How to Choose the Best basking light for bearded dragon (For a Happy Habitat)

Finding the best basking light for bearded dragon is like finding a needle in a haystack and trust me, I am not exaggerating! There are thousands of lights out there and you cannot know which one will deliver value for money until you try it and invest a couple of bucks and several hours in trial and error.

So if you are ready to save a lot of your money and time and hit the bullseye on your first try then stick to this guide till the end:

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How do I know if my beardy dragon is happy?

There are a few signs that you can look for to find out of your bearded buddy is content with his life or needs some changes in routine, have a look at a few of them below:

• Frequent Basking: This is the major sign that you can spot instantly and know if the bearded fella is happy. Since bearded dragons need to absorb the UVB rays of sun and heat, your bearded dragon will stand under the bearded dragon heat bulb frequently and for longer periods if he’s happy. However, if there’s something wrong with him or something’s stressing him out, he won’t bask as much even if you get the Repti Basking Spot Lamp.
  
  
• Cuddling: Normally, bearded dragons don’t just go ahead and press against people; it’s against their natural behavior. However, when your bearded guy starts doing it with you, it is a sign that he is comfortable with you. If the dragon is scared of you, he won’t do this instead, he would maintain a distance, this is also a sign that he might be stressed or uncomfortable.
  
  
• Stress Signs: If your bearded dragon is not happy or is stressed, you will see him running, waving his arm, freezing, puffing, or hissing frequently. These are signs that the beardy fella is stressed or something is bothering him.

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Do bearded dragons need basking light at night?

The answer of this question depends on the heat insulation of your home. If your house is warm enough for the beardy even at night, then you might not need a bearded dragon heat lamp.

However, if the temperature of your house drops below 65F, you need to supply heat.

The bearded dragon enjoys a temperature of 95F during the day, but when it’s night, you need to maintain above 65F. A good bearded dragon heat bulb with low light or a ceramic heater can help you with this.

How many watts my basking bulb for bearded dragon lighting at night should Be?

Your bearded dragon needs to bask and absorb heat because that’s what he likes more than anything. However, if you over or under heat things, the poor fella won’t enjoy his only favorite activity.

So, to get the light quantity and temps just right, we suggest that you get a 100watt bulb for a single 40 gallon tank. The guy needs near to 95F during the day and 65F during the night to comfortably lay flat under the bulb with his beach shades on!

Major Considerations for Picking the Best bearded Dragon Lighting Kit

To get the best basking light for bearded dragon, you need to look for four main things that we have discussed below:

• Lighting Type: You will come across several types of lights ranging from mercury to infrared basking spot bearded dragon bulbs. We suggest that you get the ones that provide a full spectrum of light including the most essential UVB and UVA that the beardy absorbs. Plus, they should produce adequate heat.
  

• Heat: Stemming from the last point, the best basking light for bearded dragon is the one that produces sufficient amount of heat as the little guy needs his dose of daily heat. By choosing the lamp that produces heat as well, you will save a couple of bucks that you would’ve spent on a heater.
  
  
• Intensity and Spectrum: The light needs to have both UVB and UVA because like plants, bearded dragons and many reptiles need different rays from the sunlight to grow healthy. So having these two essential rays in your light will keep your pet healthy.
  
  
• Fixture Type: You can install some bulbs using regular fixtures, however, some require special fixtures to stay in place. Make sure to get the light that not only produces sufficient heat and both UVA and UVB rays, but is also easy for you to install; perhaps in your existing fixtures.

Bearded dragon lighting setup:

So there are around five things that you need for a complete bearded dragon lighting and tank setup. So let’s have a detailed look at them below:

• The Tank: There are different types of tanks that you can get for your bearded buddies such as glass aquariums, melamine cages, vision cages, ABS cages, and PVC cages. The most popular ones are glass cages as they are inexpensive, and allow you to keep an eye on the fella. As for the size of the tank, a baby dragon needs a 20-gallon tank, adults need a 40-gallon tank, and if it’s 16-20 inches large then it needs a 50-75 gallon tank.
  
  
• Tank Cover: To prevent the little fella from escaping the tank, you need a lid cover. We suggest avoiding any plastic, glass, or other solid covers as they can restrict the flow of air. Plus, glass and plastic covers can increase the humidity inside the tank which is harmful to the dragon. We suggest that you use a screen cover that is strong enough to support the lamp’s weight and can also withstand the heat.
  
  
• Light and Heat: The bearded dragons need 12-14 hours of lighting every day as they live in the hot deserts of Australia. So to replicate the environment, you need full-spectrum lights that offer UVA and UVB rays. Furthermore, the light needs to have heating capabilities so you don’t have to spend more money on getting a separate heater.
  
  
• Bedding at Tank: You will also need to provide your beardy fella with some flooring and be especially cautious when getting it for a young dragon. This is because when eating the insects from the floor, he might get chunks of flooring in his system too. So getting a reptile carpet is recommended as it’s safer and doesn’t tear easily. However, if you’re a little tight on budget, you can go for paper towels, newspaper, or butcher paper as well. Just don’t use sand or wood chip that can damage the mouth or stomach.
  
  
• Aesthetic Accessories: You can also get some decorative pieces for the cage like a good background, some showpieces of rocks and trees, etc. Furthermore, you can install hammocks for your beardy to get some rest on and a reptile hide where he can go and lay down for a while when he wants to be alone.

Best blue night light for bearded dragon:

If you are hunting for some of the best blue night light for your bearded dragon then you don’t have to make any effort; we have done the groundwork for you. Just have a look at the list of top ones below and buy the one you like:

Recommended UVB light for bearded dragon:

As you know, the beta ultraviolet or UVB lights are an essential source of energy for bearded dragons. You need a light that delivers these rays in ample amounts so your little cliffhanger can stay healthy and active. We have suggested some of the best bearded dragon UVB lights below:

Red night light for bearded dragon:

Want to provide ample amount of heat to your dino friend during the night? Well then look no further than these red night lights for bearded dragon that we have suggested below:

DIY bearded dragon lighting:

Do you know that you need to be very careful about the lighting for your bearded dragon or else, he might not be able to properly absorb it or even bask correctly?

Well to help you set up the light source for your bearded dragon correctly, we have added a video below, make sure to watch it till the end:

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Bearded dragon lighting guide (FAQ)

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How long should basking light be on for bearded dragon?

Your bearded friend needs to be under the light for 12 to 14 hours every single day. During the day, the surface needs to be heated to 95F to 110F and at night, the temperatures need to be maintained above 65F.

Can I use a regular bulb for a basking light?

Yes you can use the regular bulb that emits enough amount of heat for the dragon to enjoy. However, the problem is that regular bulbs are not full spectrum so they won’t emit UVA and UVB rays that the bearded dragons need to stay healthy.

How far should basking light be from bearded dragon?

When you are mounting the basking light, keep it 12-14 inches away from the bearded dragon’s basking spot for proper light and heat transfer and absorption.

Can bearded dragons use red heat lamps?

There are many reasons for not using a red heat lamp for bearded dragon. Firstly, beardy guys can see the red light clearly, which makes it hard for them to relax at night. Secondly, the red bulb doesn’t emit UV rays which is a big bummer too. So we suggest that you avoid a red light, especially at night time.

Conclusion:

A full spectrum light coupled with a heater is a must if you want to provide your bearded friend with a good and healthy environment. Bearded dragons love to bask and absorb UV rays and that is exactly the reason why people buy the best basking light for bearded dragon. We have suggested some of the top ones in this guide so you don’t have to spend countless hours and a lot of money in trial and error; be sure to check them out!

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Last update on 2023-12-03 at 00:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API