I was wondering if you have a heat pad that goes on the bottom of the one side of the tank, do I still need a basking light to shine on the log that he lays on or is the heating pad good enough for the basking? I also have a uvb light that lights the tank up.

Also, when is it good to let them in play sand?

Thanks

U need a hot side and a cold side of the cage. So the heating pad under the tank will be on the side that the basking light is on. U need a basking light and a uvb light. I wouldnt recomend playsand because it can impacted them, use vita sand which u should be able to find at petstores. Its great because its not bad for them if they eat it, and reduces impaction greatly.

Everything i have read so far says stay away from the calcium sand and that play sand is good. Also, if i use the basking light and the bottom heat pad its going to make it way to hot on that one side... The total for the hot
side shoulnt be more than 110.

Thanks

bds detect heat from above not below, so yes please get him a basking light, and check caresheet for appropriate temps on that, i believe about 100 or so degrees. it is more important to have heat source above then below, a heat pad is good for added warmth on the hot side (as mentioned already by reptilecrazy) if needed.

Ok i will get one, but how do you know what watts to get and how hot that amount of watts will make the tank. I do have a termometer, but i want to what watts to get.

I also have a humidity meter. What should that read?

Last, can i use a Mercury Vapor bulbs for my basking light, or is that used just for the uvb source? OR will the basking light provide the uvb's?

Man im so confused. Im trying to get everything right, before i go and buy my little buddy.

Thanks

I have desided after reading the write up here, to try the 100 Watt Powersuns for my basking light. The write up it showed to be very helpful in grouth and color. Since that bulb will provide enough light, im just going to put it in the middle of the tank and aim it so it will shine on my hot side. This should be plenty of light to also light up the whole tank. The write up used a 160W, but im just going to use a 100W


Any input?

Yes, there are conflicting views. A good thing to do is READ, anything and everything. I read everyday, more and more and sometimes I end up with more questions. You are doing the right thing by asking all the questions you can and learn as much as you can. This benefits both you and your new friend.

Is this a good basking light?
If not can you guess post one?

[img]http://store2.yimg.com/I/pet-guys_1801_1851227[/img]

i'm sure that spot light is a good one, i'm not sure of the type or size of your enclosure, but the best way to determine wattage you need is to place the thermometer directly on basking spot under the light & test temps with different watt incandecents or read up on recomendations on which wattage for which size enclosures and the proper distance by product manufacturer. i use incandescent bulbs (and uv flouresents), they provide plenty of heat & light and are cheaper than reptile heat bulbs. however you may have a larger enclosure (i have a lawsoni dragon that is smaller) and the basking site may be farther away there are lots of heat sources available (please, just make sure the bd does not come in contact with any heat source you use). as far as MVB make sure they are not too close to your bd, read instructions for use.
here are some links to buy or just read more on the different types.

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Suppli...ers_108105.html

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Suppli...mps_261500.html

http://www.uvheat.com/ActiveUVHeat.html

http://www.uvheat.com/ultimate_uv.htm

http://www.uvheat.com/Megaheat.htm

these are just some other options to look into, remember safty first!

good luck

I have a 12x12x30 tank.... Considering that each bulb is $35 i want to get the right one the first time, and cant just get 3 diff watts and see which one is the best.

Thanks

Man im just freaking confused. So the basking like really just needs to produce heat for the hot side, and the other light on the coller side just need to be the UVB?

Can anyone just tell me what a good light for the cool side and a good light for the basking side will be.

Thanks

Wattage varies for everyone, depending on how far the basking spot is from the light, how big the cage is, what the ambient temp in the room is, etc, etc, etc. We can't really tell you which will work best for you. You'll have to just buy one, keep the reciept, and if it's wrong trade it for another. That's what I always do.

A heat bulb I will recommend is the indoor/outdoor floodlight by GE. It's very strong and long lasting, and produces great heat. I had to buy it and return it 3 times to find the perfect wattage for my tank. I also have my UVB on the same side of the tank as the basking light, so I know my dragon is spending quality time underneath it and within proper range to benefit from it. On the cool side of the tank I use a regular household lightbulb with very low wattage. This is simply to add extra light and maintain a nice 85 degrees F.

If you go with a MVB, I haven't used them but I hear they are great. All I know is that the more light, the better, so while that may be sufficient for heat and UVB, you still may want to add some regular flourescent or low wattage bulbs to the cool side as well. Being desert lizards they really thrive in brightly lit enclosures.

I know it's all confusing, but you just have to learn by trial and error, and you'll get it figured out soon enough.





FYI, that tank you have is fine for a younger dragon, but when it gets bigger you'll need a bigger tank, for sure (unless you have a Lawson's dragon).

you do have a screen top on that enclosure?

the basking light should be on one side and the uvb flouresent bulb should be across the length of the majority of the enclosure.
fixtures like any of these can be used
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Suppli...d_Hoods_36.html

with the size enclosure you mentioned 30"long x12"wide x12" tall, any of the hoods would do nicely with a nice uvb 24" 5.0,7.0 or 8.0 and most likely a 100w incandesent would be fine for your basking site just make sure you place an elavation directly under bulb. a lower wattage bulb or emitter would do nicely on the other side to use if needed warmth or night time heat is needed (but may not be necessary)
[i would be very carful if you decide to use mvb in that size enclosure]
and may i assume that you are using this for a very young bd and only as a temporary or you have a lawsoni?

Yes i have a screen top...

Im thinking im going to get a 100w mvb for the basking side and just use a an extra 13 fish tank fixture i have with a normal buld.

I havent got my beardie yet, im trying to get my home for my buddy right first... Then im also trying to find a good SNOW or Hypo pastle. I will use my tank for now 12x12x30 till he gets bigger and then im going to make a bigger one like 24x24x32.

sounds like you have a good plan! glad you are doing your research and planning ahead to provide a good home for your bd, doing so you have time to make sure temps are right, by the time your bd is big enough for a new bigger enclosure, you may have to re-adjust set up for that, but you will have better knowledge of how to put it together through your experience now. you will make an excellent keeper, good luck and please keep us posted!

Would the reptisun 5.0 be sufficent for a ten gallon aquarium and then a larger enclosure later?