Heat dome silver or black dome? Chicken domes?

Hey,

Stupid question... All the heat domes/fixtures are black but they sell silver ones. Does it matter?

The silver ones are advertised for chicken coops. Are those safe inside? Really dumb but does the black paint on the domes do something for heat retention or safety? I'm doubting it but thought I'd double check hha.

Black outside doesn't matter but inside I would want silver or unpainted as that will reflect more light/heat downward. The biggest thing you want to check is that the fixture is ceramic as ceramic is the only fixtures rated for high wattage and stuff like CHEs.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

The biggest thing you want to check is that the fixture is ceramic as ceramic is the only fixtures rated for high wattage and stuff like CHEs.

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^^^^^^^^^^
This right there!

Ah yes! Makes sense thanks! Can you use uvb coil bulbs in these traditional heat bulb fixtures?

Yes you can but coil UVB bulbs are bad. Most are on the low spectrum of UVB which is the harmful forms of UVB and can cause eye problems especially in lizards. If you really want to use UVB, which I don't see as that useful for crepuscular snakes, I would go with something like a Reptisun 5.0 uvb tube. I personally use Reptisun 10.0 HO T5 tubes for my beardie but I don't use any UVB on my snakes except outside time during the summer where they ride around on me while I do stuff outside in my yard.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Yes you can but coil UVB bulbs are bad. Most are on the low spectrum of UVB which is the harmful forms of UVB and can cause eye problems especially in lizards. If you really want to use UVB, which I don't see as that useful for crepuscular snakes, I would go with something like a Reptisun 5.0 uvb tube. I personally use Reptisun 10.0 HO T5 tubes for my beardie but I don't use any UVB on my snakes except outside time during the summer where they ride around on me while I do stuff outside in my yard.

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I have heard this a lot. My beardie has a ho t5 tube. But for the breeding gecko terrarium I want to use a coil bulb I have. I have some friends who suggest trying it for cresties.

But I heard the old coil bulbs are bad but the new ones are much better. If it's kept at a distance and not angled at them so it's not directed into their eyes is ok. Hoping that's true...

The has already been answered as the ceramic fixture is what's important. I'll add that the chicken brooder lamps are just bigger and can handle a higher wattage than typical reptile lamps. I use both. Besides using the chicken brooder lamp for it's intended purpose, it will also fit a regular sized flood light for heating bearded dragon or monitor enclosures (NOT small aquariums).

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Originally Posted by maskedburito

I have heard this a lot. My beardie has a ho t5 tube. But for the breeding gecko terrarium I want to use a coil bulb I have. I have some friends who suggest trying it for cresties.

But I heard the old coil bulbs are bad but the new ones are much better. If it's kept at a distance and not angled at them so it's not directed into their eyes is ok. Hoping that's true...

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Problem is UVB tubes/bulbs need to be at a certain distance to be effective. 6" for T8s and about 14" for T5s. This is unfiltered through a screen which can cut out up to 50% of the UVBs effectiveness. Now I don't know the effective range of a UVB coil but if you put it at a distance and it has a screen between it and the animal, then how effective will it be? Also not directing it into their eyes is a moot point as UVB will radiate no matter what. I mean even in shade there will still be UVB. Get a solarmeter and you can check it out.

Now maybe the new ones are redesigned and not putting out the lower end of the UVB spectrum. I have no idea as like I said I have used T8 and T5 tubes forever and they have worked for me and are tried and true so I have had no need for UVB coils. I guess you'll find out though, just watch the geckos for any signs. Best of luck.