Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What kind of lights for heating and uv are you guys using for your babies? As I have posted on here before my guy is 2 months and 10 inches long. He is a Hypo Red x Red Sandfire. Also I finally got my guy to use the bathroom after 4 days! And boy he must of had to go!! I appreciate any help on this!!!

D

For heat I recommend a regular halogen bulb you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes. They give off nice heat, and will out last a regular incandescent bulb. As for UVB I suggest getting a Zoomed Repti-sun 5.0 bulb the length of the enclosure. Repti-suns have been used for years and tested quite a few times. They provide a nice amount of beneficial UVB rays if used at the proper distance. The dragon should be 8-10 inches from the Repti-sun to get full benefit of the UVB. You can do this by raising the basking spot. If your dragon does not have proper temps it can cause their metabolism to slow, and they will not poop regularly. they need a nice hot basking spot of 105-110 on one side of the tank and a cooler side to get out of the heat.
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Mystical-Dragons Website

What watt do you use for them?

I"m not sure of the size of your tank, so I can't say what wattage to buy. Usually halogens burn a bit hotter, so I go down 10 watts from the incandescent I would use for the tank. Really you need to get a thermometer and get the proper basking spot and temps. That is one of the most important things in keeping a healthy beardie is proper temps and light intensity. Not sure if you have one or not, but They sell digital thermometers with a probe at Walmart for 10-12 bucks. With that you put the probe on the basking spot surface and check the temps until you get the needed temperature of 105-110 on the basking surface by lifting or raising the basking spot or light.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

My tank size is 48x18x18. I was figuring probably 120-150 watt would probably make the temp between 110-115, in the hottest part of the tank. The rest of the tank right now is 80 except for the furthest part of the tank stays at 75. Right now his basking temp is 107 and hes right under the bulb and its about 4-5 inches above him. I got a digital thermo. Let me know what you think.

D

You should section it off so it is only 20"-30" for that small of a guy(but HUGE for his age), so he can find crickets easier.
A 75 watt halogen may be too hot, I would suggest a 60 and a 75. Put in the 60 watt and let it heat up for 1-2 hours check temps and if it is to cold put in the 75 and if that is too hot get a thermostat and lower the wattage to 70, check temps and keep doing the same thing til' it's right.
Matt