Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 100w bulb above my bd's basking rock but cannot get the temp high enough. I use Reveal bulbs and now wonder since they are a cooler light (blue effect rather than yellow/pink) and are not appropriate for this use. The light is 10" above the rock's surface - should I try to raise the rock more? What do you guys typically use for a basking light? What diameter dome?

thanks,
lele
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Any household bulb can be used for a basking light, as long as you have a separate flourescent UVB light. Or you can use a UVB mercury vapor bulb, which produces a high level of both light and UVB.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

____

sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

Alot of people use the MVB like the Powersun. They come in 100watt and 160watt. They are nice because they give off the needed uv and heat.
Depending on the size of your set-up, you might have worry more about it getting too warm rather than not warm enough.

Hope that helps.
Shannon

Yup, have a cham so I know all about the UVB/basking/heat issues I have a 160w Power Sun (my 100w was replaced 3x in a year so probably won;t get another)that is currently in use while Luna is gravid. I think it would fry my little guy! It is a 29high tank.

I think the distance b/t rock surface and bulb is too much so I will try to adjust this. I also have a ceramic heater so I may employ that as well.

thanks,
lele
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

You cuold buy a regular GE type household bulb, much cheaper. Raising the baskign spot a couple inches is fine as well. IF the bulb you are using has a blue tint, may be better to get something else, that soft tint may diffuse the amount of overall light as well as heat.
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PHLdyPayne

yeah, I think the reveal bulbs are too cool - they produce a nicer light, and are fine for my cham, but less heat. I'll raise his rock a bit, too. He is coming tomorrow so I am sure there will be adjustments afterwards, too!

thanks,
lele
-----
0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

For $5 or $6 just go get a proper basking bulb.

Wendy
Scales

Thanks Wendy, I am new to beardies, but not to herps and have always used ordinary bulbs as basking lights - and of course UVB. I do not find basking bulbs to be necessary and not worth the extra that they charge. My question was really to know what wattage folks use and distance from basking site just to get some gauge. I moved his site up and will switch to a warm, rather than a cool light.

thanks though

lele
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Not everyone charges an arm and a leg for basking bulbs.

We use 100 watt basking bulbs for our dragons and they are anywhere from 5 to 16 inches from the basking spot and do well.

You can also pick up "spot" bulbs at your local store that will focus the heat where you need it.

I just figure for $5 it is better to have the correct equipment.

Wendy
Scales

I made the changes and just checked temps throughout the tank. His spot is 108 and the gradation elsewhere ranges from 75 and up so I think I am all set. When he goes to his final big tank next fall (probably) I may have to consider the spot bulbs as our temps get chilly here in the winter and can get a bit more tricky to regulate. I am going to a show on the 16th so I will see who is selling what for how much

Looking forward to not have to worry much about humidity. Keeping Luna's and the T's moisture up is a daily effort in winter.

thanks again,
lele
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info