blue bellies?

Question
What type and brand of light should I use for my blue belly lizards? My tank's size is 18x18x18. I'm new to reptiles and I don't fully understand the whole lighting subject. But I do have an undertank heater and I already have a round fixture.

Answer
Hello Kiely:

    I mostly deal with snakes but I have a blue belly and they are wonderful pets.  Mine has a 60 watt UVA / UVB light 6" above the screened top.  I keep the light 6" above the tank top to avoid burns which can happen very quickly with reptiles and amphibians.  The inside tank temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees during the day supplied by an under tank heating mat.  I have sterile soil for a substrate with driftwood for climbing.  I also have a hide box in one corner for privacy.  Clean fresh water in a shallow bowl is available constantly.  The tank is cleaned and all waste is removed as soon as it is noticed.  Regardless of normal cleaning, the tank is completely cleaned once every four weeks.  I feed mine wax worms and other insects every other day and remove food not eaten after two hours of being offered.  Gut loaded crickets every other meal are also offered.  When I got this one, I handled it slowly for the first month or so to let it get use to me and comfortable being in my hands.  I waited at least two or more hours after eating to handle it, this avoided stomach upset.
    These lizards can be very entertaining pets but require proper care.  Most keepers list them as low maintenance pets but I have never heard of anything living as being low maintenance, all animals require constant love and attention.

                                      I hope this helped
                                      Joel La Rocque