Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If you have a 55 gallon tank and want to separate it while the baby is little, what size bulb do you use? Obviously, you do not want it to be too hot but you will also need the heat to be able to reach the bottom. Wouldn't the wasted space take heat away from the part the baby is living in too?

This is a debate my son and I are having. He says 60 watt bulb. I say 100 watt to reach the bottom.

Different bulbs, even the same wattage, produce different heat. The important thing is to give the little guys about 115 basking spot and a gradient into the mid 80s (check it with a thermometer). Also with babies you don't want them to have too much room, they won't be able to find their food.

Don't bother in seperating the tank. I have a 55 gallon and my babies are in there. They are just fine. They wont get lost or confused in a rectangular box. They'll actually be happier that they can run around and it keeps their muscles strong while they are developing into adult. Make places for your baby to climb and adventure. (S)he will love it more than a tiny space. What happenes when there are new babies born in the wild? Does mother nature seperate little spaces for them? No, they have the whole worls and they do just fine. I use a 100 watt bulb. Now that it's getting cold, you might need a little more.
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Julie

0.2 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Panther Chameleon
1.0 Jackson Chameleon
0.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Crested Gecko
1.0 Blue Water Dragon
1.2 Japanese Fire Belly Newts
1.1 Aquatic Frogs
0.1 Collared Lizard
1.1 Seahorses
0.1 Chinchilla
0.1 Dog

I am using a 100w tight beam bulb in a 77 gallon, i need to get a highe wattage bulb. Of course that light is 2 ft from the bottom of the tank...

K1LOS

But then again, Mom's usually are, right?

When we got Merlin, he was only 3 1/2 months and went right into a 40 gallon tank. We did start feeding him in a terra cotta bowl so the crickets couldn't get out (he could) and he goes there to feed on his own now. We also set everything up and had the heat and bulbs set before we put him in (but he was in a 10 gallon tank for about a week until it was ready)

Anyway, we both work in a pet store and he suggested to a customer a smaller tank to start. I always say to start with the bigger tank and save money in the long run. He said the person interested wanted to use his 55 gallon and would separate it. That was when the disagreement about bulbs started. (We talk about his day so I can teach him stuff)

He doesn't come here either and I have learned so much by reading the posts. I also tell new people to come here.