Heyall, heat lamp wattage question

[roelani]

Hi!

I'm pretty much as newbie as they come regarding reptiles (aside from a childhood mistake which I swear never to repeat...) and I'm trying to achieve some fairly nice temps in my glass tank.

So far, so good. Our new ball seems to be adjusting well. I have my hot side at 91-92 and I'm looking to bump up my cool side to 81-82. It's currently at 76, mainly due to a 75 watt red heat bulb which is doing nice considering it's winter in Canada and we're heating the place up to about 65.

M'just wondering whether the jump to a 100 watt heat bulb would cover the 7 or 8 degrees I'm trying to gain or if I should go with a higher-wattage bulb? I have a huge 200watt light socket, so power isn't a problem. I just don't want to have to run back and forth to the pet shop three times trying bulbs.

Thanks in advance!

[daniel1983]

The bulbs are going to kill the humidity in the enclosure. Also, the higher the wattage, the greater risk of fire.

Have you considered using an under the tank heater?

[roelani]

I've already got a UTH on the hot side, plugged into a rheostat for control. So far, the hot side hasn't been giving me trouble.

My humidity readout, with the 75 watt heat bulb plugged in, is 63%.

When you say heat bulb are fire hazardous, do you mean eletrically or simply because of the heat they produce? I'm terrified of fire, but there's no way I can manage another UTH and thermostat. Quite simply put, I can't find anything in pretty much any of the local pet shops. The rheostat I got was buried under so much dust, it's not even funny. They had to dig through old bills to find the item code in order to order another (they only ever keep one in stock!).

I will eventually order another heat pad and rheostat over the internet, but for now, and until I can find a reliable BP internet shop here in Canada (no more customs fees, please!), the heat bulb solution seems to be working out. Unless you guys assure me they are dangerous as hell... But the socket is currently warm to the touch, but not burning hot, I can keep my fingers on there for a good while before it gets uncomfortable.

[Smulkin]

Hi!

I'm pretty much as newbie as they come regarding reptiles (aside from a childhood mistake which I swear never to repeat...) and I'm trying to achieve some fairly nice temps in my glass tank.

So far, so good. Our new ball seems to be adjusting well. I have my hot side at 91-92 and I'm looking to bump up my cool side to 81-82. It's currently at 76, mainly due to a 75 watt red heat bulb which is doing nice considering it's winter in Canada and we're heating the place up to about 65.

M'just wondering whether the jump to a 100 watt heat bulb would cover the 7 or 8 degrees I'm trying to gain or if I should go with a higher-wattage bulb? I have a huge 200watt light socket, so power isn't a problem. I just don't want to have to run back and forth to the pet shop three times trying bulbs.

Thanks in advance!

Are you using a screen lid? If so do you have any of it covered so the heat and humidity don't float right out of the top? Retaining both of those key elements is a challenge with glass tanks - one of the reasons I migrated to tubs.

When I was usinig a few tanks for just a few snakes i found covering the screen with transparent ConTac paper (and leaving the corners open for air exchange) made a jawdropping difference in both.

[roelani]

The lid is actually not screen but small metal bars, with two flaps that open so you can reach inside without opening the whole thing.

I've got dry towels over the lid now. M'thinking of covering it with aluminium tape on the inside (for heat reflection) and black tape on the outside (for looks).

Worth a shot?

I bought a 150watt heat bulb and the temp on the cold side is climbing steadily... Nearing 78 now... Haven't seen too much of an impact on humidity yet (went down from 63% to 61%). My water bowl is pretty near right smack under the lamp though, so that may be why.

[roelani]

Well I guess you never know until you try. I bought the lamp, plugged it in, waited a bit and, lo and behold, I'm reading 62% humidity, 82 on the cool side, and 92 on the warm.

Booyah!

[Snikt228]

I'm in a similar situation, 75W at night isn't cutting it. I'm going to try 100

[Reptile_Man]

you could do what i do,during the day for about 11 or 12 hours i have a 50w light on in the basking area,and it does the trick, then at night when i go to bed,i turn off that light and i turn on the under the tank heat mat.this way works well for me and keeps the temps fairly steady.and the humidity in the tank is good too.just a suggestion as im only starting out and i knwo alot of peopel do it the way i was told to do and it works well for them also.

[roelani]

Ambient temps in the house average about 65 in the winter. There's no way I can manage with just one heat source, my cool side will be frigid.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to invest in another rheostat and UTH, ditch the heat bulb and use just a normal bulb for the warm side during the day.

[Snikt228]

Ambient temps in the house average about 65 in the winter. There's no way I can manage with just one heat source, my cool side will be frigid.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to invest in another rheostat and UTH, ditch the heat bulb and use just a normal bulb for the warm side during the day.

Mine is about 68 for room temp. I already have 2 UTH with 2 therostats, and the 75W bulb at night and it didn't cut it.