Proper Lighting for Bearded Dragons

[@FluidoftheDruids]

I've been researching what to get for a while as a first time dragon/reptile owner, and this video REALLY helped me understand how to select and configure the lighting. THANK YOU! This is what has been making me the most nervous about getting a new little guy, and I'm feeling SO MUCH MORE confident now!

[@sarahjo80]

Elle, you're my favorite reptilist! I just stopped COLD to notice your pokemon tshirt! You're working your way up to being my favorite person OVERALL!

[@PhoenixGrace-ey8fc]

This was so helpful AHHHHH. I just got a huge shock and adopted a five year old adult and i have no idea what I'm doing. I feel much more comfortable now thanks!!

[@JosuesExotics]

I didn’t know they had a swamp basking light! I’m totally getting one of those now! Thanks 🙏!

[@jamiegano6400]

Me too!!

[@dune1420]

🐦🐔🐥🐓🐤🐥🐓🦘🐼🐻🐼🐻🐼🦘🐔🍒🍈🍓🍏🥕🍏🍏🍆🍆🫑🥔🥥🍆🥥🫐🥥🫐🫒🥕

[@PULAG]

I wait to turn on green lights for 25 sec, too!

[@hollyjoseph1613]

just something to add that goes with the lamp fixtures with dimmers, you can also purchase the zilla digital temperature controller. you can plug the heat bulbs into it & set it to a basking temp. it has a probe to put by the basking area & when it reaches the basking temp the lights will shut off so it doesn't get too hot & they will turn back on once it has cooled off some! i have one of these for both of my dragons & i am obsessed!

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

There are so many videos about this and YET people still get it wrong...proves how important this kind of information is! Very clear and precise video really good for newbies 😊

[@kimkosyjana9511]

I think some pet store employees should watch this lol

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

Kim Kosyjana I 100% agree. Its not even that hard!

[@BigFunkyy]

Funny you say this, because this video is still also wrong.

[@avasbestchannel4403]

This has been very helpful. I had the dome UV light because that’s what Petco told me to get. Thank you so much! I thought I needed that night as well. I think I’ve spend more money than I needed too. My son begged for this pet and I’ve been working hard to make sure I’m doing everything right!

[@ellesreptiles]

I'm so glad I could help! Unfortunately, many times, unnecessary items are sold with beardies, but it's awesome that you're doing the research 😊

[@sarabispride307]

Thank You Elle... I am a fairly new beardie owner... I have two babies... They are about 3 months old i believe. I am constantly worried i am doing something wrong.

[@ellesreptiles]

I know that feeling ♥️ congrats on the beardies! 🎉

[@trillatrey4285]

@@ellesreptiles hey elle so I didn’t use soap but I used apple cider vinegar with the mother probably like a tiny bit in my bearded dragons bath water to clean him did I mess up big time or no pls tell me I didn’t

[@lemonlizard1]

@@trillatrey4285 no, you didn't mess up terribly but it is not a good idea to do that again. Look into and research safe ways to sanitize beardies on the internet and check multiple sources

[@Tony-su5du]

Me too

[@madamlemongrab1619]

@@ellesreptiles can they go blind if they look at the light???

[@staceyhamrick5682]

Thank you so much for this! I never comment on KZbin videos but I had to for this one. I got a new little guy and the Facebook group I’m in is super critical of EVERYone. It makes me nervous to ask. Your video made me feel confident! Thank you!

[@jadewilliams4001]

Hi I just got my baby Mushu 4 days ago. I bought him/her from pet smart I didn’t know much but I’m learning so much from you. They didn’t even tell me about the uvb lights they told me everything I needed was in the kit I was so mad. But overall he/she have been doing amazing. Loves being held & love the superworms. Don’t like greens much 😂 but thank you for your videos ❤️

[@TheOtomeBug]

Lighting can be so confusing. Glade you broke it down like this for new people. And I would love if your husband did Wednesday videos.

