Basking Bulbs are a heat source for your reptile or amphibian through a radiant heat source (in our case an incandescent bulb or halogen bulb). Basking bulbs simulate the warmth of the sun and provide heat for your pet’s ectothermic animals to help them digest food and keep active.
Many different types of basking bulbs can be used with pet reptiles and amphibians but will discuss what are the best basking bulbs for a bearded dragon in this piece of content.
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It is important to have the right equipment to keep a bearded Dragon safe and happy in captivity. A basking bulb is one such piece of equipment. Without this item, a bearded Dragon would become very ill and eventually starve.
Although basking bulbs can be purchased at most hardware stores and online shops, there are still many things to consider when choosing the right bulb for your bearded dragons. We will be sharing our top basking bulbs for bearded Dragons in the guide.
This will save you time and give you peace of mind knowing that you have chosen the right basking bulb for you.
Here are the 5 best basking bulbs according to me. You should give a to one of these if you’re looking for a quality basking bulb.
Zoo Med Repti
Basking lights are most effective when they heat only a small portion of the tank and keep the rest of it cooler. The Zoo Med Repti Basking Reptile Spot lamp creates a narrow beam that emits 35% more heat than the rest of the tank. This is thanks to its patented double reflector.
The double reflector creates artificial light in the enclosure and provides a warm area for the dragons to bask without heating the rest. This bulb emits UVA rays, which are beneficial for your pet’s health. These rays are beneficial for your dragon’s mental health and overall well-being.
They will help you ensure that your pet lives a long, healthy life. This bulb is more expensive than some of the others we tested. It has a life expectancy of up to 2000 hours and is backed by a 180-day guarantee. We believe that this is a high-quality product that deserves a little more.
Pros
- More heat and light
- UVA rays are beneficial to psychological health
- It can last up to 2,000 hours
- Warranty of 180 days
Cons
- It’s not the cheapest option
Exo Terra Infrared
Sometimes caring for pets can be more costly than we expected. The Exo Terra Infrared Basking Reptile Lamp is a great way to save money and still give your bearded dragon the best care. The price is very affordable, but it has great features that make it the best basking lightbulb for bearded dragons.
Your dragons need warmth at night. An infrared lamp such as this one will help maintain their temperature while not disrupting their sleep cycle. To provide light throughout the day, you will need a different bulb. The bulb has a built-in reflector, which directs heat and creates a great basking area for your dragons.
They can regulate their temperature with it being warm enough to keep them comfortable without worrying about overheating the enclosure.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Red light won’t affect sleep schedule
- The heat is directed by the built-in reflector
Cons
- Doesn’t provide light
REPTI ZOO Spot Bulb
Our dragons are our best friends, so we keep looking for the best products that will make their lives easier. The REPTI ZOO PHP95100 Reptile Full Basking Bulb has many great benefits for our beardies. This full-spectrum lightbulb replicates sunlight. Some bulbs only provide UVA and UVB.
This bulb provides both to your lizards, helping to keep them healthy and strong. This bulb provides more than just light. It also heats up, so your dragons can thermoregulate when they need it. This bulb was a winner for us. It gave us peace of mind knowing that our dragons were getting every benefit possible from a basking lamp.
However, it does come at a higher cost than most other basking bulbs that we tested.
Pros
- Full-spectrum light bulb
- Heat and light are generated
- UVA and UVB protection for your health
Cons
- The most expensive option is the one with the highest price
XYZReptiles UVA
Although it is more costly than other options, the XYZReptiles UVA Basking Light was not the most expensive. Although it doesn’t offer the greatest benefit to your bearded dragons, it does provide some useful traits. The bulb produces 100 watts of heat and light, which your dragon can enjoy.
It is similar to sunlight, providing a broad spectrum of light and UVA rays. It doesn’t have the UVB radiation that your dragon needs to make vitamin D. This bulb is an average product, but there are better products.
Pros
- Your beardie will mimic daylight
- Temperature increases
Cons
- Vitamin D isn’t provided by UVB
Fluker’s
The Fluker’s 22603 Basking Spotlight Bulbs was the first thing that attracted us to it. This bulb is the cheapest we tested and will be a popular choice for many. This bulb does not provide heat or light, but it does provide light. Basking bulbs should provide at least one of the two essential nutrients for dragons UVA and UVB.
The bulb does not provide either, so dragons will suffer from a lack of important nutrients. This bulb also doesn’t provide enough heat to allow young dragons the ability to thermoregulate. It created a basking zone of approximately 94 degrees for us.
This would be enough for an adult, but it is not sufficient for juveniles who require a basking space of 95-100 degrees. The bulb’s 3,500-hour life span is something we liked, despite its shortcomings. This is a remarkable price for a bulb. It will last for a long time, which can save you money over the long term.
However, you’ll still need additional UVA and UVB lighting, so it’s not a great deal.
