Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My adult dragons' enclosures are heated by mercury vapor bulbs, that go off at night, causing a temp drop to that of the surrounding home (68-70F). I recently got a baby dragon (3 months old). His enclosure is heated with a ceramic heat emitter, which is currently going off at night. Should babies experience this night time drop, or should I leave the heat on all the time for him? If I leave it on, at what age is it OK to drop it at night?
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Robins Critters
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa Kenya
0.1 Crested Gecko Peek
1.1 Blue Tongue Skinks Indigo, Azure
1.1 Bearded Dragons J.J. & Missy
1.0 Uromastyx Uri
1.1 Eastern Box Turtles Squirtle & Yurtle
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 European Green Toad Lucy
0.0.1 Red Eyed Tree Frog Scarlet
0.1 Tiger Salamander Sally
0.1 Mossy Frog Kate Mossy
1.1 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton & Thandie Newton
2.1 Cats Baxter, Jasper, Zoe

Those night temps are good for dragon, no need for additional heat.

I 2nd the last post. Beardies should have bright enclosures though so I would consider replacing the Ceramic Heat Emitter with the appropriate light bulb to provide proper temps.

I agree with BDlvr...get rid of the ceramic heater,replace with a bulb...but NOT a "blue" or red, even a household bulb is better than those. the dragons need a bright enclosure, and if you just have fluorescent tube it's not enough. Your dragon may survive but it probably won't thrive.

Thanks, everyone. His enclosure is lit with a UV 10 compact bulb.
Additionally, there's lots of light from nieghboring enclosures.
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Robins Critters
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa Kenya
0.1 Crested Gecko Peek
1.1 Blue Tongue Skinks Indigo, Azure
1.1 Bearded Dragons J.J. & Missy
1.0 Uromastyx Uri
1.1 Eastern Box Turtles Squirtle & Yurtle
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 European Green Toad Lucy
0.0.1 Red Eyed Tree Frog Scarlet
0.1 Tiger Salamander Sally
0.1 Mossy Frog Kate Mossy
1.1 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton & Thandie Newton
2.1 Cats Baxter, Jasper, Zoe

Buffysmom said she uses Mercury Vapour bulbs for heat and I assume UVB and lighting as well. These should brighten up the cage sufficiently...unless the cage has a solid top and the bulb is mounted outside of the cage and resting ontop of a wire mesh at one end...then definitely be a good idea to add a florescent tube fixture with either regular full spectrum bulbs to lighten up the cage, or even addition UVB lights.

As for night heating... 68-70F night drop is fine for both adults and babies... if it gets lower than 65 consistently, it may be necessary to provide a little extra heat at night (you don't want the temps to be above 70F at night, dragons do need it cooler at night). You can use the heat emitter to raise the temp if needed, to keep it around 65-70F at night, using a thermostat or slide switch..so temperatures don't get too hot at night.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

PHLdyPayne I think we both misread Buffy's post. She mentioned mercury vapor bulbs for adult enclosures, but sole source of heat for this baby is the ceramic heat bulb.

Agreed with others, a basking bulb would be much better fit. Low wattage of course : )

You're right, the MVB are with the adults, no mention of any UVB sources for the baby.

Buffysmom: If you dont' have UVB light for your babies, its very important you do get a UVB bulb and provide a bright light for the basking sight. Ceramic heat emitters are far better for nocturnal arboreal reptiles than day active sun lovers like bearded dragons.

I recognize your nic so I know you've been around awhile so I am assuming you do have UVB for your babies and a bright light, but only wanted to know whether additional heat is needed for night for the babies.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Yes, I do have a UVB 10 bulb (compact) for light & UV for the baby. The enclosure is brightly lit. Thank you, everyone
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Robins Critters
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa Kenya
0.1 Crested Gecko Peek
1.1 Blue Tongue Skinks Indigo, Azure
1.1 Bearded Dragons J.J. & Missy
1.0 Uromastyx Uri
1.1 Eastern Box Turtles Squirtle & Yurtle
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 European Green Toad Lucy
0.0.1 Red Eyed Tree Frog Scarlet
0.1 Tiger Salamander Sally
0.1 Mossy Frog Kate Mossy
1.1 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton & Thandie Newton
2.1 Cats Baxter, Jasper, Zoe