[@Ash_saunders]

Thank you so much for making this video, I have had my beardies for about a year and I've been using a red lights for them at night,but now that i watch this video they can sleep better now! Thank you I think I owe you big time!

[@ElLenadorLA]

Great light recommendations! Only critique is UV across the tank. Too much UV is a thing, and in nature their cue to get out of 3/4/5 UVI is that they’ve warmed up. If they leave the basking area and continue getting those same basking UVI levels they have no cue to hide from them which can lead to over exposure diseases.

[@Tom-vg5nb]

Elle. So I watched this video and did some research. I recently bought a little beardie. The temps were good but the lizard was pretty lethargic. I decided to go to a t5 uvb/uva build of 22 inches. The same day I put it in, with in a few hours the lizard was running all over the cage. It is now doing a full body shed. So thanks for the tips.

[@ellesreptiles]

Awesome! That makes me so happy that your beardie is doing better ♥️

[@infinitevibes007]

I love my bearded dragon, I’ll get him anything

[@vincentcastor5978]

Love the Dim Switch idea. Brilliant!

[@eringood7579]

Thanks!! Very helpful! I recently came into two adult bearded from a friend who had to move away suddenly. Trying to do right by these little guys, but there's so much to learn suddenly. Thanks for a thorough explanation! 👍👍

[@TroubledEmpath]

I just got a baby dragon and this helped a lot! Lights are so confusing!

[@red7skatergirl]

3rd time watching this video and taking notes with pen and paper. cant wait to get my beardie thank you Elle!

[@Elijah-ic2xf]

Thank you so much for this! I'm getting my first beardie in May, and this was so helpful. I've only had lepord geckos, so I want to make sure I'm super prepared and know what to buy. Thank you!

[@kraykray5144]

Thank you Ellie for sharing your information about bearded dragons. I’ve had Hercules for 2 weeks now and he’s 2 years old and I didn’t know anything about bearded dragons other than what the lady told me that I purchased him from. Thank God I did my own research and found your channel on utube, because this lady was wrong about so many things she told me on how to care, feed, bathe, him. Thank you for sharing your information with us.

[@kimberlygardner8392]

All different kinds of DIY making things that go into their enclosure, making baby racks, backgrounds, all different kinds would be great and thank you

[@noemilynch6891]

Thank you for this. My biggest issue is worrying about putting the UVB too close. He spends most of his time on the basking spot and we're afraid the light would be too close. But the temp gun is on the way!

[@buffalojoe78]

One of the biggest things I can say is if you get a dome fixture make sure that it has a ceramic base. If you don’t then the possibility of melting or fires go up.

[@yasmanharrison2251]

Thanks for your videos. There are really helpful. I just got my first bearded dragon on Thursday. I also very new to your Channel. I love all the videos I see so far!!

[@titocamacho69]

I just bought a dragon since December and so far so good.

[@fayestiffler2711]

Quick Question: Do they need a separate sides of the tank dedicated to basking and heating? I'm just confused as to how to make sure they're getting proper heating throughout the whole tank. Thank you!

[@uwuasaur6734]

This is EXACTLY the information I needed. Thank you so much!

[@ellesreptiles]

Glad I could help! 😊

[@Amber.M89]

Should I turn off both lights at night for my dragon or leave on the heating one?

[@alanprado1049]

Can you show how you mounted you UV inside the tank and what used? Thank you

[@ZDPQC]

I know this video is old now, but I love the shirt! I think it s a safe correlation Pokemon lovers are also usually a wide variety of animal lovers too. Thanks for the vids helped me and my wife out a lot with our new beardy!

[@helinut600]

You can get an Arduino uvc sensor for $20, I have mine on a esp8266 running a website that has all of the temperature settings and charts shorwing lamp output power, temperature and humidity for hot mid and cold sides as well as uvc output in the middle. Total cost around $125 and now that I have a raspberry pi cammera in the cage so my daughter can check on here while away i can access the graphs and settings from anywhere.

[@LucaDettman-Culos]

Thanks for the video! Could you link the long uv light link?

