Before you bring your new pet bearded dragon home, you need to have their enclosure set up with the proper heat source. But what kind of heat bulb should you get for a 40-gallon tank?
There are two main types of heat bulbs: infrared and ceramic. Infrared bulbs emit invisible light that beardies can’t see, but they can feel the warmth. Ceramic bulbs give off visible light as well as heat, making them ideal for basking spots.
So which one should you get for your 40-gallon tank?
Ideally, you’ll want to get both! That way, your bearded dragon can thermoregulate by moving between the warm basking spot and the cooler areas of the tank.
As for wattage, a 40-gallon tank will need a 60-watt infrared bulb and a 100-watt ceramic bulb. The basking spot should be around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while the rest of the tank should be between 75 and 80 degrees.
Bearded dragons need 12 hours of light per day, so it’s important to get a timer for your heat bulbs. That way, you can make sure your lizard gets enough heat during the day, but can also enjoy a little darkness at night.
Most importantly, make sure to mount your heat bulbs securely so they don’t fall and break inside the tank! Depending on the type of bulb, you may need a special clamp or socket to keep it in place.
With the right heat setup, your bearded dragon will be happy and healthy in their new home.
What Watt Heat Bulb Do You Need For A Bearded Dragon In A 40 Gallon Tank?
Contents
- What Watt Heat Bulb Do You Need For A Bearded Dragon In A 40 Gallon Tank?
- What Color Bulb Should You Use?
- Do Bearded Dragons Need Nighttime Heating?
- How Should You Set Up The Heat Bulb For A Bearded Dragon?
When it comes to choosing the perfect basking bulb for your beloved bearded dragon, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. First and foremost, you need to consider the size of their enclosure. For a 40-gallon size enclosure, a white 100-watt basking bulb is the way to go. Not only will this keep your bearded dragon warm, but it will also help to regulate the temperature in their environment. In addition, a ceramic heat emitter should be used at night if the temperature in their enclosure falls below 70° degrees Fahrenheit (21° C).
Now, you may be thinking that 100 watts is a lot of power for such a small creature, but trust us, it’s necessary. The exact wattage will depend on how you mount the lamp, how far away it is from the tank floor and your home’s average temperature. For example, if your house is relatively warm and the pen isn’t very tall, you may potentially even use a 60 or 70-watt bulb. But generally speaking, 100 watts is a fair estimate.
Of course, if you find that your Beardie is getting too hot, you can always adjust the way you have mounted the bulb and move it further away. But we suggest starting with 100 watts and then making adjustments as needed.
When it comes to bearded dragon care, temperature is key! These lizards like it hot, with a basking area around 90 to 95° degrees Fahrenheit (35° C). The cool side of the tank should be about 80 to 85° degrees Fahrenheit (29° C). White basking bulbs are best because they emit a concentrated amount of heat and light in one spot, while also giving off enough extra heat to warm the rest of the tank.
What Color Bulb Should You Use?
When it comes to choosing the right basking bulb for your beloved beardie, always go with white! Not only does this best imitate the natural sunlight they love and are used to in their native habitats, but it’s also the least intrusive and most natural-looking option available.
And trust me, you don’t want to upset your bearded dragon’s sleep cycles or hurt their eyes with red or blue bulbs – even if they’re just for nighttime purposes. Besides, you probably won’t need much (or any) nighttime heating anyway. So save yourself the hassle and go with white!
Do Bearded Dragons Need Nighttime Heating?
If you’re like most people, you like to keep your home at a comfortable temperature of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. But did you know that this is the perfect temperature for desert-dwelling lizards? That’s right, your beardie won’t need any night heating at this temperature! So if you find your home dipping below 65 degrees at night, just purchase a ceramic heat emitter to provide a small amount of gentle heat for your lizard.
You’ll want to avoid a heat bulb, though, as the excess lighting at night will upset your lizard’s daily sleep schedule. Ceramic heat emitters are excellent for keeping your beardie warm at night because they give off a tiny bit of heat without producing bright lighting.
If you’re looking for a way to heat your lizard at night, look no further than the ceramic heating element! This trusty device is perfect for giving off small amounts of heat, exactly what your lizard needs to keep cozy at night. You’ll need a separate hood for your ceramic heating element, so be sure to purchase two of the hoods we mentioned in the previous section. And as always, be sure the hood is designed to handle the wattage of the heat of the bulb or heat emitter you plan on putting inside it.
Heat rocks and heat pads are also available, but most experienced reptile enthusiasts and veterinarians recommend avoiding them because they often cause burns due to uneven heating. So if you’re looking for the best supplemental heat source for nighttime, go with a ceramic heat emitter!
How Should You Set Up The Heat Bulb For A Bearded Dragon?
For most basking bulbs, it is OK to screw it into a hood and place the hood directly on top of the tank’s screen. Most 40-gallon bearded dragon enclosures have a durable screen lid explicitly designed for bearded dragon owners to put the bulb up against the screen.
However, if you don’t like this option or if you don’t have a screen-type enclosure, hang it above the tank with a mounted hook. Many reptile owners prefer this kind of setup as it looks great, and you won’t have to bother with the lamp every time you open the enclosure. Finding the perfect distance to mount the lamp at first is somewhat tricky, but you will be able to easily adjust it until you find what works best for you. A third option would be to mount the lamp inside the enclosure, but this is tricky and even impossible for some people.
So, there you have it! Three great options for mounting your basking bulb. Be sure to pick the option that best suits your needs and your reptile’s individual preferences.
Final Thoughts
Basking bulbs are very important for bearded dragons, as they help provide the necessary heat and light needed for them to thrive. The wattage of the bulb you choose will depend on a few factors, such as the size of your enclosure and how you have the bulb mounted. Generally speaking, a white 100-watt basking bulb should be sufficient for most tanks.
However, if you find that your dragon is not getting enough heat, you may need to increase the wattage of the bulb or use a different type of light altogether. No lighting is needed for nighttime, though some setups use ceramic heat emitters to keep the tank from dipping below the threshold at night if you need to. Always maintain the proper temperature within the appropriate range at all times to keep your beloved beardie healthy and their body temperature nice and warm.