If you use a lamp to keep ambient temps up...

I have a taller tank, which I know is not really needed by my bp but it is not too excessive, anyway I do use a lamp to keep ambient temps up and I have been through three "night-glow" bulbs so far that are dark but give off enough heat to keep the temps up. They run for about $10 each around here so I got fed up after another one quitting and went to a hardware store to see if I could find anything similar.

I bought a bunch of 75 watt black light bulbs for $2 each and they are literally black. No glow is given off at all!! My ambient temp is staying at 84 with one 75 watt black light and foil on my 25 gallon terrarium. Is there any real difference between the bulbs I got at the hardware store and the reptile brand bulbs? I know my bp doesn't need UV.

Light is the only real difference, though I might go with a 50watt instead of a 75...but that's just me. Other more experienced people should correct me if I'm mistaken, but as far as I know there is no other difference.

I tried the 50 watt and it can only keep it around 80 ambient and when my house gets chilly that drops a few degrees. So the 75 watt keeps ambient at a high of 85 and a low of around 82. Thanx for checking though! I appreciate it

Interesting question...I would like to know the same. I have a red bulb that costs a fortune compared to a regular bulb. I would definately consider switching if it's ok to do so. Pay $10 for a bulb is crazy if you don't have to.

Considering I have used both the good ol hardware store bulb and its keeping the temp up, Im thinking the only difference is UV, which is not needed by a bp. I would think using a regular white light bulb would be way too bright in the tank but there is the black ones and our hardware store had red, purple, blue, green and orange bulbs. The black one seemed best and its working great. If it doesnt work for you well, $2 wasted but its worth a try.