[@itreallyisntpersonalb1960]

Thanks for all you do. Can you answer these questions, I have a 36 gal long using a dime fixture currently my room is at 70 degrees, in tank the temptations ranges in areas of 104, 97- 99. what would be the appropriate bulb? Next when will you do a video on bulging eyes of beardie? It scared me when I saw this and found very like info on it. Can u post?

[@michelleallen5581]

Hi Elle! I love your videos, so very informative. We're getting ready for our first baby bearded dragon and am wondering if you have any videos on how to care for dubia roaches and other feeder insects? Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@jesslee5365]

your not alone on that. I buy my beardie crickets and then there gone, and I heard its bad to leave the bugs in the cage with the beardie so I have quite the trouble.

[@LowkeyLokee]

Swamp basking bulb?!?!?!? Why call it that they should’ve called it Shrek basking bulb 😎 😂

[@4mankind]

Old video new beardy dad. We have a 150 w bulb with a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank. I'm finding the basking spot is reaching 50 degrees Celsius. Thermostat set at 38. I've moved probe off to side and right under spot....any advice?

[@lastblueknight]

How long do you have your lights on for the day? Specifically which ones for how long? In one of the other comments someone mentioned a color changing LED strip kind of for decoration for there tank. You mentioned the red light being harmful with the red light from the LED lights be bad for the dragons and what color light could you use if you wanted to do that? Like maybe a couple of hours like a night light or something?

[@kodiacbear3771]

I learned allot and am gonna go get a long tube uv light tomorrow. I’ve got a dual light fixture that I’m using 1 heat bulb and 1 uv bulb.

[@keithn4395]

I wish my daughter had a friend like you

[@ellesreptiles]

Awww 🥰

[@nice-qm5jc]

seeing this comment made my day, idk why haha

[@Isabel-ct3wd]

Elle I have a question. My bearded dragon always wants to go back to his tank when I take him out. But I want to bond with him some more and I also watched this one KZbin video. This guy said that if a bearded dragon wants to go back in its tank don’t put it back because every time you put them back their going to expect you to do that every time (because bearded dragon are very smart) . But Lizardguru says that you need to know what they want like if their beard is black and their tail is flickering they are angry and upset. But I don’t know what to do and I want to be close with my beardie. And when I take him out and hold him while I’m on my bed he jump and poop on my bed so I would have to put him back and he always poops so I can put him back. I don’t know if you will read this or answer but thank you.

[@kimkosyjana9511]

Hey! New beardie mom and new sub. We bought a starter kit that came with hood fixture and a uvb coil bulb. Everyone said tube lighting is crucial. How long can my beardie deal with the coil until I can spend another 60 bucks or so for a new fixture and tube bulb? I'm worried he will die, but he is eating, pooping, playing and shedding just fine!

[@kimkosyjana9511]

We also got an additional uvb bulb light to put in his dual bulb fixture to extend it. I also take him outside for 20 min a day to get natural sunlight

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

Tube lighting is important simply because it gives more of an even amount of UVB, it makes sure your beardie doesn’t develop MBD. I wouldn’t use a coil light for a long time (months) but a few weeks should be okay? Not sure how long it will take you to save up, but I wouldn’t wait long especially if your beardie is young or a baby. Its good that you bought another light though! Good luck 👍🏼

[@kristopherwillis8075]

Elle your a woman of culture for wearing that tshirt 👨🏿‍💻👍🏿 water type pokemon is my favorite

[@ellesreptiles]

🤣 well thank you. Not on the shirt, but Umbreon is my favorite ♥️

[@loispadgett6306]

Love this one on lighting so many people don't understand about it. Can't wait for DIY on Wednesday's. Will have to think on things he can do. GOD BLESS and have a great week.

