Bearded Dragon Heat Source

[Brendan]

I'm planning on getting a bearded dragon, but I just want to know whether heat mats would work as a heat source for them.

I do know they require a temperature of at least 100F for basking, but if I were to use two heat mats on one end of the cage, would it work?(ex. one heat mat on the bottom, and one on the side)

OR, if I were to use a heat mat on the bottom, and a hot rock as the basking area for the dragon, would it work?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

hot rock

Never ever ever for any reason. Heat sources do NOT go inside the enclosure where the animal can come into contact with them, any reptile vet can tell you horror stories of what happens.

Also heat mats won't work because beardies need UVB lighting or they develop horrible bone disorders.

 

[Choobaine]

Regardless of what heat source you use (please god don't use a hot rock or a heat emmiter without a direct temp control or you will, I kid you not, COOK your dragon) you will need a tube bulb starter with a UVB light, use a Reptiglo 2.0 desert light and along with a 60 watt bulb (usually for a three foot tank) for heat (and make sure there's a cool side of 75 degrees too). Measure it with a digital probe and for no mess no fuss substrate go for tile, or a mat.

I've had run ins with everything else, the combo there is just the one I rely on. What more can I say? That's what my dragon lives in and it keeps him healthy, happy and well looked after.

Anything else you need to know?

 

[Brendan]

Hmm, alright I'll avoid the hot rock. I do know they need UVB lighting, and I'll get the fixture & bulb and have the light beaming down.

I'm thinking about the lighting & heating setup something like this...

A heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure to provide 85F. A basking spot lamp shining on the spot where the heat mat is to make a basking temperature of 100F. And then the tube UVB lighting on top of the enclosure.

<----------------------Tube of UVB Light ------------------------------->
-Basking Spot Lamp right here-
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|Goal Temperature in thi spot:
|100F-115F

80F-85F​

|
|
|
_________________________________________________________________
-Heat Mat right here-

 

[Choobaine]

That may be too much depending on what your using, my advice is set up your tank and keep it on for a few days (obviously turning it off at night) and measure the temps each day to see if it's regular, because it wouldn't be good putting a dragon in and getting too much or too little. I do it with all of my tanks!

 

[GailC]

I have a 4 ft cage and use a 100 watt bulb in the winter, a 75 in the summer. FOr UVB, a 2.0 isn't strong enough, you ned a 8.0 or 10.0. No reason to use a heat may at all with a dragon, they don't sense heat with their belly.

this is a great beardie forum.
http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/

 

[tyrant963]

I use a 100 watt Flood Light i got from menards. Keeps the temp at 120F at the basking spot.

 

[Brendan]

Hmm...well to be honest, I want to try and limit the amount of watts I use. My parents aren't really happy of the amount of electricity I'm using

 

[Choobaine]

*checks UVB box*

OOooooh you're right, sorry, why is 2.0 stuck in my head? Sorry about that. I'm bad with numbers...

 

[Brendan]

Should I use a compact fluroescent bulb or a linear bulb?

 

[~Abyss~]

I'm sure it's still pretty cold up in Canada so your BD's would be brumating. If you get one late Spring it's fine but I would get a long enought tank so you can get a heat gradient. The basking spot should be at about 100F and the cool spot should be at about 85F. I use a ceramic heat lamp for basking but you can use a regular light bulb as long as you have the UVB running as well.
-Eddy

 

[Brendan]

Okay I'm thinking about getting this 13W Exo Terra 10.0 ReptiGlo bulb for the UVB source: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php

Would it be enough UVB considering theres also a 26W version?

As for the heat & basking, I will put a 16W heat mat on the side of the tank with a 50W regular house bulb for the basking.

So it will look like this:

The 20 gallon long will be used to house a SINGLE BABY bearded dragon. Of course I will make it large as it grows.

 

[~Abyss~]

I've heard bad things about bulbs. Most reptile experts have recomended THIS even gives you reasons why the lights you want suck.
-Eddy

 

[GailC]

You don't want to use a compact UVB, they stop producing UVB in about a month so they are a waste of money. Use a long tube, they only need to be replaced every 6 months.
You say your parents are concerned about how much energy you are using, is because of cost? A dragon is very expensive to raise to adult hood if done proper.
I will say once again, dragons can not sense heat with their belly, DO NOT use a heat mat. A 20 gallon is quite small to create a proper heat gradient, you would probably cook it if you do you a mat and a bulb.

 

[Brendan]

You don't want to use a compact UVB, they stop producing UVB in about a month so they are a waste of money. Use a long tube, they only need to be replaced every 6 months.
You say your parents are concerned about how much energy you are using, is because of cost? A dragon is very expensive to raise to adult hood if done proper.
I will say once again, dragons can not sense heat with their belly, DO NOT use a heat mat. A 20 gallon is quite small to create a proper heat gradient, you would probably cook it if you do you a mat and a bulb.

What if I used the heat mat on the SIDE of the tank?

And yes, its because of money. But I just calculated it out, and if I were to use 100 watts for 12 hours per day, that would be 12 cents. So I guess it isn't THAT bad...

 

[Choobaine]

To feed my dragon it costs fifteen pounds a week, keep that in mind too. Regardless of where you live it will still add up.

Set up your tank first before you buy the heat mat, check the basking temperature then decide. You're better off getting the right wattage of bulb rather than going all out and buying excess. I really advise against the heat mat.

 

[Brendan]

HOLY CRAP! 15 POUNDS!?!? My gawd...are you talking about crickets?

 

[Choobaine]

Locusts.

Locust cost fifty pence per individual that's fifth instar. For a bag of roughly fifty fifths you're paying fourteen pounds or so. An average box of crickets will cost you three fifty in this country at least. Once your dragon is an adult he'll go through a LOT of locusts/crickets. Two boxes and sometimes a half (during growth spurts) were ok when he was a sub adult and even though he eats two thirds greens now a bag does him a week.

This is what the breeders and keepers do here in NI. Nasty isn't it? Prepare for the biggest money drain you can invest in that isn't a pet camel! lol it's really pricey to keep a dragon.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

HOLY CRAP! 15 POUNDS!?!? My gawd...are you talking about crickets?

Don't forget all the variety of fresh veggies you'll have to be buying, too.

 

[Choobaine]

Don't forget all the variety of fresh veggies you'll have to be buying, too.

Yep - once your baby reaches an adult his diet will be two thirds veggies at least, you should total up how much that costs.

My dragon is healthy and happy, and as a result I'm broke.