UVB: Compact bulb vs tube and heating

[tykell]

I'm preparing to get a northern BTS this summer, and I'm trying to figure out the best lighting/heat setup for it. I am thinking a heat floodlight bulb on a dimmer for the hot end, under tank heat mat on a thermostat for the cool end to make sure temps stay above 75 ish, and a UVB bulb. Now, I don't know if the long tube bulbs are better to use, or if the small compact ones by Reptisun are ok too. For reference, the tank I'm building is about 15 inches from floor to top, 32 inches across, and 22 inches deep.

[alichamp]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Very exciting that you are planning to get a BTS soon.

You won't need a heat mat or any heating on the cool side. It will be far too hot and you will cook your skink so save your money. A floodlight bulb for the hot end is good for daytime heat. Put it on a timer to go on/off at certain times so you can follow day/night cycles. A basking rock or ceramic tile directly under the heat lamp will serve as the hot spot or basking spot. If the hot end is the right temp the cool side manages itself as in the tank you will get a gradual cooling from the heat end to the cool end. And actually, as long as your hot spot is the right temp dropping below 75 on the cool end will be fine as the skink can move around the tank to regulate its own temperature. You do want a good heat gradient in the tank to give him/her options to sort out his own temp.

However, you may need to switch the daytime floodlight over to a night heat option if it gets cold overnight where you are.

32 inches is too small. Go a minimum of 36 inches and go as big as you have room for. Longer will serve your skink well because as well as the extra room (the skinks get quite big) it gives greater gradient and more heat options. 15 inches high is fine but consider that you may find it easier to control temps if it's a bit higher.

[alichamp]

And have you already been in contact with a good breeder? Check out this Recommended breeders list.

[tykell]

Thanks!
Good to know about the heat mat. It tends to get down to 65 at night in the future cage location, will that be too cold? Also, what do you use for UVA/B?
I'll work on modifying the setup to be bigger also! I've contacted Donna at Captive Bred Excellence. I also emailed a few other people, but unfortunately I haven't received a reply yet...

[alichamp]

Awesome you are on your way!

UVB tube or compact I don't really have an opinion. I use 10.0 but I don't know how it works in the US. Most important is diet to prevent metabolic bone disease so check the diet chart carefully and read through the large amount of information on here. Most of us feed our BTS dog food with greens and mixed veg as a staple with fruits and other treats on rotation and supplement with a good calcium + d3 powder.

You may need some overnight heating especially if you get a baby to keep him warm over his first winter. A purple moon globe, red heat globe, or ceramic heat emitter (warmth without light) are all options. Just have a second lamp with this globe. There are more details on that in this thread Night-time temp.

If you buy off a reputable breeder they can also give you suggestions for care if you still have questions at or after time of purchase. In the meantime be sure to read the FAQs, species care sheets, use the search text box to find relevant threads, and ask!

Out of curiosity, why have you chosen a northern in particular?

[jesswebb93]

I use a 100 watt mercury vapor bulb and a heat mat (placed on the side of the tank) on the hot side of the enclosure. The mercury vapor bulb provides daylight, heat and UVB, while the heat mat provides heat at night when the lights are off. I keep the heat mat on at all times, and since blue tongues tolerate a drop in night time temps, they just have the heat mat on at night on the hot end to provide a warmer area still. It works well for both of my Blueys

[tykell]

Sounds like I'll be doing some temperature tests (on the empty tank, of course) with various configurations to see what gives the most stability at night. Thank you both for the advice!
Ali- I decided on a northern as I like their patterns and temperament best. They also don't need a constant high humidity like Indonesians, which I've been concerned that I may not be able to maintain correctly. I don't want to get an animal and then not be able to provide for it correctly. My previous experience with lizards was a desert plated lizard that I babysat for a friend for a year. I feel confident enough in handling and maintaining the habitat, I just haven't had experience initially setting up a cage or keeping a more tropical lizard.

[alichamp]

Awesome! Great thinking!

Getting a northern also means you will definitely have a captive born and bred one too.

Let us know how things progress.

[Susann]

Aaah, look what good help you've already received! Everything I was going to cover has already been said.
Golly we sure have a great forum!

Welcome, by the way!

[Gao]

Personally I would suggest a mercury vapor bulb. The quality of UVB is much better than compact bulbs. Compact bulbs have been proved to cause eye sight damage to reptiles and they barely emit any UVB. You can use a T5HO tube light as well but the uvb they give out doesn't go too deep so personally I would only use mercury vapor bulbs as the UVB source for all of my reptiles.

[Susann]

There were claims about compact fluorescent bulbs when they first came out, but to my knowledge, the bulbs are much safer now. I for one have been using them for years without any issues.
I always urge people who use any type of UVB bulb to make sure they supply plenty of places for their skink to get away from the UVB rays. Just like you and me receive damage from staying in the sun too long, so eventually will skinks --even though skinks have thick scales, their eyes aren't much more protective than ours.

Whenever you use UVB, you must heed the instructions for the bulb. Depending on the wattage of the bulb and the strength of the UVB, it must be mounted a certain distance from the bottom of the tank and/or the top of the basking spot.

[tykell]

I've also read using an aluminum reflector housing with a UVB bulb can be harmful as it will concentrate the amount of UVB to a specific spot which can be dangerous. Any further info on this?

[Susann]

None that I've heard...