R-Zilla 50 Halogen/Flourescent Combo Dome

Question
Hi Diane,

I've been trying to get the answer to this question, but can't seem to find a qualified person to answer it.  I have a 36" x 18" x 18" glass tank for a Blue Tongue Skink (which I am waiting to get until my heating is good).  My raised basking area is actually 10" away from the lighting, but I am looking to get one of those R-Zilla 50 Halogen/Flourescent Combo Domes at Petsmart (Fixture Model 100011464).  Will this put out the necessary heat on the basking rock to hit 95?  I tried to get the answer from another expert and they gave me the bluetongueskink.net caresheet.  I have that and the site and think they are fabulous, but neither answers my question.  If 50 is too low, should I go with a 60W CHE and a flourescent or is that too low too.  I saw your other answer to a guy saying you use a 60W for your iguana and that seems right.  I just really love the combo light if it will meet my needs.  I plan on putting a smaller under tank heater under the tank for the nighttimes (and only at night), as it gets about 65 in that room of the house at night and I want it to be comfortable for the BTS when I get one...which is very soon, if I ever get the heating right.  I just don't want to do trial and error with $40 dollar bulbs, or more.

Thank you...any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Regards, Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,
Its wonderful you are getting everything set up before you get your BTS!!!!!
You don't want that dome as those circle lights as they have caused many problems. Stay far away from them...I've also heard that many people that have tried them, other than the health problems they can cause, the timers wear out fast, and they go through bulbs rather quickly. I suggest you go to http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_Meter_Owners/  and do a search on "circle" .  You don't have to be a member to read the posts.
Also, there are other links to more info on good and bad uvb sources.
BTS do need a good source of uvb.  Personally, if you want to only have one dome fixture, I would go with the Mega Ray MV lights.  Its a screw in Bulb that produces both fantastic uvb and heat.  WWW.reptileuv.com  can give you more info.
With the Mega rays, they come in different wattage's and types.  I'm using the 100 watt SB on my iguanas. I also use the 60watt EB(external ballast) sometimes as its less heat.
You may need to have another fixture for night heat, and also possibly for more light during the day as the mega rays don't put out a ton of bright white light.
Now that I have confused you with all of that... Its very hard, if not impossible, to have only one fixture to do all that is needed for reptiles.
For nightime heat on my igs, they have the 60 heat emitters from Reptile UV...I have them on thermostats, so that if more heat would actually be needed during the day, they will come on.  They provide no light, just heat.
As to what wattage is needed to maintain temperatures...
that depends on room temperature, air circulation, placement of tank(near a sunny window?), inside or outside wall..
What I generally suggest to people is this...
get one of the temperature guns or a thermometer with the probe on the end of the wire... place the probe directly under your basking light, at the reptiles level...this will give you the actual basking temperature.  
One nice thing about the mega rays...the distance the bulb needs to be from the reptile is greater than the distance for uvb tubes. This makes it possible to raise the light up to get the temperature you need.  I don't think a 50 watt is going to "cut it" for heat in the size tank you have. If you go with a uvb tube, for basking, you may have to go to a 75 watt...
If I were setting up that tank for a BTS, I would most likely go with the 100 watt (remember, you have distance to play with)Mega Ray in a dome fixture(with a ceramic socket), a 60 watt HE from reptile uv... and a fluorescent aquarium strip fixture with a bright light(non uvb) tube.
For my leopard gecko, I have an undertank heater, and a 60 watt HE(reptileuv) and an 18 inch fluorescent tube....20 gallon long tank..and the highest warm temperature is 90-92 degrees with a room temperature between 72.5 and 75 degrees. I give you this info to give you an idea as to what it may take to heat your tank.
With the iguanas, their cages are so large, it wouldn't help you knowing how much heat sources they have..lol.
Hopefully I haven't confused you more and have given you some direction to head in.