Help with light/heat setup?

[Josh123]

Hi all,

I'm getting really confused with all the different options for heating and lighting. I'm hoping that I could get some opinions on what would be best for the specific set up that I will have. Here's my situation:

1. My beardie's terrarium will most likely be 59" L x 20" D x 17" H.

2. The terrarium will have the opening on the top, which will be covered with a screen that could support the light fixture(s) sitting directly on the screen.

3. If possible, I'd like a Mercury Vapor bulb that can do UVB and heat all in one. This would mean that the point where I'd place the light fixture would be the basking spot and the "UV spot". (I'm rethinking, this, though, and may just go with an externally-ballasted MVB and a separate basking light.)

4. I'd like to have a good solid climbing branch in the basking spot so my beardie can regulate his temps with a lot of vertical choice. If I read correctly that some MVB lights should be a minimum of 12" away from the dragon, that doesn't really give any vertical room. I could only give a climbing branch that goes 5" up. For a nearly two-foot dragon, that isn't much.

5. Naturally, I'd like to spend as little as possible, without sacrificing optimal conditions for my beardie. (Especially over the long-term. Things that last longer, and so are cheaper over time, are preferable to cheap but short-lived solutions.)

6. I live in Canada, and shipping across the border (and currency exchange, etc.) is a pain, so I'd like to find somewhere in Canada where I can order the light from.


So if anyone would like to share their ideas of what the best set-up would be, (especially a good place to purchase from) I'd really appreciate it. And please point out anything that I've got wrong. I'm still learning.