light bulb wattage

LOL. I understand. :) Can you tell him to check his PM?

i removed the small uth and put a human one under the tank put it on med and let see what happens :shock:

I have to use a UTH and a red bulb to keep the proper heat gradient in Caesar's cage. (The basement is a bit chilly.) I find that the red bulbs heat a lot more effeciently than a similar watt standard bulb. The best way to control the bulbs is with a rheostat (dimmer switch). You can get a simple one at any hardware store for about $6. That way even if the bulb heats too effeciently, I can just dim it down some until it's just the temp I want it.

I noticed a big difference when i switched wattages... you see it's going on spring here in Nashville which means weathermen call out temperatures like lottery numbers... 60! 40. 30! 70! So the past two days (since i had my set-up running) the temperature in my apartment has been shifting so I keep a close eye... on the warmer days I end up with a 75 black bulb on full power (I have a rhetostat for the bulb but a human heat pad.. I just got those no scratch plactic adhesive corner protectors from walmart.. the thickest they had) and when it gets chilly I go to a 100 watt red bulb on low. I have a 20 long tank my heat pad is generally on low because i use the light to compensate the change in temp as I have more specific incremental control over it. Lights WILL LOWER HUMIDITY make sure your air doesn't get baked... I use contact paper to cover the cool side and middle of the tank to maintain humidity.. duct tape works too but I am going for asthetics... Oh and my light fixture is the middle size ceramic capable one that plugs in to turn on. Max 200 watts I think.

okay last thing... the only reason i use bulb rather than ceramic element (which tend to last long so i hear "more bang for your buck") is because I want to watch him at night as he is across the room from my bed. Hope all this blabber helps haha

i use a human heating pad long with lights, i have a 30 gallon tank, and i just set the heating pad on low. it works. but i have astroturf 4 substrate

So does one stick the huma ht-pd directly to the glass?

Nope, you should give it a little clearance for air circulation, just like with a reptile heat mat. 1/8" to 1/4" should be fine.

Thanks Marla! I'm going to get a 40gallon breeder tank for my little guy this summer and I plan on using a Human Heating pad this time around!

I think you'll be pleased with their performance, especially considering how much less they cost. Keep us updated. :)