UVB lighting help

[YuiShishido]

Hey! New beardie owner here. I've had my Sucy for about three days now--she's (?? he, they) around two months old and a funny, active little thing and I'd like to make sure it stays that way. I've done a crapton of researching for this but the one thing I'm still a bit unsure about though is UVB lighting. Using a compacted bulb for it at the moment which I know isn't good, so I'd really like to know exactly what I need and how to set it up. She's in a 40 gallon large low tank from Exo Terra (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php). I've been searching these forums for answers, but would really just like some specific advice--like should it be installed inside the tank??--and possibly some store links for a proper bulb, fixture, and hooks if it needs to be installed inside (or whatever would need to be installed if inside)? Actually, I'd really like that because I'm still just not very sure.

Thank you in advance for any help aaa

 

[kyleena29]

Hi there congratz on your new baby! You have a couple of options. If you want to set the light on top of the screen I would go with this bulb
http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t5-bulb-22/
It is out of stock atm but I'm sure they will get some soon.
Or you can do this one.
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-d3-t-5-22-inch-24-watt-12-desert-uvb-the-original-reptile-ho-t5-in-north-america/
It costs more though.

Fixture: http://www.reptilebasics.com/t5-light-fixtures/t5-single-bulb-light-strip-24/

If you want to mount it inside
http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/arcadia-d3-12-uvb-t8-bulb-24/

You can also go with the 18"
http://www.reptilebasics.com/arcadia-desert-12-uvb/ It's odd but I don't see any T8 light fixtures on their site. But these are easier to find in stores like Walmart or home depot.

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/18-inch-plug-in-under-cabinet-light-takes-any-arcadia-15w-t8-bulb/

If you go with the T8 make sure your beardie can get within 6" of the bulb. They also have to be changed every 6 months vs 12 months for the T5

You also want to have the bulb set as close to the basking spot as possible and all the way to one side of the enclosure so that you have no uvb at the other end. Always provide a hiding space on both warm and cool ends so they can stay warm if they don't want any uvb as well.

 

[YuiShishido]

Ahh thank you so much for the advice and links!!