Dwarf Day Geckos???

[Tamberav]

I have been doing some researching and decided to set up a dwarf day gecko vivarium (not sure which kind of dwarf gecko yet).

I have a hex tank with a screen top. From what I have been reading, I would need a UV bulb and a basking lamp. However, I would also need light for the plants.

The tank is roughly 16 x 16 (from opposite panels) and 21 inches tall. I guess my question is, do I need 3 bulbs in such a small area? Can a daylight CFL serve as both a basking lamp and a light for the plants since it produces heat? Is there any sort of combo lamp for UV or is that best as a separate bulb?

Thank you,
Amber

 

[Tokaybyt]

use the "Greg & Leann Christenson" method...

If you're here in the US, you can find halogen puck lights either individually or in 3 or 5 count packages at Lowes or Home Depot. For example: Amerelle Line Voltage Halogen White Puck Light (5-Pack)-ALV50HCAM - The Home Depot

At LOWES go to the light switch aisle and look for the Lutron brand section. You're looking for this: Shop Lutron Credenza 1.5-Amp 300-Watt White/Gloss Slide Dimmer at Lowes.com. It will be either black or white, some locations carry 1 over the other and some carry both.

This dimmer above is to have the halogen puck light plugged into it. This will allow you to control the wattage to the halogen bulb, which consequently allows you to control your basking site temp. A CFL bulb will not provide a focused basking heat you are after. The only bulbs that do this are incandescents, halogen/xenon, and mercury vapor bulbs (MV bulbs are overkill for this application).

As for UV A/B lighting, this will both function for the geckos AND the plants. You could opt to invest in a 3rd bulb and have a plant bulb overhead that emits specific wavelengths for plants, but IMHO it's not needed as UV/full-spectrum lighting will also provide these wavelengths.

Since you're 16x16, roughly, you can use an 18inch under the cabinet light fixture. You can buy these at walmart for around $8-10 and the brand should be Lights of America. From there, grab yourself an 18 inch Reptisun T8-style 5.0 or 10.0 bulb. I use 10.0 bulbs as most of my fixtures are slightly elevated and all are over screen. Both of these variables equate to diminished UV penetration. The bulb packaging will (should) list the penetration distances of the UV light for the bulb. Just opt for either 5.0 or 10.0 based upon fixture placement and distance of fixture from basking perch.

 

[Tamberav]

use the "Greg & Leann Christenson" method...

If you're here in the US, you can find halogen puck lights either individually or in 3 or 5 count packages at Lowes or Home Depot. For example: Amerelle Line Voltage Halogen White Puck Light (5-Pack)-ALV50HCAM - The Home Depot

At LOWES go to the light switch aisle and look for the Lutron brand section. You're looking for this: Shop Lutron Credenza 1.5-Amp 300-Watt White/Gloss Slide Dimmer at Lowes.com. It will be either black or white, some locations carry 1 over the other and some carry both.

This dimmer above is to have the halogen puck light plugged into it. This will allow you to control the wattage to the halogen bulb, which consequently allows you to control your basking site temp. A CFL bulb will not provide a focused basking heat you are after. The only bulbs that do this are incandescents, halogen/xenon, and mercury vapor bulbs (MV bulbs are overkill for this application).

As for UV A/B lighting, this will both function for the geckos AND the plants. You could opt to invest in a 3rd bulb and have a plant bulb overhead that emits specific wavelengths for plants, but IMHO it's not needed as UV/full-spectrum lighting will also provide these wavelengths.

Since you're 16x16, roughly, you can use an 18inch under the cabinet light fixture. You can buy these at walmart for around $8-10 and the brand should be Lights of America. From there, grab yourself an 18 inch Reptisun T8-style 5.0 or 10.0 bulb. I use 10.0 bulbs as most of my fixtures are slightly elevated and all are over screen. Both of these variables equate to diminished UV penetration. The bulb packaging will (should) list the penetration distances of the UV light for the bulb. Just opt for either 5.0 or 10.0 based upon fixture placement and distance of fixture from basking perch.

Thank you so much, that was extremely helpful! I will probably swing by Walmart today and get the ball rolling :biggrin:

 

[Tamberav]

Oops, double post.