Pros
- Low prices
- Heat and light are provided
- 3.500-hour life expectancy
Cons
- UVA and UVB are not allowed
- It doesn’t produce enough heat by itself
Availability on Amazon
All of these basking bulbs that I have suggested in the upper section are available at Amazon and anyone can buy them according to their needs at any time.
Guide
Below is the complete guide about how and why to choose a basking bulb. What are its benefits and why you should use one?
What To Know Before Buying Basking Bulbs
Although reptiles are great pets, it is not true that they are easy to care for. It is important to understand their needs for habitat, enrichment, and diet. While your reptile might not need daily walks, it is important to research other factors, such as crafting the ideal habitat.
The right lighting source is essential for reptile habitats. To stay healthy, reptiles require vitamin D3 and light is the best way to get it. The right lighting can also be an important heating source, which can have an impact on feeding, social behavior, and overall activity.
There are many types of reptile lighting. The type you need will depend on the size and needs of your reptile. We will guide you through the selection process so that you choose the best lighting for your reptile.
Types and features of backing bulbs you should consider before buying. There are many features to reptile lamps. The following are important facts to know:
- The visible daylight is important for establishing a natural reptile light cycle. It should be used between 10-14 hours per day to ensure that the species’ light cycle is maintained.
- Nightlight diffuses heat to keep reptiles warm at night.
- Bulbs come in different wattages to ensure optimal terrarium temperatures, depending on the reptile.
- Basking lamps emit a concentrated beam of heat that allows your pet’s body to regulate its temperature.
- Diffuse lamps produce a more concentrated heat which is ideal for warming the upper canopy.
- UVB sunlight is vital for producing Vitamin D3 in reptiles. This allows them to absorb calcium and helps them keep strong bones.
- UVA can stimulate appetites and breeding, and promote natural behavior.
What kind of basking light do bearded dragons need?
It can be difficult for beginners to understand the lighting requirements of bearded dragons and other reptiles. There are many options available and choosing the wrong fixture could be detrimental to your Bearded Dragon’s health.
Bulb Placement
Bulb placement can be more difficult than just mounting the light fixture on top of the tank. Incorrect bulb placement is a common mistake made by first bearded dragon owners.
UVB Lighting
UVB fluorescent lighting is essential for bearded Dragon setups. Without it, Bearded Dragons can develop Metabolic Bone disease (and other health issues). Here are some facts about UVB lighting.
What Is Uvb Light? Why Is It Important?
UVB, also known as ultraviolet Blight, is electromagnetic radiation that reaches wavelengths between 280 and 315 nm. This might not be too significant for humans – our eyes aren’t equipped to see this spectrum. UVB light is essential for the survival of bearded dragons as well as other reptiles.
We know that reptiles require UVB light. However, a lack of UVB can cause a variety of health problems. UVB light regulates Vitamin D3 production in reptiles. Vitamin D3 is vital because it allows your bearded Dragon to absorb calcium. Reptiles that lack proper UVB lighting will have low Vitamin D3 and consequently low calcium levels.
As we have discussed, bearded dragons that have low calcium levels are more likely to develop Metabolic Bone Disease (juveniles in particular). This is a painful condition that can lead to bone problems and deformities. Make sure you have proper lighting right from the beginning.
UVB Lighting Sizing And Placement
It is important to choose the right size UVB lamp for your bearded dragon. The UVB bulb should be 2/3 to 3/4 of the tank’s length. This will allow your bearded dragon to absorb the UVB rays from wherever it chooses to sit/rest. Mount your UVB lamp on one side of the tank, preferably the side that has the basking light.
A small amount of the tank (between 1/3 and 1/4) without lighting can create a “cool area”, which is necessary for temperature control.
Which Uvb Light Is Best For Bearded Dragons And What Is The Best?
The Zoo Med ReptiSun 110.0 UVB lamp is the clear winner when it comes to choosing a UVB fluorescent light bulb. Zoo Med is a great company with a solid reputation among reptile lovers.
Wait, just when you thought that our pick was easy, there are still a few things we need to discuss.
The Zoo Med ReptiSun comes in T5 or T8 versions
The T5 is my favorite it produces a higher UVB output and can be placed between 12” and 18” from your Bearded Dragon.
You can also mount T5 fixtures above your enclosure’s mesh top. To maximize UVB output, however, you should use a reflector (since mash screens can filter out between 30 and 50 percent of UVB rays).
The T8 bulbs should be placed within 8 feet of your Bearded dragon. The T8 bulbs have a lower UVB output so the bulb should be inside the tank.
The Basking Light
A reptile enclosure should include a basking light. Basking lights mimic the natural heat of the sun and allow reptiles to absorb warmth and regulate body temperature. There are many basking lights available that are specifically designed for reptiles.
A simple floodlight with a halogen lamp paired with a Flukers Lamp works well and is more affordable. When basking lights are concerned, it is important to ensure that it provides enough heat. To keep track of temperature, I recommend purchasing a digital thermometer.