[@FeebsTarantulas]

Hiya! I love your videos! I'm just confused how come you don't insist people use a thermostat? It's really important to use them for any heat source xx

[@ashphodeldimixtry26]

I have a mesh top, and my fixture is too long to fit into the tank to mount it on the inside, so I’m going to cut a small hole in the mesh and that should work fine I think

[@laurasalas2370]

My tank for my bearded dragon is the zen habitat 100w swamp basking spot work for that tank setup

[@rexthebeardie6634]

Thanks so much, this helped a lot. I’m getting a an Arcadia heat bulb

[@djdagher7686]

Omg Elle I love your videos , you have helped me so much! I have two bearded baby’s bought in pet smart, or you could say rescued from there, they where sick now I’m giving them food by mouth smoothies with all and took them to the vet and now I’m deworming them. But the fact that the red light doesn’t work during the day time is amazing I was using this plus uvb but a coil one - now I’m getting like the coil but plain ones and two I have ; and I changed for the original basking ceramic 100w , the 3 inside the reflective domes covering the whole tank area so they can enjoy the area and feel free to have uvb even in the cold area, is that ok - thank you for your help it would be amazing to have that solved out thanks for your knowledge your so wise 🙏🏻

[@lunarminx]

Taking silk plant picks and showing how to make a based that will last for them. I tried it, they looked great but they base started to fall apart.

[@TedMattos]

Thanks for this, Elle! :) I'm wondering what your take is on dimmable thermostats? Or do you happen to have a video on them? :) Thanks again!

[@nightinggale6470]

Heat lamps should ideally be hooked up to a dimmer or dimming thermostat to regulate the temperature.

[@Bunny-cu3ei]

I love this! Very informative I’ve been searching for this for far too long. Great timing thank you Elle! 😘

[@jjordy02]

Hi Elle, I noticed that your uvb linear tube stretches the entire length of your enclosure. Mine also do, as well, in that I have TWO 22” Arcadia 12% on either side. I’ve been reading all over the place that too much UVB can be very harmful to bearded dragons. What are your thoughts on this? Have you also heard this (and just for clarification, they are turned off at night for 12 hours)

[@Avocetexotics]

Could you use the zilla uvb florescent desert t8 bulb? I saw a lot of people recommend them but I didn't know if they were good to use.

[@smilinJack281]

Thank you for the informative videos ! Should the basking light and uvb be set to mimic sunrise and sunset and fluctuate during the seasons ? Peace !

[@maryjanesnyder8561]

My granddaughter just got a baby. Could you please talk about what kind of veggies they eat?

[@nightinggale6470]

Collard greens, mustard greens, cilantro, squash, dandelion greens, rocket, turnip greens, etc. are healthy for their main diet.

[@samufrog9304]

Husbandry to another level

[@alphaoffxcial]

Love the Pokémon shirt

[@genesisISjustgeneis]

How much wats for the uv zoomed tube

[@stephanieartis83]

Hi Elle!! I was wondering where you got the metal bracket for your uvb and how did you install them. I would really like to do this for my beardie

[@Mayliz-ht6zl]

Following!!!!!

[@oliveistired_1]

Is 75 watts for the basking and uv light lamp for 25 gallons okay? I have no idea and I don’t wanna be wrong about the lighting for my beardie 😭

[@VincentStevenStudio]

For heating I've found that pet store or "reptile" bulbs are a scam. They dont last long and you can get the same heating with equal wattage incandescent bulbs from the hardware store which cost less and last longer. Have done so for my turtles for years now since the pet store bulbs kept burning out within a week or breaking. Any light provides UVA. Plus, the UVB bulb is already emitting UVA and UVB. The only lighting that should be bought from the pet store is UVB.

[@apetloverslife5799]

I just love beardies 🥰🥰 there just so chubby and cute 😊

[@genesisISjustgeneis]

Yoo if I have the combo light for my beared dragon o I need another light on the other side!

[@jesslee5365]

what if the light causes the top of the cage to melt? it happened to me so we moved around and I did some research and this is pretty close to answering my question but just this one. Also thank you a lot for this Marshy (my beardie) thanks you

[@stevenolove]

What about a uv coil bulb in the middle of the tank in a glow light dome?

[@ShesThe1yup]

I just wana know how many months til I replace my red basking bulb and how long til I replace my fluro uv (stick looking) bulb?

