Is a heat lamp necessary?

What wattage would you guys suggest if the room temperature is usually in the mid to low 70s

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Just one thing to think about is that heat lamps do not work well with thermostats. The process of constantly going off and on is going to burn that bulb out very quickly. Some heat bulbs wont even turn back on for a period of time after they have been shut off.

You can however put the bulb on a lamp dimmer.

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Thanks Josh , didn't think about that. I guess thermostats would be better for UTH's or tapes. Dimmers would be a much better recommendation for heat bulbs. I use heat bulbs to heat with, I don't have a thermostat, guess I better not get one. A dimmer might be real good idea though for those of us who use the bulbs to heat. Right now I just go by what I hope is the right size watts. Just picked up a digital therm. and hygrometer today from petsmart. Did have the analog, cheap, type. And bought an infrared temp. gun a few months ago. I have to get a little at a time it seems, poor nicki, :depressed but she's still surviving and healthy, gladly, and I weighed her 386 grams yesterday.

You may not get away with just one bulb. Things are always changing. Also when winter comes, you may have to change up.

Your size will probably be different than mine. I don't know what size tank you have.

My tanks are 36" long and run from 12,and 18 wide to 18 and 20 high.

The type of substrate can make a difference because of the amount of water it may be holding, thus humidity levels.

I know this is the long way around the barn, but I would suggest trying a 100 watt bulb. That way you can always use a dimmer and turn it down.

You can get this table top slider dimmer at Lowes for under 10 bucks online or in store.

Tapatalk is down for this forum right now, so I am unable to post a pic of the dimmer. I will add a photo in a different post when able.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

You can however put the bulb on a lamp dimmer.

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My local Ace hardware had an inline one that was super easy to instal for about 9 bucks. Keeps everything nice and tidy.

Dave

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Originally Posted by Zlo98

I am picking up my ball python later this week and have just finished setting up its cage. The temperatures are all perfect without a heat lamp but I am worried about my parents changing the temperature of the house and making my room to cold. However I dont want to constantly have to check on the heat lamp to make sure that I am not frying my snake. What do you guys like and dislike about heat lamps and do you think I need one or not?

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Do you have an UTH and what is your room temp?

If you are just using the bulb to increase ambient temps, and are relying on the UTH for the hot spot, a 100w is plenty. Dim it down if you need.

I use a ceramic bulb just on one side that I can change the height vertically if it gets too hot/cold but I haven't had to move it from where it lies currently. Also a UTH on a dimmer reading 90 with a laser thermometer on that hot side. Creates a gradient for me 88 ambient in 1/3 of tank with 90 basking spot (UTH) and the cold side sits at 77deg.

The inline lamp dimmer I got from home depot for $12 also.

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Originally Posted by bondo

Do you have an UTH and what is your room temp?

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Yeah I have a UTH and that is doing fine. My room is in the high 70s during the day and the low 70s at night. Does the lamp have to be specifically made for ceramic bulbs or can I use the lamp I got from lowes?

It needs to have a porcelain base that the bulb screws into. If it's plastic you will have a melted mess

If you have issues maintaining the cool side but re worried about a heat lamp why not have a second UTH and second thermostat for the cool side?