My Beardy

Question
QUESTION: I have been reading so much and all the information is soooo overwhelming.  I have a bearded dragon that I just love and I KNOW I do not have the right light in his tank at this time.  I have a 48" fluorescent holder that  the bulb broke and I need a new one, from the info I am reading I should have one that outputs UVB as well as UVA, then a basking lamp which, most, also put out UVB, some do not.  If I have the fluorescent that spreads the UVB everywhere isn't that better than just in one spot?  Should I get a heat bulb with UVA only??  Then, also there is the "night lite" to keep heat 24 hours, beardy should have this as well, correct?? Then I see ceramic heat emitters.  I just don't know what he needs but right now I have a regular house light fixture bulb in there for warmth until I get all this straight!  I don't want to spend so much money on the wrong things!  Can you tell me if I have a 45-50 gal long tank what should I equip it with for a beardy?? There are so many choices, I just want someone to tell me "you need these"!!  Thanks for your help, I really want to make him happy and comfortable, I don't want him to loose calcium in his bones, etc...  He is currently active, eats well, has water but really only spills it, I never see him drink.  One pet shop said they don't need a water dish, that they get moisture from salad. the other said they HAVE to have it. I get conflicting info so I am not confident on what I should purchase, can you help???

Warmly,
Karin



ANSWER: Hello Karin, I am so happy you have done some research and that you are into the best for your pet. What I find is easier is having a separate UV light then a heat light. You have many choices
1) a Regular Heat lamp in a ceramic fixture and its just like a regular light bulb but puts off heat. And the same but red because reptiles cannot sense the red as light and see it as dark. Which also puts off heat only for night. Then have a UV Bulb, which is long just like the flourescent fishtank bulbs but put off UVA and UVB rays.
2) A ceramic heat emmiter left on 24hrs and a UV bulb (ceramics cost a tad bit more but most are gauranteed for 2 years and WELL worth the investment.
3) A Heat lamp with UV rays and a Red Night light

Personally I beleive that option 2 is the best. Using a ceramic Heat Emitter and a regular UV bulb. Its how most of my animals are setup. Here are some links to the exact items I beleive are best.
(the fixture shown in the first link can be bought cheaper at stores Like Lowes, Home Depot, and Wal*Mart BUT be sure that the socket holding the bulb is ceramic. This helps reduce chances of fire.)

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=402

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1018
( I believe you have a fixture for the bulb in the link above)

With the item below I suggest getting a 150 watt because if its too low of heat then there is nothing better to do but buy a new one. If you buy one that might be too hot then you can always hang it from a ceiling above the tank a good 6 inches or more or less. So 150 is recommended for a 50-100 gallon. The 100 is for a 30-40 so think about it that way.

I hope this helps if  you need anything else let me know.
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=741



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

QUESTION: Well, I ordered a long flourescent that emits both uva and uvb, a "coil" bulb that is heat and uva only and my red, or maybe they were purple, heat bulb for nite, will that do ??  I was tossing around the ceramic heat emmiter and didn't order it, then I got your respnse!  Drat!  I will order one for when this bulb wears out! So, he should be all set, right?  The UVB from the flourescent I would think is better because it spreads the entire tank, another opinion I got was to give the UVB through the heat/basking bulb (a mega-watt flood bulb was reccommended) and not the flourescent.  I went with the flourescent because I have the fixture and I figured 6 of one half a dozen of the other. Also because a 100 watt was reccommended iand I only found a 160, thought it too hot possibly, do you think one is better over the other? He seems happy with his 60 watt bulb!  lol! I think anything right now will be an improvement!   Thank you for your response!  I appreciate the help!

Answer
Ok, I have to admit that confused me the first time I read it but I think I got it now. Hee hee, I think the flourescent long bulb is fine and the heat bulb is ok too. The red night bulb is fine as well. I think those lights work as long as you do have the UV lighting which you say you do, you have a day heat which you do and the temperatures are correct, and the night bulb has correct temps as well. Test the temperatures if they are good then so are the bulbs. If you are not sure with the watt get one that you think will be too hot then not hot enough you can always hang the bulb above the tank so it spreads heat better but its no good if the bulb doesn't put out enough heat. I hope I was of some help. Good luck