What uv light should i use for a bearded dragon

So we know that UVB light is necessary for reptiles — and that a lack of UVB light can lead to a range on health conditions — but why? Vitamin D3 is extremely important because it allows your bearded dragon to absorb and use calcium.

As a result, reptiles without proper UVB light will have low Vitamin D3 levels, and therefore low calcium levels. As we discussed above, bearded dragons with low calcium levels often suffer from something called Metabolic Bone Disease juveniles are especially susceptible. This is a very painful disease that causes bone issues and deformities, so make sure you provide proper lighting from the start.

Choosing the right size UVB light is very important in keeping your bearded dragon healthy. When placing your UVB light, mount it all the way to one side of your tank preferably the side with the basking light.

Zoo Med is a great company and their UVB bulbs have a solid reputation among reptile enthusiasts. But wait…just when you thought our pick was simple, there are a few more things that we have to cover. In addition, T5 fixtures can sometimes be mounted above the mesh top of your enclosure. Since UVB output is much lower in T8 fixtures, the bulb must be placed inside of the tank. As we just learned, picking out the right UVB bulb for your Bearded Dragon is a pretty specific process.

Choosing a fixture to house your UVB bulb is on the completely different end of the spectrum — you have a lot of flexibility any T5 fixture of suitable size should do. Mounting the UVB fixture inside of your tank is actually pretty simple — just pick up a few command hooks and attach them to the back of your tank.

It may seem funny that the fixture is mounted towards the back side of your tank, but this is completely normal. As UVB bulbs age, their output falls out of the nm range. As a result, it is extremely important that you replace your UVB bulbs regularly — every six to twelve months is a good rule T8 fixtures burn out quicker, usually around 6 months. T5 bulbs can last up to a year. Keeping your bearded dragon healthy requires multiple things, but one of the most essential things your bearded dragon needs is UVB light.

Without enough vitamin D, calcium levels will go down and can result in metabolic disorders, bone problems, and issues with egg formation in females. These reviews of the top 7 best UVB lights for your bearded dragon will help you pick a light that will help your beardie stay healthy for years to come.

This lamp can be used in hood or dome light fixtures. It can be used vertically or horizontally to fit different fixtures and it will fit into any standard threaded socket. This is a quartz bulb, which means that it should not be handled with bare hands. The oils from your hands will damage the bulb, shortening its life and possibly causing it to shatter. This light will need to be replaced every 6 months, even if not burned out, to maintain UVB efficacy.

This light has a similar name to the ZOO MED compact lamp but is larger, more cost-effective, and a different type of bulb. This bulb is a T8 fluorescent bulb, which is rated for 20,, hours of use, so it should last up to 8 years.

This bulb contains mercury and should be handled with care and disposed of properly. You will likely need to check your local hazardous materials disposal laws.

This bulb is perfect for tanks that are around 36 inches and can be used in both terrariums and vivariums. The lamp holder is a sleek, black dome that holds the heat lamp. You will have to purchase a separate light fixture for the UVB bulb in this kit as the included lamp only works with the mercury vapor lamp bulb. This bulb will need to be replaced every months to maintain efficacy.

These bulbs are each tested prior to sale to ensure they work correctly. They are made to fit standard threaded light fixture sockets. The recommendation is to place this light inches from your basking area. Since this is a parabolic bulb and not a long bulb, it can be used for tanks of any size, although larger cages may require more than one light. Just outside of that focused light is a warm side of the tank.

With basking, warm side and cool side, you create a heat gradient across the terrarium horizontally for terrestrial animals, and vertically for arboreal. This allows your animal to regulate their body temperature at their convenience. To most accurately monitor terrarium temperature and humidity we recommend a digital hygrometer thermometer. Choosing the correct tools for the job can make or break your reptile habitat. You should avoid heat rocks at all costs as they can get too hot and burn the sensitive underbelly of your reptile.

All heat tape and heat cable needs to be regulated with a thermostat. Here is a quick rundown of some commonly used dependable heating elements: 1 Ceramic Heat Emitters project a penetrating heat that generates no residual light, so it will not interrupt sleep patterns. These are perfect for night time temperatures. They also outperform incandescent bulbs in both heat output and working life. UVA is more or less harmless to reptiles, so the worry of excessive exposure is nill.

UVA exposure is beneficial in that is increases appetite and activity levels much like bright visible light will A bright viv with lots of lighting will also be one with good levels of UVA. In nature, UVA is the most common UV radiation, and it plays a critical role in the lives of most reptiles. The production of Vit d3 is why UVB lighting is so critical. D3 aids in calcium absorption, among other things. Without sufficient Vit d3, a reptile will be unable to absorb calcium and will be at risk for developing Metabolic Bone Disease.

UVB light has a much higher energy level then UVA, and it is this energy that damages DNA; because of this, UVB lighting must be implemented properly, as excessive exposure can lead to skin and eye issues.

As Jess mentioned, the only proven bulbs on the market for use with Bearded Dragons are the Reptisun While other bulbs may indeed work, the reliability and safety of most competing manufacturers have been called into question on too many occasions to recommend their use.

You may hear the term UVC thrown around. UVC is incredibly dangerous, and is used as a surface sterilizer by many industries. Any bulb emitting UVC should not be used. Very few reptile specific bulbs, if any, emit short wavelength UVC. If they do, they are not only a danger to your dragon, but to you too. In nature, the ozone layer blocks virtually all UVC entering the atmosphere Anyways, I've posted this picture in the past.

Figured it would also be relevant here. Once again, great post Jess! Jess Extreme Poster Original Poster. Aww, thanks so much guys!

I'm hoping for a sticky! I'll add the cool side stuff in a sec. Jess don't add too much stuff like that one person did.