[@pintsize_27]

Love your beardie and love your tee! 😃

[@fishsoft92]

Stupid question. Are the uva and heat bulbs one in the same? Or do I need separate bulbs? I have the dual fixture that comes with the turtle starter kit from zoomed, and I’m adjusting for putting the baby beardie we just got into their old tank.

[@ellesreptiles]

Not a stupid question! 😊 So bearded dragons need UVA and UVB, which is separate from the heat bulb. They need linear UVA/UVB lighting though, that's the tube light bulb that spans the length of the tank. I recommend either Reptisun or Arcadia brands, as they both put off adequate UV lighting for beardies - other brands not so much. I always link products I talk about in my video descriptions as well, so that may also be helpful for you 😊

[@jessicavalentine1344]

I need help. I'm getting a 68 gallon tank tomorrow wood sides and plexiglass the fixtures are built in, what wattage bulbs do I need. Also 3 fixtures in it one is meant for uvb but I'm not using the coil kind. Thanks

[@davecasellas9988]

Hi Elle can you share with me the metal clamps you used to mount your uvb inside your tank?

[@mtlegend09]

Love the t-shirt!! 🦎❤️😎

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you 😊

[@OfficialCPProduction]

I was told that dubia roaches had to be in moderation due to being so high in nutrients. Is that true? I am new to owning them so I am learning and it has been stressful.

[@knightsofthewicked9121]

Mine just reached juvenile and I need to know what’s the best bulb for it? Do I also need a heat rock in my enclosure?

[@ShannonGreen]

So happy to see you on the United States of KZbin! #youtubeimpact

[@nicoleschulz6062]

Where did you get the brackets for your bar light to mount it inside the tank?

[@dbell9389]

12%?!?! PetSmart sold me one with 7%! It's been a month since I've had it. It is also inside of the enclosure. Do you think it has damage my lizard?

[@yanniewilliams]

I have a new habitat I bought for my dragon from Amazon. It has built in light fixtures. I have had Mushu for 2 n half mths. He's my first dragon!! I want to do right by him..I have the "sun " light in the right light socket. Uv light in middle and blue lite (nite lite) in left socket. Is this ok?? I'm 66 and want this guy to be healthy and grow old w me..he is 5 yrs old.

[@miashelburne]

I ordered a t5 ho 10.0 uvb reptisun light, with high output.. what is the closet measure it can be on the inside of my tank from my beardie.. i am currently building him a tank

[@Lewrane_]

who else thought that she was bleeding but realized it was a tattoo

[@cupcakesxrushful]

I’m going use Arcadia UVB light but the basking light is still on the to do list. Soooooo, what about Arcadia D3 evo? Can I use both? It’s 100w UA-A, UV-B & IR. It’s a heat/light for basking. Do you recommend or no? Cause you said too much will cause sunburn

[@Ueglqbroqvrj]

So, I'm hoping to get my first bearded dragon soon (actually, it's my first pet reptile!), and I have a spare 20 gallon tank that I'll be using for a few months, but I know that the beardie will outgrow it quickly. At Christmas my relatives usually send me money, so I'm hoping to upgrade to a 55 gallon, but for now would it be ok to get a coil uvb bulb? I don't want to spend a hundred dollars on a UVB fixture that I'll just have to replace after a few months. Advice?

[@wiliamarg]

4,2,2 feet tank.

[@joeyshofner639]

I've got a 6 inch Dragon and one seperate basking light and one UVB light that flickers. I'm getting no help from the person who gave me the dragon. So UVB lights are confusing. I don't know if I should replace the UVB light.

