Absolute BEST lighting for my beardie?

Question

I have 2 - 29 gallong tanks for my beardies (one long and one tall - and yes they will get a bigger home when they're adults so don't lecture me on that, please). I'm not happy with the lighting they have right now because the lady at the pet store just wanted to make a quick sale. Grr!

I'm thinking of getting this hood for my beardies, but I want EXPERT opinions on the matter. The 30" is what I'm lookin' at.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752661

I already have a 24" ReptiSun 10.0 tube light for one (getting another) so I'd get the 30" hoods to go with them. I also have "daylight" (full spectrum) bulbs and night bulbs to go with it (only for the winter 'cause it gets pretty cold here at night) and I also have a basking bulb that makes their basking spot about 105-108 degrees. I thought I had a fixture for my tube lights, but I was wrong.

Would this be a good hood to get or am I all wrong? Breeders and herp experts are more respected. Thanks!

Answer 1

This looks very nice. I do worry about if it breaks you'll have no lights. I have two desk lamps, one with a normal 75 watt spot light and the other with a a uva/uvb curly bulb. I've had my bearded dragon for 5 years.

Answer 2

ok the best way to light a beardie cage is to have a total of 4 differnt lights. 1 basking, 1 daytime light, 1 daytime heatlamp, and 1 nighttime heatlamp

make sure that the temps are where they should be. but i wont lecture you about that given i know other people will

Answer 3

I wouldn't recommend it.  You need to be able to plug the heat lamp into a thermostat or dimmer switch to adjust temperatures.  You want 105F for babies and 100F for adults.  The UVB (Repti-sun 10.0 is excellent) needs to be within 12 inches of the basking spot, and these bulbs should be changed every 6 months as they lose potency.  You don't need heat at night unless the house temp drops below 60F, and if needed use ceramic heat emitters instead.  Night time bulbs will bother beardies.  Glad to hear you are getting larger tanks...mine is in a 75 gallon.  29 is way too small!  :)  Useful sites:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapypho...

http://www.bio.miami.edu/ktosney/file/BD...