Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, Ok, still working on converting the display case into a new BD tank. Kinda need the hubby to work the power tools (i'm ascared of them-lol) and he's been busy. But I'm trying to decide on how to light this thing, its 6 ft long and I don't know if I should go with two 3ft lights or if one 4ft light would be ok. I already have a 3ft uvb so either way I'm going to have to buy a second one but my thinking is that its cheaper to only have to buy one 4 ft bulb instead of 2 3ft bulbs. Any thoughts on this? (I really appreciate peoples opinions by the way,, since this is my only and first dragon I realize that I have a very limited view point to pull from and need to rely on the 'experts' here) Thanks a millon, L.
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.1 ?Fiddler Crab (Crusty)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

I would go with a 4ft. The more UVB you can get in there, the better off they will be.

Now,,, I am a firm advocate in the Light = color !!!!
Without a shadow of doubt, I have witnessed beautiful knock dead gorgeous dragons turn drab & dull with a lighting change.
So with that said, this is what I recommend.
After the UVB needs have been met, pack as much "extra" light in the enclosure as you can "WITHOUT GOING OVER THE MAX TEMPS". These guys are sun loving creatures & they feel right at home in "bright" light. If there isn't enough light, they darken up to try to absorb as much as they can, point blank.
For the extra lights I use Phillips Daylight Deluxe fluorescent strip bulbs from HomeDepot ($6 for a two pack) They don't offer any UVB, they are strictly for additional light intensity.

Every set-up is different so you'll have to play around with types & sizes of lights until you figure out the temps it will hold. One tip I can give is,,, add as much ventilation as you can so you can get more light in.

I hope that helps.

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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

OK, so do you think a 4ft double 'shop light' fixture would be ok and do the uvb (repti-sun or repti-glow 5.0) fit in these along with a 'regular' flourescent bulb.... the lighting hood i have now came from the pet store. Thanks,,, sorry for being a 'rookie' but I gotta start somewhere and I'm really REALLY enjoying having a bearded dragon. The room he's moving to (the dining room-ha ha) is one of the brightest rooms in house (not to mention the only room where an 8 ft store display case will fit.)Many thanks, L
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.1 ?Fiddler Crab (Crusty)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

The only thing you have to check for is the size bulb/fixture. They come in T8 skinny bulbs & T12 which are the fat ones. The Daylight Deluxe is a T12. I use the EcoTerra 8.0 bulbs. (buy them at shows for like $12 - $19. Pet stores charge $28 or up.) If not I use the 5.0 bulbs (can't think of the brand)

One option you may want to look into is the new compact fluorescent UVB bulb by ESU. I haven't used it my self but I hear that it's VERY bright! I do use Compacts for my aquarium & you can't beat the brightness. As far as I know, the ESU is the first UVB compact. Follow the link bellow for more info about it.
That is also where I get all my supplies, other than the stuff I get at shows. Their prices are awesome & since they are here in FL. the shipping is great for me.

I hope that helps.

Oh!!! for basking bulbs, do not buy "reptile basking bulbs" I use Duramax indoor spot or flood bulbs, again from HomeDepot. They last way way longer & do the same thing, and cost about 1/2 the price as "reptile" bulbs.
Compact fluorescent

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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

I believe there is a retro kit for that compact. ( a kit that you can mount in a custom cage.) I just doesn't have the "housing" or plastic case. You can call reptilesuply & ask them about it, they would know the details on that one.
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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

The 5.0 Joel is talking about is the ReptiSun 5.0. I like the ReptiSun 5.0 and I also use a MVB. I haven't had the problem with them blowing out like some do. In a large enclosure like the eight footer (lucky dragon!) you are talking about, you need to worry about distance from the UVB. With the standard bulbs you need to be within 6-8 inches of the bulb to get the effects of the UVB, with mercury vapor bulbs (MVB) it doesn't matter how far away they are (actually they need to be at least a foot away from the bulb) they still get the UVB. Those are just the bubls I use.
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Stacey

Actually the display case in total length is 8ft but the 'living' space is only 6ft,BUT, lucky me, the other 2ft has a drawer and shelves for storing beardie supplies. And because it was a store display case (i have no idea what it was used for) it also has movable brackets and 2 shelves so i can move them so I can achieve the correct distance from the bulbs. I've also repositioned them so that the shelves are at the front of the case so that if he's laying on them he'll be at the front and we'll be able to see him better. (this is all theory of course since its not finished yet.) L.
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.1 ?Fiddler Crab (Crusty)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

I've got one beardie who has two different basking spots, one at each end of his tank. Both use MBV's but one is a PowerSun and the other is a Capture the Sun from Big Apple. For the longest time I have noticed when my beardie is under the CTS he is unbelievably more colorful than when he is under the PS bulb. I never could figure out why either. Both put out relatively the same amount of UVB, both are 160watt and both spost are the same temps.

Reading your post has convinced me you are absolutely right on with your light=color. The CTS bulb has clear glass as opposed to the PS bulb, which is frosted. Looking at both bulbs the CTS has a higher intensity of light since you can see the filament. The difference in the color of my dragon is like night and day between these two bulbs.
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Rob Talkington