Lights for bearded dragons

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:19

I got 2 bearded dragons yesterday (they will be 8 weeks old at the weekend) and went to a shop to see about getting a heat light for them.

The shop suggested that I can used a red reflector light that would give heat and I could leave on all night as they can not see red.

The light has significantly heated the tank (with heat mat) to 110 degrees - (without mat - to 90 degrees).

I have researched on the internet and every one seems to have a different opinion about wether to leave red light on at night or not. Some say yes it is ok and others say not - even some of the "experts" that have done vids etc have different opinons about this.

So now I am confused about all this.

Any suggestions?

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:26

no the heat needs to drop at night like it would in the wild
another point is a basic spot bulb will do doesnt need to be a fancy one

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ami_j

another point is a basic spot bulb will do doesnt need to be a fancy one

So a basic reflector light will do? Am I still ok using this red one till the bulb goes?

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:32

yeah the red ones fine...as long as it gets the viv as hot
i used to spend 6 quid a bulb when a 1.30 one does the same job its just different packaging

another thing are these baby beardies together? if so you will likely run into problems as they get older...a male / male pair will fight to the death ,and a male /female pair will breed far too young for the female and it will mess her up...they are a bit young i think to be reliably sexed (been years since my guy was a baby) but id invest in another viv tbh

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:34

I paid £2.50 for this bulb but was gonna look around to see if i could get it cheaper from elsewhere.

Apparently wilkinsons sell something similar but didnt get round to checking the price tonight when I was in there. I wanted to get home to put the bulb in asap for the beardies.

Thank you for your responses

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:36

np...
2.50 isnt bad tbh but you can get them cheaper...as long as the temps are correct whats on the box doesnt matter

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:37

its a R60 reflector bulb - that is what it says on the box lol

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybluejojo

its a R60 reflector bulb - that is what it says on the box lol

yeah 60 watt...you can get them from wilkos or hardware shops

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:41

so might get them cheaper after all

THere seems to be mixed opinion about heat mats too - some say use them others say no - i'd say yes as a back up if the bulb goes - at least there would still be some temp for longer in the viv if there is a mat than if not. what do you do/say?

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:42

my beardie has always had one...
i edited my post , are your lil guys together?

cooljules · 29-10-2009, 21:45

expect to seperate the dragons very soon....bad advice was given if you was told you can keep 2 together
the bulb can be a cheap tesco....its the basking temp you need, all works on size of viv, height to basking rock etc...

turn all light heat off at night.....wants to be cool and dark.

cooljules · 29-10-2009, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybluejojo

so might get them cheaper after all

THere seems to be mixed opinion about heat mats too - some say use them others say no - i'd say yes as a back up if the bulb goes - at least there would still be some temp for longer in the viv if there is a mat than if not. what do you do/say?

never ever use a heat mat

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:47

Yeah my lil ones are together at the moment as only have the 2 viv's and the other one has an African Fat Tailed Gecko in it lol.

I am aware that male/male will fight when they are older and my intention is to hopefully breed them at some point, but not together, even if they are male/female, as they will be bro and sis. One is actually mine and the other is my partners. We are intending on getting another 2 from another breeder and then using them to breed hopefully. But waiting to see what sex they are at the mo

cooljules · 29-10-2009, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybluejojo

Yeah my lil ones are together at the moment as only have the 2 viv's and the other one has an African Fat Tailed Gecko in it lol.

I am aware that male/male will fight when they are older and my intention is to hopefully breed them at some point, but not together, even if they are male/female, as they will be bro and sis. One is actually mine and the other is my partners. We are intending on getting another 2 from another breeder and then using them to breed hopefully. But waiting to see what sex they are at the mo

well you will have problems soon....i can guarantee that. plus you cant breed a female for 18 months of age, and a certain weight...

also a male and female with fight, but even before that age, there will be signs of stress, one will grow, the other wont

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybluejojo

Yeah my lil ones are together at the moment as only have the 2 viv's and the other one has an African Fat Tailed Gecko in it lol.

I am aware that male/male will fight when they are older and my intention is to hopefully breed them at some point, but not together, even if they are male/female, as they will be bro and sis. One is actually mine and the other is my partners. We are intending on getting another 2 from another breeder and then using them to breed hopefully. But waiting to see what sex they are at the mo

i reallly would split them...being brother and sister wont stop them as soon as the male starts growing and having showing hemipenes hes likely to want to kill or mate the other

ami_j · 29-10-2009, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljules

never ever use a heat mat

whys that out of interest? ive had my bd 6 years ,hes had a heat mat all that time and hes fine, it came in his set up

babybluejojo · 29-10-2009, 21:54

As one is my partners they are going to be split up anyway. They are just housed together at the min till we can sort out other accommodation for them - which is in process - just waiting for viv to arrive from his daughters friends.

KarlM1983 · 30-10-2009, 16:37

You should never use a heat mat internally inside a tank. There best use us underneath a plastic container (which is inappropriate for beardies anyway). The reason is that pressure directly on parts of the heatmat can cause electrical shorts/blockages, they are also not completely water proof.

You'll need a standard spot lamp 60w upwards for heat, don't forget you'll also need a minimum of a 5% UV bulb and starter as well.

carpetviper · 30-10-2009, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlM1983

You should never use a heat mat internally inside a tank. There best use us underneath a plastic container (which is inappropriate for beardies anyway). The reason is that pressure directly on parts of the heatmat can cause electrical shorts/blockages, they are also not completely water proof.

You'll need a standard spot lamp 60w upwards for heat, don't forget you'll also need a minimum of a 5% UV bulb and starter as well.

Actually It should be a minmum of 8% uv the 5% is meant for tropical uv I would reccomend a 10% uv

I personally use a 60 watt R60 which can be be bought from morrisons £2 for 3.
I also do not use a heatmat but what I do use is a large rock under the basking bulb which stays warm for a few hours after the lights go off which can also be handy if the power goes off for an hour or so.

If you want to know anything else feel free to ask.