Heating & Lighting

[Hsut77]

I know this topic has been done to death a bit, but I was after some more specific information on heating and lighting for a Beardie enclosure.

I received a 4ft tank with stand and a hood for my 30th last week (lucky boy!!!!!). I have insulated the sides and back to stop heat from escaping but I am yet to buy the electrical fittings. It will be in the main area of our house which is centraly heated,. I know tanks arn't the best but it was a present so will make the most of it.

My question is - can anyone recomend what is the best type of heating and lighting to use. ie. Fluro tube or fluro bulbs (Exo Terra Repti Glo) for light ? Light globes, Ceramic, infrared, basking spotlights or Sun Mercury Vapour Bulb for heat? The fittings would be fixed to the underside of the tank hood so would be at least 500mm from the tank base. Of course I would have an elavated basking spot but my main concern is buying the wrong types of fittings that would not support the correct heat or light for the Beardies requirements.

Any help would be great.

 

[Forensick]

hey!
you are like a week behind me.... got a 4foot tank for dragons.

i have a heat cord under the tank, connected to a thermostat.
the probe i keep under the tiles i use as substrate (i found otherwise the tiles got too hot to touch)
and a creamic heat lamp (repti-glo or something) with a 40watt globe.
i put a thermometer under the lamp this morning to test it.
it only comes too 33degrees, so i am going to try a 75 watt globe.

i havent insulated anything, other than the polystyrene underneath.
(the heat cord is between tank and the polystyrene).

i used a laser temp gun to make sure the ties weren't too hot, as i read beardies prefer heat from above rather than below.
the top of my tank is wire mesh, and the heat lap is under that.

i also have a 3 foot reflector with a 10.0 reptile light

 

[Hsut77]

Thanks for that! Was your 2 foot fluro pre wired? If so where did you get it from? Bunnings carry the 4 foot but nothing smaller.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Forensick]

its a 3 foot aquarium reflector (with the glass removed)
bought from upmarket pets in melbourne

 

[Chris1]

my beardies have a 2 foot repti glo tube fro UV and 2x60 watt reflector globes fro heat ($2.35 from coles)

they need to be able to get within 6-8 inches of the UVB fro maximum benefit.

i'd say the tanks probably a bit small fro an MVB.

 

[DragonKeeper]

My beardie also has a reflector globe from Coles, and a Sun Glow compact globe $12 from www.wehaveitall.com.au

 

[Chris1]

is the sunglo UVB as well, i thought it was just UVA?