UVB proper lighting

[mayvigh]

Hello everyone, first-time posting!

I’ve been browsing through similar questions but couldn’t find anything quite like mine. I have a UVB light similar to this one, but after doing some research, I found out it's not great:
https://a-static.mlcdn.com.br/450x4...9633418/0740befbf8dfd29b2bbdda0e57a8a2a9.jpeg

I need to buy a better one for my beardie, who isn't home yet but should be arriving between tomorrow and the next day. The problem is that I live in Brazil, where keeping reptiles isn’t very common, so it’s tough to find proper UVB lights, good brands, and reliable information. We do have Amazon, but the prices are crazy expensive.

I really want to give him the care he deserves, so I’m looking for advice. The only somewhat affordable option I found (though still expensive, just not as insane as Zoomed or Arcadia) is this one: https://a.co/d/bUwlr2r. Is this okay? Does anyone have ideas on how I can optimize or improve this situation?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[ChileanTaco]

Hello, welcome here
I'm also from a place where keeping reptiles is uncommon (Chile). Things are also hard to get here, and despite we technically have Amazon, it means it's ordered from abroad and is then very expensive (shipping that thing from Europe... and we have steep import taxes on all kinds of electronics), so I usually rely on what is already imported and available then online within the country from small sellers and then "only" costs twice than what would it be in Europe or US.
So I can understand your problem very much

To better help you:

Your second link doesn't open. Can you maybe post a picture or write what is in this link? I could then take a look how good that is.

A linear tube, or a full-spectrum lamp (full spectrum for reptiles, not a lamp imitating the visible solar spectrum for humans) is really necessary. I have the Zoomed here (which I recommended in this thread https://www.beardeddragon.org/threads/beardie-tail-stiff.270123/#post-2053405), still more expensive than it would be in the US or Europe, but at least, the tube lasts for a year and the hood I only have to buy once.

Do you already have a basking lamp, so a bright lamp for heat? For this, a regular household halogen lamp would do, approx. 100 - 150 W. I know they are harder to get in many countries as not energy efficient enough for household use to light up a room, and also not available anymore where I live (plus basking lamps made for reptiles are not longer imported here so are also gone...).
If that's an issue for you, too: You can replace the basking lamp with a bright daylight LED that has the equivalent light output of 100 W (I have a big one that screws into a PAR80), and place a ceramic heat emitter next to it in a separate bulb holder dome. If you don't know what a ceramic heat emitter is, I can write more on this.

For the future also, in case you sometimes travel abroad to countries with the same voltage (important!), you might check out if you can stock up on replacement bulbs there. That's what I'm doing in the future (I didn't travel abroad since I got my dragon) and on my next travel my "souvenirs" will be lamps for my dragon.

 

[xp29]

Hello everyone, first-time posting!

I’ve been browsing through similar questions but couldn’t find anything quite like mine. I have a UVB light similar to this one, but after doing some research, I found out it's not great:
https://a-static.mlcdn.com.br/450x4...9633418/0740befbf8dfd29b2bbdda0e57a8a2a9.jpeg

I need to buy a better one for my beardie, who isn't home yet but should be arriving between tomorrow and the next day. The problem is that I live in Brazil, where keeping reptiles isn’t very common, so it’s tough to find proper UVB lights, good brands, and reliable information. We do have Amazon, but the prices are crazy expensive.

I really want to give him the care he deserves, so I’m looking for advice. The only somewhat affordable option I found (though still expensive, just not as insane as Zoomed or Arcadia) is this one: https://a.co/d/bUwlr2r. Is this okay? Does anyone have ideas on how I can optimize or improve this situation?

Thanks a lot in advance!

I don't know that brand, but it is the right type. It for sure is better than what you have now.

 

[ChileanTaco]

Now the link opens for me (before it said "security restriction").
I agree with xp29: That one can be used. Please buy that one.

@xp29
The "lucky reptile" brand I also see sometimes here. Never had it, as I can get ZooMed, but have seen it here online.

 

[xp29]

Now the link opens for me (before it said "security restriction").
I agree with xp29: That one can be used. Please buy that one.

@xp29
The "lucky reptile" brand I also see sometimes here. Never had it, as I can get ZooMed, but have seen it here online.

I've seen posted some times also , but I've never used it so I don't know much about them.
Being reptile branded and tube type, I would think it's at least decent. Better than a coil for sure.

 

[ChileanTaco]

Being reptile branded and tube type, I would think it's at least decent. Better than a coil for sure.

Yes, I absolutely agree.

 

[mayvigh]

Here the link: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dTfePSD6L._AC_SL1500_.jpg Is it working?

 

[ChileanTaco]

Thanks, yes the link (also your link above) is now working.

 

[mayvigh]

I've seen posted some times also , but I've never used it so I don't know much about them.
Being reptile branded and tube type, I would think it's at least decent. Better than a coil for sure.

I'm glad this one works. Should I get calcium with D3 to optimize it or I risk too much D? What you think?

 

[mayvigh]

I have this one for basking! What you guys think? In here is very hot, I'm afraid it will get too hot for him. Now is 28C/83F, and thats actually cool for us lol

 

[KarrieRee]

Arcadia ProT5 UVB Lighting Kit

Arcadia ProT5 Complete Reptile UV Lighting Kit Looking to provide your reptile with the best lighting solution available? Look no further than the Arcadia ProT5 Reptile UV Lighting Kit. This highly adaptable kit is designed to meet the specific needs of reptiles, offering exceptional quality and...

internetreptile.com

you want the 12% 24 watt

Arcadia Pro T5 UVB Kit - Desert 12%

Highly adaptable lighting kit producing UV-rich light Links up to multiple kits Fix inside a vivarium or place upon a wire mesh glass terrarium

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

 

[KarrieRee]

I have this one for basking! What you guys think? In here is very hot, I'm afraid it will get too hot for him. Now is 28C/83F, and thats actually cool for us lol

You want a solid clear bright white basking bulb -- you will need 2 digital probe thermometers to get a surface basking temp of 105-110 F for a baby 95-100 F for a dragon 6 months and up -- Arcadia Halogens are good but you need to get the correct wattage of bulb --- Flukers basking are good along w/ Exo Terra Intense

 

[KarrieRee]

I'm glad this one works. Should I get calcium with D3 to optimize it or I risk too much D? What you think?

How old is the dragon?

 

[mayvigh]

How old is the dragon?

Thank you for sending the links, sadly as I mentioned before, Arcadia isnt an option for me!

As for his age, I asked the seller and he hasnt reply yet, I'm guessing he's 2 to 5 months old, but its just a guess, I'll find out soon I hope.

Sice Brasil is super hot and we dont have winter where I live, I dont think the temps should be hard to achieve. My main concern now is UVB. I have one digital probe thermometer, and I'll buy one infrared to be more precise with measuring.

 

[xp29]

I'm glad this one works. Should I get calcium with D3 to optimize it or I risk too much D? What you think?

A lot of people Use the d3, but if your uvb is good their bodies produce their own. Ypu xan offer it but it really isn't a requirement.