Poll: Heat Lamp Preferences

Due to a mixed environment and waiting on some T-8s from Animal Plastics, I am forced to maintain heat with UTH pads and lamps. What has worked the best for you in the past? White, red, ceramic heating bulbs? And what wattage for two 20 gal tanks...

Thanks ahead of time...

Infrared heat lamps, they can be used 24/7 and output a lot of heat for the amount of visible light that they produce.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo

75 watt plenty for 24x12x18 enclosures?


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That really depends on the air temperature in the room. Personally I would get a 100 watt and dim it down with a lamp dimmer or thermostat.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lutron-...l#.UR6AAKUkKRk

Ambient room temp around 75


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a 75 watt should be able to do it in a room that warm. I still like going one wattage above what you need, then regulating it down to the desired temperature. The more control and overhead you have the better.

I use overhead for my colubrids and adjust temperature by altering the distance from lamp to screen top; all 50w white bulbs.

For my BPs I use a UTH paired with a 40w red bulb in the winter time. No bulb in the spring/summer.

I bought the 100w for each enclosure. I'll just mess around with distance with the dome clips.

Thanks all!


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UTH with a 75 watt IR on a dimmer, dimmed down to just raise ambient air a handful of degrees. 20 gal. long.

A 75 watt IR bulb rated at 3k hours dimmed waaay down should last a lot longer, don't you think?

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Originally Posted by 33rpm

UTH with a 75 watt IR on a dimmer, dimmed down to just raise ambient air a handful of degrees. 20 gal. long.

A 75 watt IR bulb rated at 3k hours dimmed waaay down should last a lot longer, don't you think?

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It should with regular incandescent bulbs. With Halogen/Mercury Vapor/Metal Halide bulbs reducing the power will shorten the lifespan of the bulb.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

It should with regular incandescent bulbs. With Halogen/Mercury Vapor/Metal Halide bulbs reducing the power will shorten the lifespan of the bulb.

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Ah, I see. I had metal halides on a coral reef tank, once. Those puppies are expensive and delicate! Thanks for the info, Merch!

My tanks aren't the usual fish tanks. Originally I had purchased the Exo-Terra Medium Low for reptiles:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...3-001b2166becc

I just really liked the front-opening doors on these. Regardless, they are still glass and maintaining temps and humidity in North Central US (MN) is a challenge. Although my temps and humidity are "adequate" at around 82-85 on warm w/ 90 basking spot on warm side and 75-78 on cool side, I am finding most are recommending I up my temps a bit on both sides.

Sooo, since I am regaled to UTH mats and overhead lamps right now (I will be ordering a couple AP T-8s this spring) I think the 100W IR bulbs will help me achieve this.

As always, my gratitude for sharing your thoughts :cool:

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My tanks aren't the usual fish tanks. Originally I had purchased the Exo-Terra Medium Low for reptiles:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...3-001b2166becc

I just really liked the front-opening doors on these. Regardless, they are still glass and maintaining temps and humidity in North Central US (MN) is a challenge. Although my temps and humidity are "adequate" at around 82-85 on warm w/ 90 basking spot on warm side and 75-78 on cool side, I am finding most are recommending I up my temps a bit on both sides.

Sooo, since I am regaled to UTH mats and overhead lamps right now (I will be ordering a couple AP T-8s this spring) I think the 100W IR bulbs will help me achieve this.

As always, my gratitude for sharing your thoughts :cool:

I like using just a CHE bulb with my glass enclosure. A dark blue bulb maybe more preferred over an IR bulb.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

On a touch of a side note you may find ir lights more disrupting than dark blue lighting is. Infrared hunting snakes (ie pythons) are 'tuned' to that end of the spectrum.

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I answered other because I wouldn't use a heat lamp.

Radiant Heat Panels all the way.

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

I answered other because I wouldn't use a heat lamp.

Radiant Heat Panels all the way.

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