Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A couple questions. I just upgraded my baby to a bigger tank. It is a 40 gallon. I was wondering, does the UVB bulb need to cover a majority of the length of the tank, or does it only need to cover about half of it? Also, is an 8.0 or 10.0 bulb best for this size tank? Any brand?

On another note, I have a UVB bulb also over my aquatic turtle. The bulb itself gives off a slight body odor smell that I can notice when I walk by it. Is there any reason the bulb would do this? It is a Zoo Med 5.0.

Also, I know that they do not need heat pads, however, there are some nights that get very cold in my house and I would like to be able to keep some heat closer to the ground for him. I would of course cover the exact spot of the pad so he can not lie directly on top of it. However, I do not want to heat the entire floor of the tank, but maybe just half. With that said, would the Zoo Med one made for 10-20 gallon tanks do that for me? Or would I need to buy the one for 30-40 gallons? I use tile as a substrate as well. I put a heat pad on it currently for up to 5 gallons, but it doesn’t feel like it is doing much of anything. Thanks!

UVB light for your cage should run the entire length of the cage. if using a florescent bulb, reptisun 10.0 is best to use. there are others out there as well the mercury vapor that are also good, but not florescents. rule of thumb is the 10.0 bulb allows the uvb rays to reach 20 inches down. its better to get your dragon a little closer, so make sure hes got a platform to climb on for his basking spot, this being his hot spot. btw a 40 breeder is not big enough for an adult dragon

as far as UTHs go, or heat pads, DONT USE THEM. if your house gets cooler than 60 degrees at night, use a night time heat source as in a red or black heat bulb, or ceramic heat emmitter. UTHs are not to use with dragons.
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Beach Beardies

2.4. bearded dragons
1.0. Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

when I did research before getting my dragon multiple web sites said a 40 gal tanks is fine but the minimum size recommended. That's what I use and my dragon's are just fine with it.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

Thanks for all the tips. Yes, right now, he looks small in the 40 gallon and he is about 15 inches. I know he still has some growing to do, and if he ever looks too big for the tank, I would get a new one. I am hoping this one will suit him just fine though.

if you're gonna use a heat pad than either get a dimmer switch or a thermostat for it so that it won't burn the dragon while it sleeps.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

better yet, dont use the UTH at all. read caresheets, no one suggests using them, all i have read warn against them. its better just to get a night time heat basking bulb. this is only needed if your room temps get lower than 65 degrees IMO, some say 60.

as far as cages, first of all glass cages arent the best choice for dragons. if you are to use them, get some stick on shelf liner and cover the sides and back. second of all the MINIMUM space an adult dragon needs is 4'x 2' x 2'. the height can be adjusted, i have mine at 18-20 inches. obviously a 40 breeder does not meet these measurements. and obviously you dont want to put a hatchling in a huge cage, so starting off in a 20, 30, or 40 is fine, but do know they will need a bigger cage later.

there are many other posts on this forum about cage size, go read them, and 99% of people who know what they are talking about suggest 4'x 2'x 2'
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Beach Beardies

2.4. bearded dragons
1.0. Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

I agree with one thing, I too have read care sheets and books that say the minimum tank size is a 40 B. (36 x 18 floor space) I also strongly disagree and many more say 4x2 is minimum. It's about quality of life and exercise. I guess I could survive in a closet, but even prisoners get 6 x 9. Up until recently my dragons were either in 4 x 2 or 5 x 2 enclosures. The extra 2 square feet of the 5 x 2 really makes a difference by the time you have a food dish, water dish, basking log, hides etc. there just isn't much space left to exercise in a 4x2. I couldn't imagine what it would be like for them in a 40B.

I only work 5 hours a day, so for me the 40 gal tank thing is just fine fir me as I let my dragons out everyday for about 1 hour or so, free roaming the house. They also get 10 mins of swimming a day. I wanna make sure that they can swim if we (Florida) get flooded from hurricanes.

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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

The only place I use UTH's is in my nest box to keep the dirt warm 24/7 when it's that time of year. I would never use one in my regular encosures. First of all it's unnatural. Beardies dig to get cooler. You would be taking that natural option and behavior away. They are also designed and used to the heat coming from above in the wild (sun). Temps. at night are OK above 60. In the wild it often gets cooler than that. I choose not to let my dragons get that cool at night though and use the black light bulbs on day/night timers. I try to keep my enclosures about 70. I also like that the little light it puts out allows me to check on them. You need to allow your dragon to cool at night. When they cool their metabolism slows and they can sleep properly. UTH's unregulated are about 100 degrees this is far to warm for a night time temp.

As posted before, a Reptisun 10.0 is advertised as penitration up to 20" (5.0 = 12" or should be used if the light must pass through a fine screen top regardless of distance. It should run the length of the enclosure. No UVB light puts out anywhere near what the sun puts out in the shade, so it's important that your dragon have as much access as possible.

Regarding the smell. I doubt that it is the bulb as they are sealed unless you have something that has gotten on the outside of it. I often have 8 or so going at once some 5.0, some 10 and neither I nor anyone else has every noticed any smell. It is more likely your fixture or the turtles enclosure.