which uv bulb?

[LS84]

I am building a nice big enclosure for my bearded dragon. Its going to be MDF, 4ft long, 2ft deep and 2ft tall. The basking lamp is going to be from reptileuv, and i cant decide on a 100w or the 160w. The lamp is going to be resting on the top left side, with a hole cut out. So the lamp will be around 24 inches from the floor. I can place a branch or pile of rocks under the lamp to raise up the basking area, and the bulbs need to be 12inches away from the animal. I am having trouble deciding if the 100w will be hot enough. Ideally, at 12 inches id want the hottest basking temp, a little over 100, and from there the beardie can rest at different areas on the brach or rocks for cooler temps. Anyone have any ideas? If anyone has a 100w reptileuv light, how far away are your lights and what are the temps?

[spike06]

100w is ur best bet. the 160 will be too hot. i have my basking spot with 100w about 12" aay and the tem pranges from 99-115

[Draggon]

I think that it would be a good idea to use the 100w and have an inclined ramp of some sorts so they can choose the temp they want

[Heidi]

I have the 100 w and at 12" it keeps them temperature at 115. The temperature quickly declines away from that spot with the same set-up that you are describing basicaly. Her temperature ranges on her basking log from 89-115 with a log that covers about 2/3 of her tank.

With the MVB I believe it is a minimum of 12" from the beardie and anywhere up to 20" while still receiving enough UVB so that gives you pleanty of options so long as the temperatures are right.

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[John_E_Dove]

This link might prove of interest to you in regard to light/distance/UVB output. UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[LS84]

great. thanks so much! Do you guys also recommend using a fluorescent uv light across the whole cage? I was either going to do a double fluorescent and use one reptisun 10 and one regular bulb to brighten the cage, or just use a regular bulb for extra lighting. Im not sure because the reptile uv bulbs give off plenty of uv and the extra reptisun 10 might not be needed.

[spike06]

just use a 5k fluorescent bulb, its its a 4ft cage, use a 3ft light. beardies thrive in bright light. so you dont need a fluorescent uv, just a normal one

[LS84]

i was also reading on the reptileuv website that when using their bulbs not to use calcium with d3, which is news to me. I have a reptileuv bulb for my tortoise, and i still use calcium with d3. I was always told that unless the animal is getting natural sunlight, to always use D3 even with mercury vapor bulbs.

[razeraze]

Excess of d3 is fatal. If you are using a proper uv light 200+uW you should not need to dust every feeding but may want to, every now and again. If you do not provide proper substrate for litheophagy and geophagy in which many insectivores in the wild obtain their calcium and many nutrients, supplements are necessary.