Newbie and bearded dragon

[oshb5]

Hi all i have just built a viv 36l x 18w x 22h now am just about to fit the electrics. Its for a beardie of about 15months old . Firstly do i need a BASKING LAMP? or will just the ceramic heater do? Also for the size of the tank i have built what would be the best size of ceramic heat buld 75w or 100w or 150w to heat it pls. It will be linked to a pules type stat. Thanks in advance. Best regards Andy

[ToxicSiren]

Personally id get the basking lamp. Just a normal 100w spot bulb as they assosiate light with heat. But this would need to be conected to a dimming stat. x

[Paul B]

I monitor the basking temps and use different wattage and types of bulbs for different times of the year.

As long as the basking spot is between 100 and 110 (with a lamp) you should be ok. (yo must have UV too though)
Dimming stats are expensive but they are good if you havnt the time to monitor.
All my BD vivs are 4ft which gives them plenty of space to find the cooler end.

My adults have a double decker two storey 4 x 18 x 18 with a hole cut in for access. They love it.

[oshb5]

Originally Posted by Paul B

All my BD vivs are 4ft which gives them plenty of space to find the cooler end.

My adults have a double decker two storey 4 x 18 x 18 with a hole cut in for access. They love it.

I would like to see a photo of the above if you have one or two pls. also what size ceramic do you use? regs Andy

[Aunty_Lizard]

Hi and welcome to the beardie world.. I personally dont use ceramics I use basking bulbs. Beardies do like to bask and in the size viv your using I would go for a 75w but if temps are too hot go down to a 60w.

Liz

[Adam98150]

Originally Posted by oshb5

I would like to see a photo of the above if you have one or two pls. also what size ceramic do you use? regs Andy

A 150W ceramic will heat it nicely. What size is the Beardie? That tank is not large enough to house an adult, 6' of floorspace is the minimum it should have.

[Antw23uk]

Personally i cant understand anyone who wouldnt buy a stat to regulate a basking spot for a beardie. Dimmer stats are on the pricy side but so is spending money on a beardie and it either being fried or an exceptionally expensive vet bill!
Dimming stats are perfect and i would also say a basking light rather than ceramic. Dont forget, probe in the cool end and good luck with keeping your beardie. They are fantastic reptiles so keep asking if your unsure. The only silly question is the question you dont ask

[Pendragon]

Hi, as most above have said, use a spot, not a ceramic. Please remember that there are thousands of different species of reptile, and they all need different equipment to house them correctly, the trick is using the right equipment with the right animal.

Ceramics are good for heating enclosures with animals that do not need, like, or want alot of light, however beardies are sun worshipers, they want bright light, therefor a spot light , and not just any spot light, get the right size bulb so it doesn't spend all the time it is on, permanently dimmed. as Paul B says, you can get away whithout a stat if you use the right size bulb and you monitor your temps daily, but personally I use a dimmer stat for peace of mind .

Also as Paul B mentioned, you must have a uv, and he must be able to get close enough to touch it, don't worry he will not burn himself on it.

Here's a pic of mine to give you an idea.




Good luck


Jay

[oshb5]

Originally Posted by jabba1967

Ceramics are good for heating enclosures with animals that do not need, like, or want alot of light, however beardies are sun worshipers, they want bright light, therefor a spot light , and not just any spot light, get the right size bulb so it doesn't spend all the time it is on, permanently dimmed. as Paul B says, you can get away whithout a stat if you use the right size bulb and you monitor your temps daily, but personally I use a dimmer stat for peace of mind .

Also as Paul B mentioned, you must have a uv, and he must be able to get close enough to touch it, don't worry he will not burn himself on it. You mean touch the spot lamp? (so i dont need a cage around it????

I am going to use the compact uv bulbs one 10 and one 2 if that makes sense?

Here's a pic of mine to give you an idea.




Very nice setup thanks for the photo


Jay

Also for got to ask another question whats the best place in the viv for vents Top / Middle or bottem?

What make of dimming stat pls?

Regs Andy

[Aunty_Lizard]

Vents normally at the top of the viv... It really does not matter what make of dimming stat you get.. The microclimate ones are pretty good though.

Where you have asked questions in Jabbers post... He means the uv light not basking light... They can burn themselves if they get too close to the the basking bulb but not the uvb tube.

Liz