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lighting/heating

22 14:16:43

Question
Okay, please don't laugh at me for my questions.  I just purchased my first bearded dragon and a Zilla kit for him.  I am so confused as to what bulb is what and which one I should have on how long, etc.  The kit came with the Coil Basking light/20W, Day blue light 150W and the night black heat light 50W.  Can you please please tell me what does what and when I should have which one on and for what reason.  Which one should he be "basking" under, which one stays on all the time, etc.  I can't believe light bulbs have confused me so much.  

Thanks so much!!

Answer
Hello Cara,
Oh I wont laugh at you!  :-))  There are no dumb questions.
I am glad you did ask though because unfortunately, some of the lighting is not right.
Do you have a UVB light?  Is the coil light the UVB light?  If so, you will need to take that back.  That light is very hazardous because it emits low wavelength UVB light.  It can be very harmful to the eyes, as well.   Also, please do not get a Reptiglo UVB light, as they are not good, either.  
The best UVB light is the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  You can buy it from  www.petmountain.com  for much cheaper than the petstore.  Also, the blue basking light needs to be replaced with a bright white light instead of the colored light.  They don't do very well on colored lighting.
You can find the flourescent tube light fixture from Lowe's or Home Depot, easily to fit the UVB tube light.  
Also, the black heat light, doesn't necessarily need to be used.  Is it very bright?  They usually do better sleeping at night when it is dark.  Any nighttime heating that is used should be a ceramic heat emitter which only puts out heat but no light.  The petstore probably has the ceramic heat emitter, but you might want to check the prices online though too.  
So, for lighting.  He will need a UVB light & a basking light on for 12 hours per day, & then total darkness for rest, for 12 hours.  
The UVB lighting is extremely crucial for health.  If he does not get UVB exposure he will not be able to process & absorb his calcium & vitamins.  He can develop metabolic bone disease which is crippling & can end in death.  
The basking light is important because he needs to be maintained at a basking temperature of around 95-110.  The cooler end should be around 78-82.
The basking light needs to be placed directly beside the UVB light.  
Are you going to be giving calcium 5 times per week?  

Tracie