Okay you guys I need some more education! This morning I heard a loud pop... my infrared bulb blew. Mostly intact but the bottom side popped open. Don't worry, I did clean the cage in case fragments fell between the mesh top.

Okay so here's how I had it going, and I am ready for the lectures lol.

i was switching between light emitting heat bulb during the day and the infrared at night. I thought the light emitting bulb was zapping more humidity away so I stopped using it and only used the infrared thereafter. I did have it going day and night without being on a dimmer because I adjusted how close it was to the cage to get the correct ambient temps.

it was a 100 watt infrared bulb in a ceramic lamp that said good up to 100 watt bulbs.

i can't tell you what kind of bulb, I threw away the package.

what was my mistake? Leaving it on 24/7? Or having a 100 watt bulb in a lamp that can only take 100 watts?

the 100 watt infrared bulb was perfect for my ambient temps, 82-85 warm side and 78-80 cool side.

i have a 20 gallon glass aquarium, the whole mesh screen is foiled over except for the space right under the lamp which lays about two inches above the hole to allow air flow. The hole is also on the right side over his hide that lays over the uth.

Suggestions as as to why it blew, how to prevent, and what to do better?