Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in the process of picking out my first beardie. I am setting up my 20L to house him in while he is a baby and was wondering about the types of heating/basking lights that are out there.

I want a bulb that will provide UVA/UVB rays, heat and light all at the same time. I already have a dome to place it in. I've seen several types of bulbs and wanted to get your opinion on them.

Have you ever heard of an arcadia compact bulb?
http://www.arcadia-uk.com/en/220reptilecompact.html

If I go with the Mercury Vapor bulb, what wattage should I go with for such a small enclosure? I've only seen it offered in 100 watts and this seems a little too much.

Thanks for the opinions!

The bulb your asking about does not produce enough heat. You will need a seperate bulb for heat. Right now I got a baby in a 20L and a 75 watt regular house bulb is providing a basking spot of 110 degrees. I use a Repti-Sun 5.0 for uvb. With a mercury vapor your going to Have to raise it up off the screen or else it will be to hot. I use powersun mercury vapor bulbs in my bigger tanks 4 footers. In a small tank like a 20l, I don't think he will have enough room to get away from such a powerfull light bulb. Also those new compact flourescent bulbs haven't been tested yet for uvb. I know it says 7%, but there are tons of companies that false advertise. i would stick to bulbs that have been tested. Repti-suns are pretty much the best for flourescent uvbs. Mercury vapor bulbs like powersun, avtive heat, and capture the sun by big apple herps all give off about the same uvb, 50 micro watts. For larger tanks I would use the mercury vapor for small tanks the reptisun.

Where can I get the Reptisun 5.0? There is a bulb at a pet shop around here that offers a UVA/UVB bulb by Zoomed and it costs $80. Will the reptisun run me about the same?

Is there a place online I can order from?

Thanks!

It's a fluorescent lamp. My cage only has a wire screen across the entire top. How do I mount the Reptisun?

I would remove the wire mesh top and cut a piece of 6"x1" board to fit over the top (doesn't hae to cover the entire top as you want to leave room to be able to get your hands in to feed etc). Then get a 18" (or shorter...not sure how wide a 20L tank is) under cabinet flourscent light (Canadian Tire, Home hardware, Home depot will carry these). Just pull off the plastic cover and remove the bulb it comes with and replace it with the Repti Sun 5 bulb. Mount the fixture to the board and you should be fine. I think you can get 12" under cabinet fixtures as well as the 18" and bigger. They cost maybe $20 Canadian, much cheaper than the flourescent hoods that you get for aquariums. $50 )

This is how I have my 35 Gal tank set up and so far it works great.