Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I keep seeing all these posts with pics of beardie tanks with just one spot light and I can't for the life of my figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I have my guy in a 48" x 12" glass enclousure (screen lid). I have THREE lights on top of the thing, all on one side, trying to create one hot spot and keep the rest of the tank a good ambient temperature.

One light is a UVB flourescent type bulb (I'm sorry, I can't remember what brand/type specifically - it was given to me with the beardie a couple months ago). That's technically a 20watt, but it's supposed to be "warmer" than an average 20w. I don't know about that...

The second is a 150w zoomed basking lamp, and the third is a 75w zoomed blue "night light".

So, in total there is 245w of light all centered in one area and both the tank temp takers (one at each end - one high, one low) read 80degrees. Once in awhile the one up high near the lights climbs to a "staggering" (ha!) 90.

Right now I run all three during the day and the 75w night light at night. Other than going over to eat, drink or whatnot, he stays under the lights basking most of the time..indicating to me that he needs more warmpth.

Are my temp things accurate or am I doing something incorrect?

FYI, the reason there are three is because two of the clamp lamps say they're only rated for up to 75w. I figured easier to jsut put them all up there than spend $$ to buy ones rated for higher wattages. Either way, it seems an excessive amount of lighting to keep the cage warm.

What do you think?
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Corn Snake
0.0.1 Milk Snake
1.2.0 German Shepherds
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
1.1.0 Rabbits
4 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

get rid of that blue night time bulb during the day and if it isnt warm enough get another 150 ewatt bulb but get the sunlight bulb not the basking one...maybe evcen give 100 watts a try....as for night time same thing if its too cold upp the wattage on your bulbs and always use ceramic heat lamps cuuz those metal ones tend to go bad often
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I'm not having a bright light on all night. First all I can't imagine that's good for the lizard to have lights on 24/7 and second off his cage is in my bedroom so there certainly won't be a basking light glowing all night.

So, the blue light will have to stay if he should have something on at night. Or did I misunderstand?
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Corn Snake
0.0.1 Milk Snake
1.2.0 German Shepherds
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
1.1.0 Rabbits
4 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

First off, how far away from the lights is the beardie? I usually make sure that the babies are between 4-6'' away, and the adults just a little more. Maybe 8-12'' away. I use a standard 100watt "Soft-White" light bulb that you buy at the grocery store. I use rocks, bricks, and branches to make sure that they are close enough.

How old is your dragon?

Also, what are you measuring the temperatures with?
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Josh Ellis
Kaufman County Dragons

First, by a pro exotics temp gun (or a similar one, but they have good prices). These are much better at measuring basking spots because it measures the surface temp. Second, make an elevated basking spot. Get the lizard right up close to the light (not dangerously close though), and you'll probably be able to get rid of the 150 watt reptile bulbs, which are inefficient. Look for halogen bulbs, sylvania specifically. Just make sure that they are flood bulbs and that they are evenly textured across their face (some don't have texture right in the middle which creates a spot that is far too hot/small). These are much cheaper to purchase, and you can get away with lower wattages. A 45 watt bulb will easily get you temps up to 160 if you elevate the basking spot enough. It's just a matter of getting everything right. Temps are basically the most important aspect of husbandry. Also, flourescent lighting doesn't give off much heat at all, no matter what the wattage. Who told you it would give off heat?

it's not. It was late last night and we were gathering snow like wildfire. I was braindead.

It's one of the coil lights - still can't remember who makes it. It coils around and retails in the vacinity of $30. Hope that helps explain it a bit better.
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Corn Snake
0.0.1 Milk Snake
1.2.0 German Shepherds
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
1.1.0 Rabbits
4 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

for night time i meant if its too cold up the red light bulb to a 150 watt those can be used for night time use.................i use them on my beardie';s all the time........most people like the blue i like the red and my dragons sleep just fine under the red light keep the white lights for daytime.......damn dude im not that retarded....look at my lizard in my sig, and thats just 1 of them i have moany other reptiles let alone beardie's
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