[@YvngDvggerDvck]

Hey I’m getting a new tank for my bearded. It’s going to be a 36 L x 24 W x 36 H. I’m going to have the bio dude sahara set up and long sticks in there so he can climb up towards the top. Do you think I need more then one basking lamp? Or do I need to install my lights inside the tank? I’m just worried about the extra height from the heat source and UVB

[@brendanvandermerwe6952]

I've just adopted a bearded dragon. I'm not sure how to handle him but have been doing alot of research. I'm still yet to pick him up thought. I do have 2 Kenyan Sand Boas but it's a first for me owning a bearded dragon. I think I'm more nervous of getting bit. He let's me stroke him behind his head and loves have his eyes stroked. He has quite a nice enclosure that came with a ceramic infrared light. Any tips on handling him. I'm not sure how often he was handled. For now he is eating meal worms. I have tried feeding him cooked pumpkin cut in small cubes and he didn't touch them. Should I be feeding him cockroaches and crickets.

[@adenabecker7301]

Are the led strips (The ones with the remote and change colors) bad for lizards?

[@amberpetermann3517]

Hi!! So I’m super new to reptiles. My husband said if I do research I can get a dragon. Here’s my question, I’m not sure it’s been covered in a video. Do we turn off all the lights during the night or just the UVB or the heat lamp as well?? Thanks in advance!!!

[@dakotasolomon3765]

All lights need to be turned off at night prolonged use of lights (even the red ones) causes damage to their eyes even the heat lamp needs to be turned off if the temp drops below 65 you can get a ceramic heat emitter to use at night they only produce heat and no light

[@mofl6689]

Sissss, IM STRESSED 😅 I just night my beardie today and am hoping and praying I’m doing the right thing. I have him a blue light for nighttime.. and a white uv and heat lamp for daytime. It all came with the kit... is the blue light ok?

[@aproblematicscorpio4945]

I've heard that kits aren't always reliable! I found that a 100 watt with a skinnier dome was liked better by my beardie, more than a larger dome. I hope this is helpful

[@aaliyahthayer7148]

Do you have your uv and basking bulb sitting against the top of your cage?

[@lynnetteannecochrane8223]

Hi there what light goes off first

[@alfonsoteran1993]

How many hours of Baskin light and uvb light?

[@DemonicMommy]

So I got questions cause sadly I lost my 6 month old bearded dragon today and I think it was cause of the temp and she had crickets and she started not to eat and stuff and the vet told me to give her lettuce and keep a eye on her but she passed. So I am buying alot of stuff before I get a new one. is there any kinda digital temp gage I can get to put in the tank to see the temp and I am gonna get the temp gun u recommend in this video. As well as I was wondering if I get mill worms if they would be a good substitute for the bearded dragon to eat

[@sir.alienson3376]

Wow, this video was so informative!!!!

[@mailmanx69]

I just ordered a 4x2x4 enclosure for my painted agama. I would like to re-use a 3-ft T5 HO UVB bulb that I already have. However, since the cage is tall and UVB dramatically decreases with distance, would it be a good idea to add a second 3-ft fixture with another T5HO UVB bulb?

[@KaylahsCozyCorner]

If I have a 10 gallon tank what wattage of UVB do I need or what you would recommend 😩

[@simple6838]

can high wattage flood lights be used for beardies?

[@leilanicruz503]

I have both uvb light and spot lamb together not separate I'm just hope if you would recommend for my breardie

[@josephlamb4637]

What temperature does the enclosure have be at night with the ceramic heat element. If I have 2 heating domes , one with a heat lamp and the other with a ceramic element, will it be ok to turn the light side off and leave just the ceramic one on at night. Trying to learn as much as I can before I get a beardie. Also would the beardie be ok in a heated basement, it stays like 5 to 10 degrees cooler down there. Don't know if that will be ok.

[@quinnblacklivesmatter]

Ung queen.... I love your unova pokemon shirt Also?!?! The knowledge and passion! Love your videos, about to binge them all Thank you for this video!! I'm still a beginner to reptiles but my cousin (age 8) wants a bearded dragon and I know they are a more intermediate to experienced / advanced keeping so im trying to have enough information to help his parents figure out if they can care for a bearded

[@grrrwah]

i got a baby beardie today, (8 weeks old) and hes pretty small. i was just wondering if they absolutely need UV lights and why they need UV lights?