Bulb wattage?

Question

I am getting a juvinile bearded dragon, I have researched but have a few questions that I can't get a deffinate answer on. The viv is 4ft x 2ft x 2ft the heat source I am planning on getting is a ceramic bulb and a 23" x 11" heat mat. I think 100 watts for the bulb is too much combined with the heat mat.
Any ideas please?
Also do these both need to be connected to the termostat?
What is best an analoge or digital thermometer?

Answer 1

you need a uva/uvb bulb 60 to 75 watts works good heat pad is fine too make sure you are putting all the heat at one end of the tank and leave the other end as the moist hide area and make sure all heat sorces stay OUTSIDE the tank ie clip lights and external heat pads for under tank

Answer 2

There are so many variables to consider. But as a rule, if you have underground heat and overhead heat - where is the dragon going to be able to cool off at?

We use beach sand or clean newsprint paper for substrate, and use NO underground heat sources. It's best to keep it simple.

We use overhead UVB lighting - and a regular light bulb for heat. If we use fluorescent UVB, then we use a higher wattage light (75W) for heat. If we use a UVB bulb that has heat combined - then we use no extra heat.

In that sized enclosure, surely you will have enough room to add lots of furnishings - and can make a substantial basking site (closer to the heat source). That is where you need to check the temp during the day. The best basking temps are between 95F and 105F. We usually offer 100F.

The dragons don't need night heat, so a ceramic heat bulb just isn't practical. At night the dragons like temps down to 65F. In the winter, they will go to sleep for a few months (brumate) in cooler temps.

Answer 3

Really with a heat mat you will need a thermostat and thermometer set-up.
Digital is more acurate.

If you connect the bulb through your thermostat it will be going on and off when you don't want it to.

Try a 40 watt bulb for starters and keep an eye on the tempreture. for a while. If this proves to be not enough work your way up 60 then 100 watts until you maintain the correct temptrature in your tank

Answer 4

quite the wattage is the quantity of electrical energy it makes use of. you acquire a bulb that makes use of 9W yet because of the fact it is great effective it quite places out as plenty easy as though it have been a typical 40W bulb. you should purchase a up-to 50W bulb. this may be 20% brighter than the present 40W bulb.

Answer 5

if you get a mesh screen cover and use a towel to regulate the heat use a 40 watt bulb, cover the top and see with the combination of mat heater and bulb open 6 inches of the towel to allow min. air flow through the cage. wait at least an hour use 2 different style of thermometers one about 1 inch above the basking area and one the other end of the tank. get the basking area stable by pulling up or lowering the lamp to around 100 degrees about 1 inch above the area the rock or material you use for the resting area will dissapate heat pretty quickly. I regulate the rocks temp by allowing it to touch the water in my tank it help dissapate. on the other end of the tank it can go as low as 75 but you want a range that will allow them to move around and regulate their heat in their natural way. the under tank heater will help keep this around 75 to 80 degrees depending on your ambient temp of your house. now once you have the basking area at the correct temp and you want to lower ambient temp of the tank you can roll the towel back more. always keep at least 6 inches clear for good air flow. if you cannot get it high enough switch your basking lamp to a 60 watt and raise it a little. it takes a while to get it all right. you can use a uva/uvb ceramic to help with heat also it will raise it about 5-7 degrees. if you use a flourescent uva/uvb source it will not raise the temp. do all this and check various areas of the tank. it takes about 30 minutes with no touching of the towel or opening of the tank for the temp to settle in. using a glass style or stick on thermometer. digital is quicker to respond but the tank still needs to regulate itself. adding items to a tanksuch as live plants. a bigger water area, branches etc will change temp in minor ways but the branches also will allow them to get to an upper area and as we know heat rises. always use two different styles of thermometers say a stick on dial one from petco and a digital or one of the tape ones. I hesitate to say glass as I have heard of one horror story about glass. pets were not hurt but the potential was there it got broke by the lizard jumping and nocking off the wall of the tank. once you are done and satisfied let it sit for 4-6 hours recheck and then and only then introduce your beardie to the environment and observe for 2 hours with being in the same room in case something might go wrong. I am very cautous as I lost a clutch of eggs to trusting one style of thermometer it was 10 degrees off and instead of 85 it was 95. I now use 3 sources of temp checking in my incubator now. leason learned. great question and you gave great info on how to help you. one last thing I work really weird hours and my tank is in my room i bought some felt from walmart and used just the plastic part of the velcro about every 10 inches I put a 1 inch strip you can just push the felt to the velcro and it sticks and acts as a light block so I was able to sleep. just a thought.