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Best bulb/heat source for beardie viv?? Just over 4x2x2

4.8K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  StuOwen86  
#1 ·
Right so what's the best bulb for a bearded viv i.e halogen or normal bulb at the minute were using a reptile one from the local pet shop but at nearly £6-7 a go they seem a little steep and I'm getting all new stuff to go with the custom viv I'm gonna order off Volly just over 4ft (51x21x24) so what's the best in your opinion or what do you use?? also screw or bayonet any difference or just whatever bulb holder you buy. Say if I get a 60w halogen from tesco would I need a dome reflector??

Thanks for the help guys much appreciated.

Stu.
 
#2 ·
I prefer the bayonet because when my screw bulbs eventually go they can be a real pain to get out but I use both types.

I like the normal spot bulb 40w/60w/100w depending on room temp and viv setup.

Any of the cheap ones on ebay seem to do the job. One thing to watch out for though is different brands have different basking temps even at the same wattage.

I think I normally pay around £7 for 10 and they last ages. I would buy reptile ones but I find they normally have dangerously high basking temperatures of around 130f.
I find with these cheaper bulbs the basking temp is a much safer around 110f and spread the heat out better.

This is an example of what I would buy,
20 x 60W R63 Reflector Spot Light Lamp Bulbs BC, B22, Bayonet Cap | eBay

or

10 x 60W Pearl Reflector R63 ES Spot Light Bulb | eBay
 
#3 ·
You mean just for the basking light right? Sorry, just wanted to check to make sure you know they need a UV source as well. You can buy mercury vapour bulbs which give both UV and heat, or you can buy separate bulbs for each (normal cheap halogen bulb for basking and specialty fluorescent bulb for UV). Just kind of depends on how you want to set it up.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Cheers imginy ill have a look at those. Do the reflector bulbs do away with the need for a separate dome reflector type cover thingie (proper name lol)

Also I already have an Arcadia UV at the minute (12%) I'm just swapping the viv due to still using the one we re homed them in (2x2x2) been a few months due to when we got them the had no UV a heat mat and a terrible infestation of red mites which took ages to shift.. Previous keeper had no clue whatsoever, bottom of the viv is burnt and they were very small and skinny. Now they eat like champions lol fattened up nicely so will be moving house shortly.

Stu.
 
#5 ·
A 50w halogen or similar will probably do the job. £3-4. Unfortunately there's no way really of saying which bulb will work best, it all depends on ambient temps, height of basking platform, etc. Get a few around similar wattage and see what works for you. Remember halogens run hotter.
 
#6 ·
I recommend getting a couple of different wattage ones as well. I have a 75w exo-terra basking lamp in mine and when the weather was cooler it wasnt enough and now its too much being the weather is a lot warmer.
In the winter i needed a 100W basking lamp.

I am yet to try the halogen ones
 
#11 ·
#13 ·
I was going to use a ceramic but figured as i already had a dimmer stat i would just stick with the bulb but swap over to normal (non-rep specific) as they are cheaper lol still using the Arcadia UV unit i have which is 12% anyway and only a few months old.

Stu