ?

If so , remove it , as the plastic screen cover will absorb most the UVA and UVB.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Here's a link showing a correct lighting set up. Notice how bright and sunny looking it is. Can't get that from a red bulb.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/newbies-guide-lighting-help/

 

[mltchell]

Do I see a plastic screen over the UVB tube ?

If so , remove it , it needs to be removed , as the plastic screen cover will absorb most the UVA and UVB.

it came pre built so i will find a way to take it off today, its a Zilla Slimline, 18" 15 watt 50 UVB T8

 

[mltchell]

Do I see a plastic screen over the UVB tube ?

If so , remove it , as the plastic screen cover will absorb most the UVA and UVB.

i got the plastic off and we are going back to the pet store today to get a 75w WHITE light, because i dont think this 50w will do the job of heating my little guy. I would say the 50w i have in right now is around 10 inch away from his head, and its staying around 85F, will a 75w be better

 

[kingofnobbys]

Do I see a plastic screen over the UVB tube ?

If so , remove it , as the plastic screen cover will absorb most the UVA and UVB.

i got the plastic off and we are going back to the pet store today to get a 75w WHITE light, because i dont think this 50w will do the job of heating my little guy. I would say the 50w i have in right now is around 10 inch away from his head, and its staying around 85F, will a 75w be better

85oF is too cool for a basking spot. You need about 100oF at the basking spot.

I'd recommend you swap for a mercury vapour globe ( I think Arcadia have an 80W in their line up and they are an excellent MVB ). Best to get an 80W and a 100W , so you can get the temperature right , you may need to either move the spotty or MVB closer to his basking spot or provide a basking branch that you adjust so he gets closer to it.

 

[mltchell]

Do I see a plastic screen over the UVB tube ?

If so , remove it , as the plastic screen cover will absorb most the UVA and UVB.

i got the plastic off and we are going back to the pet store today to get a 75w WHITE light, because i dont think this 50w will do the job of heating my little guy. I would say the 50w i have in right now is around 10 inch away from his head, and its staying around 85F, will a 75w be better

I'd recommend you swap for a mercury vapour globe ( I think Arcadia have an 80W in their line up and they are an excellent MVB ).

will the 75w be fine for a little while, we just spent a lot of money and id like some time to save up for more stuff?