I currently have only one light source going at a time, during the day I place the UVB light in the lamp while at night I insert the infrared basking light.
It is 75F where the UVB light is, though sometimes she will sit there with her mouth open.
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Sign up to join this communityI currently have only one light source going at a time, during the day I place the UVB light in the lamp while at night I insert the infrared basking light.
It is 75F where the UVB light is, though sometimes she will sit there with her mouth open.
Reptiles need to thermoregulate so you should always have a daytime basking light along with the tube UVB light for the cooler end. Mercury vapor bulbs or metal halide bulbs for basking are the strongest for UV output as well as heat for basking.
Some metal halides have hot spots (essential areas with too high UV output), Zoo-Med products are the way to go for safety.
2) SolarGlo - Mercury Vapor Bulb
The cooler end should have fluorescent tube lighting, this will give UV for the full length of the enclosure.
All of these lights emit UV rays for 1 year and should be replaced. You will have to adjust distance of the lights depending on how tall his enclosure is as they need to be a certain distance away to prevent over-exposure.
Coil bulbs are not sufficient enough for UV production for bearded dragons, they need high output lighting.
I would not turn on any lights for night time as it interrupts their sleep cycles, to keep his enclosure warm at night use a ceramic heat emitter or install undertank heating cables (only to be used with a thermostat).
For more information on bearded dragon care you can view the following questions:
Diet and care for Bearded Dragon
What is a good substrate for a bearded dragon terrarium?