Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm planning on getting a dragon come spring so I'm slowly getting things together and getting myself well-educated in the process before I actually make the commitment.

I've decided to go with the T-rex UVB but I'm totally unsure as to which size to get. Which would be more suitable for a 90 gallon glass tank, the 100 watt or the 160 watt bulb???

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated.

tank, and you may also have to use an additional household bulb to get the correct temps, depending on the area and household temperature the tank is in. Tanks in corners usually get warm enough but in the open, they need more heat.

I just wanted to ask what brand of flood light do you use? I been looking and can't seem to find bulbs with UVB just UVA. I mostly see the tube style bulbs that have UVB. So I bought a tube style with 33% UVA and 8% UVB is that ok? For the heat I use just a regular incandesent bulb. Thanks for your help.

Nevermind...I found out the brand "Powersun" but I have one more question. Won't that take care of the UVB,UVA, and heat? Why would you need an extra heat bulb if this will provide heat as well?

more than one dragon, additional heat may be needed to have the proper temps for them. Also how cool you keep your home and the location in the home of the tank is a factor.

We have 8 set-ups inside, in 6 the PowerSun or ActiveUBheat is enough, in two others we have to add an additional household bulb to bring it to the proper temps

90 gallons is a pretty large tank, so if it were me I would go with the 160 watt flood bulb. I have that bulb and you may still need another heat bulb next to your UVB bulb to get the basking spot warm enough.

I actually am using the 160 watt TRex Active UVHeat bulb in a 30 gallon aquarium. It's raised about 6 inches about the tank to get the proper temp, but it just doesn't get that hot. The Powersuns (160 watt flood) seem to be a bit hotter. I also use those and I am very pleased with them. Also, the TRex bulb gives off a green hue and the Powersun has a bright white look to it.

Good luck,
Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

I am currently conducting a research project on the UVB intensity of some of the popular UVB bulbs. I am testing a 100 watt TRex Active UVHeat and a 160 watt Powersun. The Powersun has a lot of UVB, but I don't have a 160 watt TRex to compare it to, only the 100 watt.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

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np

I was mistaken ... the T-Rex Active UVHeat bulb that I am currently using is a 100 watt. I think a 160 watt would be plenty and a 275 would be too much.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

Those are ideal for really large enclosures(like Iguana's) that are put at a farther distance, but you lose the close heat advantage of it you would need with a bearded dragon. They are used by zoos or in like our iguana enclosure outside on rainy or cooler days that need a bit more heat than the ambient air temps

I gather I'll go with the 160 then and if I need another smaller bulb, so be it. Or would an undertank heater on a rheostat suffice?

Thanks for the help. =)

use another light and not an undertank heater, beardies sense light intensity and as such heat on from the "third eye" on the top of their heads, not their tummy area.

I attached a photo of my Dragon set-up. I use a T-Rex 160 watt bulb in the left dome, and a 75 watt ceramic heater in the right dome. Both domes are on timers, and the ceramic heater only comes on at night (after the T-Rex goes off).

I get ALL my daytime light and heat from the T-Rex 160 watt bulb. The basking site stays at 108.7 degrees, and the cool side of the tank is 74 degrees. At night, with only the ceramic heater on, the temps average 67-73 degrees. Depending on temperature/time of year, I can cover or uncover screen top to help adjust tank temperature.

I absolutely LOVE the T-Rex bulb, and the Dragons seem much happier and healthier with it. Appetites and activity went through the roof when the bulb was put on the tank. Previous bulb was a Repti-sun 5.0

Male- 22 inches & 667 grams (pictured on right)
Female-18 inches & 466 grams (pictured on left)
laid 22 eggs on 10-14-03 / 21 were fertile)