Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1.) What type of light(s) do I buy for the beardie, when should they be turned on/off. Is there one light that should stay on all day then off at night? Thats really all the questions I have... Is a 50 gallon big enough for 1 adult? Thats all I plan on owning. Im just confused about the lighting.

1.) What type of light(s) do I buy for the beardie.

It really depends on several factors. Bearded dragons need a light or source for heat, light intensity and UVB (there are some that feel UVB can be replaced with Calcium with D3 supplements)

You can meet those needs several ways:

1. With an all in one bulb, like a mercury vapor (PowerSun, ActiveUV heat, Capture the Sun, High Noon or Weston) these provide UVB, Heat and light intensity. (you still may have to add a plain household bulb in another fixture for brighter light or/and more heat, depending on your set up

2. Another way is with a Fluorescent tube for UVB, (ReptiSun, ReptaSun in 5.0 ot 8.0) and then a plain household bulb for heat and light intensity (watts vary to get the right temp).

3. Natural unfiltered sunlight for UVB during the day and in evenings or rainy/overcast days you can use a plain household blub inside for heat/light intensity (this is how we raise the babies) I a dragon is getting 3-4 hours of sun a day, no additional UVB or D3 should be needed.

when should they be turned on/off.

Most of the year, they should be on a 12-14 hours on, 10-12 off... this will change when they enter brumation or cooling periods, we use 14 on, 10 off.

Is there one light that should stay on all day then off at night?

Unless the temp drops low in your home at night(below 70), or where the dragons are, no lights are needed at night and they really need the rest time. If you have to use a heat source at night, we have found the blue bulbs are better than the reds.... but a Ceramic heat emitter is even better for nighttime. They do not need an undertank heat source.

Is a 50 gallon big enough for 1 adult?

yes, provided you give it some running around or time out of the tank/enclosure. We have found that as adults they spent most of their time in one area of the tank/enclosure, no matter what size. They do really enjoy time out of it and exploring til they find a dark corner to snooze in. Most really love to be taken outside or on walks also. We even have kiddie pools for them and the majority love water and swimming.
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What wattage bulb for a 50 gallon tank?

Not sure what type of light you are talking about

For heat, it depends on temp you want and the location you have the enclosure in. We have 65 gallon longs and use 75 Watt light bulbs for additional heat and 160 Watt Mercury Vapor for heat and UVB over the basking area.

If we used tubes, I use the 5.0 or 8.0
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