bearded dragon ?

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  I am getting my first bearded dragon for my birthday this January.  I am having some of my relatives get me parts of all the equipment I will need for Christmas.  So far I know I have a 40 gallon terrarium, zoo med basking spot lamp 100 watts and zoo med ceramic infared heat emitter 100 watts.  I am concerned that I don't have all the lighting that I need.  I think I need a fluorescent bulb but I am not sure what to get?  What size?  What do you suggest and where to get it?  Thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Hello Teddy,

You just need a UVB light.  :-))
Here is the UVB that you need, if you want to use a florescent tube bulb:
It is the Reptisun 10 tube bulb:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-rept

You do not need a Ceramic heat emitter except for very cold nights.  They can go down to temperatures in the upper 50's tp 60's at night.  During the day, you will just need to use a bright white basking light such as what you are getting, along with the UVB tube bulb.

Since you do have a 40 gallon tank, you could opt for a mercury vapor bulb, if you wanted to.  
The best mercury vapor bulbs are either the Megaray or the T-rex active UV heat.
You can get the Megaray here:

www.reptileuv.com

You can get the T-rex active UV heat here:

http://www.petmountain.com/category/465/1/reptile-mercury-vapor.html

****Note:  Do NOT buy any Zoomed Powersun 100 watt mercury vapor bulbs, they have been causing some problems lately so until they are straightened out I don't recommend them.  Also, stay away from ALL Reptiglo 10 tube & or coil UVB lights, they are no good.  The compact & coil UVB lights are not good enough to be used for bearded dragons & have been known to be unsafe in a lot of instances.


Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for that info and the links!!!

I have one more question...

my 40 gallon tank is 36 inches long so what size Reptisun 10 tube bulb do I need?  Should I get the 18, 24 or 36 inch bulb?  What would be best for my bearded dragon's needs.  If i need the 36 inch bulb I can't seem to find the fixture.  

Answer
Hello Teddy,

You will need a 24 inch Reptisun 10 tube bulb, so he has a little bit of area in the tank where he can get out of the UVB if he wants to.  Can you find the fixture for the 24 inch?
You are welcome for the links.  Let me know how things are going.

Tracie