Worried mommy ...

[slddgk]

I was using a GE Edison Ford Halogen 50W PAR 30L Flood light (output 630 lumens) for my babies basking spot light. But my cats jumped up on her tank and knock it down - so when I went to the store I got GE soft white 65W floodlight (output 755 lumens), now my baby closes one of her eyes every so often when basking. Oh I am using a 18" long Repti Sun 10.0 UVB for her UVB light. And that is normally within a 3-4 inches from her basking spot light. And when I am home I try to take the screen off to prevent obstruction with the wire. She is approx 11 inches from the basking light. I have a probe on the basking spot ... but she keeps laying on it, but when she doesn't it is approx 100-110 degrees give or take. Should I be worried, can the heat light hurt their eyes?????

Oh she is in a 20gallon long tank - but I have a 50 gallon wide (36"L x 18"W x 19"H) that I am preparing for her - - but I am trying to work out all the lighting issues. I really want to get a Megaray MVB bulb - but I have to wait for the money to but it for her. Until then - can I use the same lighting I have now with adding some low wattage household bulbs to brighten up the cool side? Need help on that.

I hope I am just being over-protected of my baby - but I don't want anything to happen to her.

 

[diamc]

Hi, have you retaken the temp since you replaced with a flood light? That actually seems kinda strong for a 20 gallon long tank. Make sure when you check the temps that you lay the probe end so that it is touching the basking surface, wait about 45 min for the temp to stop rising before you get the final basking temp. If you could put the Repti-Sun and basking light side by side that would be a good idea as then he could get both benefits at once. But, make sure the UVB is about 6 to 8" from your beardie. I used a standard 75 watt household lightbulb in the 20 gallon I had set up and got a basking temp of 106.

Sometimes a beardie will close one eye or the other which is normal. A good idea to check things out though anyway.