We recently became the owners of an 8 week old beardie (and are borrowing a 23 gallon long tank, light fixture, and bought the rest of our needs from big box and smaller pet/reptile stores). After hearing the substrate debate over and over, we began to hear a debate over what wattage and type of bulb we needed for our little Vrti (short for Vrtra...if you are into mythology...). We have the long bulb (seeming to be the only agreement we found amongst "experts") but as far as basking and/or night heat lamp. Our little girl's highest (and usual basking spot) is about 6 inches from the lamp. We finallt took one breeder's advice and bought a 60 watt broad spectrum bulb and a 50 watt red night heat lamp. We also have heard a 50 (and from another source a 75) watt basking light.
Being a first time owner I am paranoid about my beardy's well being. I constantly find myself feeling for enough heat but I can never be sure.
But if I can find good advice I might be able to stop freaking out.
2007-09-12 18:04:07 · 2 answers · asked by Don B 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
No need to freak out, just get yourself a reliable thermometer. The digital ones with an external probe work well. The hot spot for a young bearded should be 95 - 100F. There is no hard and fast rule about wattage because differerent brands of bulbs can produce different amounts of heat even though they consume the same wattage. Your ambient room temperature also plays a role. Only a thermometer can tell you whether you've got the right bulb.
2007-09-12 21:53:15 · answer #1 · answered by Thea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
okay we have had our beardie for years now and have always used a 60 watt full spectrum light with a heat pad under the tank and have never had any problems we turn the light off at night and just have the heating pad on.
2007-09-13 07:51:52 · answer #2 · answered by cameron b 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