heating questions

[Chris F.]

i purchased a baby yesterday and i'm guessing he's about a month old. i was amazed in that as soon as i put him in his new home and added crickets he instantly started to hunt them down. i need to know the best type of lighting to use as far as wattage, brand, etc. i've read different theories as to the benefit of UV lighting and so far i've been using a ceramic heater as the sole heat source. i've heard from some that they do emit UV rays, but others have said that they don't. if i should not be using this, please let me know. if UV lighting is recommended, do you have any suggestions as to what a good day/night cycle would be? i'm planning on buying a timer if need be. thanks in advance for any suggestions......chris

here he is

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/512/656beardie.JPG

[klein]

not sure if that bulb puts out UV or not, but you said UV is recommended, it is not recommended it is MANDATORY, i have read that a lot of peoeple use the repti sun 5.0 or 8.0 for there UV, i am sure other people will tell you what they use and if i am wrong with the names at all please correct me

[concept3]

ok, their i is such thing, as you propably know as uvb, and uva. i think every light made by man produces uva. UVB is the essential one for helping your beardie refine calcium and vitamin d3. i have heard of one screw in type bulb, not a ceramic heat emiter, that produces uvb and it costs about 90 bucks so unless you have paid that for a screw in, you need a flourescent bulb fixture, plus a bulb, hopefully a zoo med or exo-terra, 5.0-8.0 or 20 watt. so please ASAP get your beardie this type of light or you will end up with mbd, or calcium defficiency.

[ChristinaM]

Hi Chris, Gorgeous baby dragon :D Congrats.

Yes your dragon needs the UV bulb. Two of the best are: Exo-terra Repti-Glo 8.0 and Reptisun 5.0. Personally I use the first.

UV is an essential component to a dragons growth and developement, and someone already addressed the calcium issues.

The ceramic heat emitters are great for heating, love em myself. But you do need the other.

A good cycle would be a 12h/12h or 10/14hr. Similiar to us. They appreciate a typical day night schedule :)

good luck, any other questions please feel free to post. Congrats :)

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Hey there, congratulations on the new addition. I do not mean to be a stickler, however next time please ensure to be prepared prior to purchasing an animal.

Now, for your lighting questions:

i've heard from some that they do emit UV rays,

Keep in mind there are two forms of UV light that we are interested in here: UVA and UVB. UVA is the visible wavelength of light, and is thought to be responsible for the psychological well-being of your reptile. This is given off by just about any light bulb, and for this reason I do not like using ceramic heat emitters for my dragons. I find they prefer heat lamps which emit UVA rays. UVB is the non-visible wavelength of lighting. UVB radiation permits reptiles to manufacture vitamin D3. Without the presence of Vitamin D3, the calcium in their diets is not synthesized and simply passes through their system unused. This is fundamental in preventing or reversing such diseases as MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). And be assured, lacking in UVB lights WILL ultimately result in a disease related to calcium deficiencies. So therefore, UVB lighting is mandatory. My preferred bulb is the Reptisun 5.0. In regards to a heat source, any bulb that is delivering the desired temperatures is suitable, whether it is purchased as a reptile product from Super Pet, or a house bulb from Home Depot - the UVB lighting is the item to be concerned with. Again, UVB lighting is not recommended, it is mandatory.

As for the light cycle, a 12 hour cycle will suffice. I would definitely recommend a timer - you can pick one up from Canadian Tire for approximately $15.00 and it is definitely worth it. Good luck, and if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask.

[Chris F.]

thanks for the info. i was prepared in that i had gathered information from several sources with differing views as to what is or is not necessary. i have read about perfectly developed dragons who were raised without UVB. i can't cite the sources but i did read it. that's why i came here, for information and more opinions. please don't make the assumption that i'm unprepared for the care when so much information is available and sometimes contradictory....chris

[ReptiliansDOTca]

No problem, but I figured you should have determined the correctness of these contradictions first :). Please do not take offense. Either way, unless the dragons were raised outdoors, I can guarantee you they were not "perfectly developed."

[Chris F.]

follow this link: www.dachiu.com

this is where i got the information that formed the basis for my questions.......chris

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Hey there, I checked out their site, and it seems they are suggesting exactly what I am, that UVB is absolutely necessary. Nevermind, I see what you are talking about now. Problem is, they need the UVB to put the vitamins to use...

[Chris F.]

all is good. i have an exoterra 8.0 on its way to my house. thanks for the pointers.....chris