The “Cool Side”
As you can see, a bearded dragon setup needs to have a “cool side”. Your bearded dragon will be more comfortable if they have a cool place to go when it is hot outside. In any Bearded Dragon enclosure, it is crucial to maintain a temperature gradient. This is why the cool zone and basking lamps are placed on opposite sides of each tank.
Your bearded dragon may move to the cool zone if the area directly below the basking lamp gets too hot.
Ceramic Heat Emitters
Ceramic Heat Emitters work exactly like they sound, ceramic fixtures that emit invisible infrared light to heat your bearded dragon’s enclosure. You should consider investing in a CRE if your tank’s temperature drops below 60 at night. They are very affordable and can help you bring your tank’s temperature up to 70.
We recommend the Ceramic Reptile Heat Emitter.
A Temperature Gradient
You can see how some of our “zones overlap”. This is what we refer to as a temperature gradient. Simply put a temperature gradient allows your bearded Dragon to select a comfortable temperature by moving around in the tank.
What do you do if your tank temperature suddenly drops after you have purchased all your lights? Adjusting the height of your lights is the best way to adjust the temperature inside your tank. You can adjust the height of your lights if it gets too hot.
Are You A Believer In Lighting At Night?
Bearded dragons aren’t like humans and don’t enjoy bright lights while they sleep. They sleep better with no light. There is a lot of misinformation about this topic. Many “night lights” that are red or blue look great but can disrupt your Bearded Dragons’ sleep cycle.
These lights are a simple product that was designed to be sold to bearded dragon owners. People also tend to turn on lights at night to maintain the temperature. Instead of lighting the lights 24 hours a day, invest in a Ceramic Heating Emitter if your tank temperature drops below 60 degrees at night.
CHEs can heat your tank without using visible light. This makes them ideal for heating it without disturbing your dragon’s sleeping cycle.
Overall Winner
Many owners don’t know how warm lizards need to be kept, and they don’t notice this behavior. A basking spotlight allows bearded dragons to raise the temperature to 95 to 110 degrees F. This is how you keep them happy. Most of the owners don’t understand that using a basking bulb for their bearded dragon is a win-win situation for them.
What Watt Bulb Should a Bearded Dragon Have?
It is essential to generate a temperature differential in the enclosure by heating it to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit and 95-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Lighting for both the hot and cold sides of the tank will need to be provided by two separate sources a UVB tube that extends from one end to another and a heat bulb.
Reptisun 10.0 bulbs, available in T8 and T5 fixture/bulb sizes, are an excellent option for the tube UVB. A halogen floodlight is a superb option for the hot side of the cage and can elevate the temperature to between 100 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. A 40-gallon tank requires a 100-watt bulb.
Keep an eye on the temperature at night, as well. It’s unnecessary to utilize a nocturnal heat source if the room where the cage is kept stays above 65. Temperatures below 65 necessitate using a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) for nighttime heating since it does not create light.
Nighttime darkness and mild temperatures are essential for bearded dragons to improve their immune system.
What Kind of Basking Light Do Bearded Dragons Need?
Each day throughout the spring and summer months, a full spectrum UV light source (such as ReptiSun) is needed for around 12-14 hours every day. Protect your bearded dragon from UV radiation by removing any glass or plastic that may be between the bulb and the animal.
Every six months, UV lamps should be changed (even if the light is not burned out). A heat lamp should also be given for basking since most UVB lamps don’t create much heat. In the night, your bearded dragon does not need any form of light.
Instead of helping them sleep better, supplying them with these would cause them to wake up cranky and sleep-deprived.
Using An Ordinary Light Bulb As A Basking Light
Bearded dragon basking lights may undoubtedly be made from ordinary light bulbs. One of the cheapest and most accessible parts of a bearded dragon arrangement is this component. Just make sure that the bulb is white.
Depending on the size of the tank, a halogen bulb with a wattage of 40 to 100 watts is what you’ll need. Both 60W and 75W halogen lamps may work well too. It is recommended that you keep the lights on for a bearded dragon for a minimum of 12-14 hours a day. This mimics their native habitat the best.
At least 8 hours of light should be turned on throughout the winter months, but no more than ten is recommended.
Approximately an hour before feeding, turn on your bearded dragon’s lights and keep them on for at least an additional hour after that. Their hunger will be piqued, and they’ll be better able to absorb calcium and vitamins you’ve sprinkled on their food, as a result of doing this.
Conclusion
We have discussed in this content that how important a basking bulb is for the survival of your pet reptiles, especially for the survival of a bearded dragon. We review some of our suggested best basking bulbs for bearded dragons. We learned, what are the things you should consider before buying a basking bulb for your pet.
We discussed how to set up a basking bulb for a bearded dragon. We told you that by using a basking bulb for your pet you’ll ensure the survival and long life of your pet and that way you’ll be the overall winner.
So we can conclude that the use of a basking bulb for your bearded dragon is very crucial and you should always use one for your pet for their long life.
