Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone tell me what exactly the benefits of each light are and how long each should be used. Bare with, I just got them yesterday. I have a flourescent. It's a Reptisun and it says it puts out UVB rays but it doesn't say how long it should be kept on. I have a basking light with UVA rays, again, no clue how long it should be left on. I also have a moon light. I pretty much figured this one goes on just at night. Yesterday I left the flousescent and basking on until around 11 p.m. and then used the moonlight. I turned the flourescent and basking on at 7 .a.m.

One other thing... I also have an undertank heater. Last night after I turned the lights off the internal temp fell to about 80/85 degrees. Is this a safe temp. They seemed a little sluggish this morning. If this temp is too cool should I switch to the red heat basking light and just keep it on all the time? If so, would I still use the moonlight?

Leave the lights on a 14/10 schedule. If you have them on at 7, which is great, have them turn off at 9. If you don't have a timer for the lights yet, get one. It makes things much easier and more consistent. What are the temps in your cage? Hot side, cool side and basking? Make sure you measure them with a digital thermometer with probe, or a temp gun. www.tempgun.com. Also, you don't need the undertank heater or the night bulbs...which could possibly interrupt the beardie's sleep. As long as your house doesn't go below 65-70 at night, they are just fine. They actually need to cool down at night. The reason they are sluggish is because they still need to get used to their environment and probably didn't have enough sleep. Don't use a red basking bulb...beardies need it nice and bright. If you could tell us a little more about your setup, feeding, etc. that would be great. How many dragons did you get?? You'll probably have to end up housing them separately, you know. Dragons are great fun to have, just read everything you possibly can on their care, ask questions if you have them and you'll do fine.
-Nicky

-----
What does friend mean to you?
A word so wrongfully abused
Are you like me, confused
All included but you
Alone...
The sounds of silence often soothe
Shapes and colors shift with mood
Pupils widen and change their hue
Rapid brown avoid clear blue
Why’s it have to be this way?
Be this way
Flowers watched through wide brown eyes
A child sings an unclaimed tune
Innocence spins cold cocoon
Grow to see the pain too soon
-Alice In Chains
2.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo, Layne, & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah
1.0 Betta (Finally named him Mr. Purple)

Let's see. I have a 50 gallon breeder for two five week old beardies. This is temporary.... just until we move in August at which point we are going to build our own cage. Anyway, breeder tank with a screen top. Undertank heater (needed, the tank sits right beside an A/C vent and I couldn't keep it warm enough without it). A flourescent light that runs the entire length of the tank. A basking light (temps at 105 in this spot). The cooler end stays around 80 (daytime) and 75 (nighttime). I'm using NatureBark Reptile Bedding for the subtrate. Then they have some rocks, climbing toys and some vines. I offer fresh veggies and blueberries twice daily but they seem to like the crickets and mealworms better. I do have a water dish (I just change the water daily) but they don't seem to use it. I just mist the tank and they lick the leaves and rocks.

So far everything seems to be going good. I've only held them maybe three times (don't want to stress them). They seem very active during the day. Usually climbing things or basking. And they hunt very well. I didn't know how to do the cricket thing so I just dumped a few in but they tracked them down.