Hey there

I went into my local reptile shop and came out with a basic setup for a bearded dragon. It included a couple of things that he seemed to insist on even though i wasn't sure so just wanted to check up on them.

He told me that i would need a night-time heat source and included an ExoTerra heat rock for that purpose. WAIT! Don't go off on one yet It is a "thermo-controlled" one.

So, what i want to know is... is a night-time heat source necessary or even beneficial if the viv temp wouldn't drop below 65F anyway?
And, does anyone know any reason why the "thermo-controlled" heat rock still isn't safe?

Also, included was a Habistat dimmer for the basking lamp, but i noticed that the max temp on the dial is only 92F and adult beardies should be basking at 95-105 according to what i've read... So, how does that work?

Thanks!

never use hotrocks. take it back and ask for your money back

as for the stat for the light u just put the sensor a bit further away from the basking spot and adjust while monitoring temps until u get it right, once its set u wont have to touch it again except to slightly adjust now and again.

it is the wattage of the bulb that will control the basking spot. you can set your thermostat to say 88F but if you are using a 100W bulb and the thermostat probe is not directly uder the spotilight you should get a good warm basking spot. put a thermometer under the spot to monitor temps..

i had a 4 beardies in a 6ft viv, with ceramics and two spot bulbs for basking, then had the ceramics for night time temps

__________________

MY SNAKES AND INVERTSLAVENDER 1.1BUTTER 1.0ABBOTTS OKEETEE 2.1BLOODRED 1.1STRAWBERRY SNOW 0.1ULTRAMEL HET CARAMEL 0.1STRIPED HOUSE SNAKE 0.1CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 0.1.1AMEL CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 1.1ROYAL PYTHON 0.1MEXICAN RED KNEE 0.0.3BRAZILLIAN WHITE KNEE 0.0.2GIANT SPINEY STICK INSECTS 2.3

right for starters beardies sense the heat coming from above them i.e the sun. The problem with heatrocks with beardies is that they will lay on it and will not feel any heat coming from it. For all they know they could be fine but they could well be buring without even knowing. As for night time heating i use a 50w night glo bulb. This stimulated moon light and also keeps the temperature from going below 65. My temperature stat only goes upto 92 but if you ut a thermometer in the basking zone mine shows that it goes well past 100.

__________________
1.0.0- bearded dragon--arnie---R.I.P
0.0.1- royal python--ringo
0.1.0- borda collie--buffy
0.0.1- sonoran desert kingsnake--rio--FOR SALE
0.2.0- leopard geckos-- zippy and bungle R.I.P both
0.1.0-huskie rat-fizz
0.0.30- goldfish--no names
0.0.5- tropical fish--no names
0.0.1- 1 sister
thomasinge13@hotmail.com

www.myspace.com/tom140

Tom140: but a under tank heater, or heat rock, even though heat rocks are bad, are good to help digest the food, in beardies.

__________________

1.1 Epicrates cenchria Crassus - Carr and Carrla

1.4 Python Regius - Nyoka and Meesha

0.1 Varanus Acanthuras - Irwin

1.1 Uromastyx Ocellatus - Apollo and Electra

that makes no sense??? with correct heating theres no problem with digesting food and definetely no need to have heat directly on the bellys

__________________

MY SNAKES AND INVERTSLAVENDER 1.1BUTTER 1.0ABBOTTS OKEETEE 2.1BLOODRED 1.1STRAWBERRY SNOW 0.1ULTRAMEL HET CARAMEL 0.1STRIPED HOUSE SNAKE 0.1CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 0.1.1AMEL CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 1.1ROYAL PYTHON 0.1MEXICAN RED KNEE 0.0.3BRAZILLIAN WHITE KNEE 0.0.2GIANT SPINEY STICK INSECTS 2.3

deffinetly read, that UTH help digest food, in a beardie thread or care sheet!

__________________

1.1 Epicrates cenchria Crassus - Carr and Carrla

1.4 Python Regius - Nyoka and Meesha

0.1 Varanus Acanthuras - Irwin

1.1 Uromastyx Ocellatus - Apollo and Electra

As a night time heat source the rock will be fine. Just make sure the probe is physically ON the rock to ensure it only gives off local heat and put it UNDER your basking light.
This will simulate a rock holding heat over night as it does in nature.

Not something ive ever heard done personally, mind you i dont know anyone who uses hot rocks .


I personally prefer ceramics for the night time temps myself, gives good daytime temps and with spots a good basking area, just a tweak of the stat(or day/night stat) and youve got perfect night time temps anywhere in the viv

__________________

MY SNAKES AND INVERTSLAVENDER 1.1BUTTER 1.0ABBOTTS OKEETEE 2.1BLOODRED 1.1STRAWBERRY SNOW 0.1ULTRAMEL HET CARAMEL 0.1STRIPED HOUSE SNAKE 0.1CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 0.1.1AMEL CAPE HOUSE SNAKE 1.1ROYAL PYTHON 0.1MEXICAN RED KNEE 0.0.3BRAZILLIAN WHITE KNEE 0.0.2GIANT SPINEY STICK INSECTS 2.3