To keep your bearded dragon healthy in captivity, you’ll need specific equipment for heating, lighting, housing, and bedding, among others. One of the most crucial elements for the enclosure is knowing what basking light for bearded dragon is needed? The wattage in a basking bulb can make a big difference in a small enclosure.
Good lighting and the correct light bulb for a bearded dragon are relatively easy to set up. In fact, most of the necessary items can be purchased in hardware stores or ordered online through Amazon. The lighting guide below will cover what watt light bulb is suitable for a bearded dragon.
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Is A Basking Bulb Important For Bearded Dragons?
Yes, basking bulbs are essential for the health and well-being of a bearded dragon; without them, they would get sick and possibly die.
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded animals that get their heat from exterior sources. In the wild, bearded dragons would bask in the san or on a rock early in the morning before the sun got too hot. In other words, to maintain an optimal body temperature, bearded dragons will need some heat source in their enclosures.
If bearded dragons did not have access to a heating source like a basking bulb with the correct wattage, they would get sick and eventually die. In addition, without the optimal temperature in an enclosure, these pet lizards would not be able to eat or digest their food correctly. Imagine a scenario where you prepare carrots, leafy greens or tomatoes for your bearded dragon and then they can’t digest the food.
A combination of a good UVB light and a basking bulb will help keep your beardie healthy.
What Is The Correct Wattage Basking Bulb For A Bearded Dragon?
Different basking bulbs have a variety of wattages or power outputs. The wattages range from the low 40 watts (40W) to 150 watts (150W). We can focus on two prime factors to figure out the correct setup for your beardie.
- The approximate distance between the bearded dragon and the basking bulb.
- Tank size
A 75W bulb is a general recommendation for most bearded dragon enclosures. 75 Watts is usually enough to reach the optimal basking temperature.
When setting up the basking light, you’ll need to correctly adjust the bulbs higher in the enclosure. A 75W bulb will generally work for most enclosures and most heights; however, if the bearded dragon’s tank is 120 gallons or larger, then you might need a stronger basking bulb.
What to Look For When Checking On What Basking Light For Bearded Dragon?
When trying to find a good basking bulb, you should look for the correct wattage for the setup, durability of the bulb, and how easy it is to place in the bearded dragon tank.
A good basking bulb will need to fulfill one easy job, which is providing a steady supply of heat for your bearded dragon. The easiest way to choose the correct watt light bulb is to look for good quality and solid reviews to back it up.
What Is The Correct Wattage For Your Setup?
For most owners, a 75 Watt bulb will be enough for most bearded dragon setups. But, of course, if your tank is bigger than 120 gallons, you can always choose a bulb with a higher wattage.
For most bearded dragon setups, 75 watts will be enough. Anything lower might be too weak to affect the enclosure temperature significantly.
So don’t head to the hardware store and pick up a 25W or 50W because it won’t be strong enough.
Make Sure To Get Standard Fixing When Buying a Basking Light
Most owners tend to focus on the basking light’s size or wattage and skip over the socket’s size or fixing. However, it is important to remember that not all basking bulbs will correctly screw into the base of the holder lamp due to a size difference.
Generally, a lightbulb meant for reptiles will have a standard E26 or E26 socket size. So, double-check the bulb size your lamp needs to make sure the basking bulb will screw on correctly.
Bearded Dragon Basking Bulb Durability
When you purchase a basking bulb, you want to pick something that will be durable. Basking light bulbs are usually switched on for around 12 hours each day. Having them on for many hours will cause your bulbs to burn out quicker. Most bulbs aren’t meant to be switched on for more than 5 or 6 hours at a time, so understand that you’ll end up going through several light bulbs for your bearded dragon.
As you might expect, less expensive basking bulbs will tend to burn out much quicker than the costlier bulbs. As a result, you most likely go through 3 or 4 less expensive basking bulbs while you’d go through a more expensive one. Weighing your options and budget is essential because nobody wants to end up overpaying for something you’ll have to buy several times each year.
In my experience, it is always more cost-effective to go for a better quality item and change the light bulb fewer times. Then, if they come faulty, the more expensive basking bulbs will have a better money back or product replacement policy.
So go for the better product to avoid the hassle of cheap items that might break down sooner. You’ll have some peace of mind you did the right thing, and your bearded dragon will thank you for it with good health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Light Bulb Watt For Bearded Dragon
There are always additional questions about caring for your bearded dragon, along with wanting to know about the best equipment to keep your beardies healthy. Below we’ll go over a few common questions.
What Should I Do If The Basking Bulb Burns Out?
Below is a quick list of steps to take when your bearded dragon’s basking bulb burns out, and you need a replacement.
- Always have spare bulbs available (Duh!).
- Try to purchase a ceramic heat emitter as an additional heating source.
- Get a heat mat for your bearded dragon.
- Use skin-to-skin contact to keep your bearded dragon warm until you can change the basking lightbulb.
What If There Is A Power Outage?
Power outages are something we most likely won’t be able to prevent if they ever happen. Outages can be a hazard for your bearded dragon, even for a short time. Remember, they need a basking light and a UVB to stay in optimal conditions.
If a power outage occurs, you’ll be left with no other option than skin-to-skin contact to keep your bearded dragon warm enough.
What Is The Correct Temperature For A Basking Spot For A Bearded Dragon?
The correct basking temperature for a young bearded dragon is 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit. For an adult dragon, the temperature should be between 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit Remember that the enclosure will also need a cooler spot where your bearded dragon can take a break from the basking bulbs’ heat. The shaded and cooler area of the bearded dragon tank should be around 20 degrees Fahrenheit less than what the basking area is set to.
Can I Use a Regular Light Bulb As A Basking Bulb For My Bearded Dragon?
Yes. You can use a regular light bulb you bought at a hardware stop as a basking bulb. You will need to ensure the light bulb’s wattage is appropriate for your bearded dragon’s tank; you’ll also need to double-check it fits in the lamp.
Conclusion
The correct watt (or wattage) light bulb for your bearded dragon should be 75W unless your tank is larger than 120 gallons. In that case, you’ll need something more powerful to keep the correct temperature in the tank. Try to use a good quality basking light bulb and check the sizing or fixing is correct before you finalize the purchase.
