What Watt Moonlight Bulb?

[Joelolly]

I have a 20 long aquarium(30''x12''x12''). The ambient temps are at 72 farenhieght. What size moonlight bulb do I need to raise it 10 degrees?

[dr del]

Hi,

Have you got any form of insulation on the back, sides and bottom of the tank? I found that helped me a lot when I was using glass tanks.

But I'm not sure anyone can give you a definate answer on the bulb question. You could possibly buy a larger wattage than needed and a dimmer switch though.


dr del

[Joelolly]

I haven't used any form of insulation. What do you recommend?

[OhhWatALoser]

I haven't used any form of insulation. What do you recommend?

I believe thats what he recommends, its used in building buildings alot, underground backing, facade backing, Garage door insulating ect.

[Joelolly]

Also. My warm side belly temps run 93-104 depending on where I point my infrared gun. My cool side belly temps run 84-86. I have the UTH on the warm side and the moonlight bulb on the cool side. The ambient temps stay between 79-80 and the humididty is around 47 right now. I have him on repti bark. What do I need to do?

[Joelolly]

I believe thats what he recommends, its used in building buildings alot, underground backing, facade backing, Garage door insulating ect.

Put this on the outside of his tank, correct?

[dr del]

Hi,

It sounds as though you also need to buy a thermostat to control the UTH?

You can use either foam board insulation or cork sheeting - but you really need to get those hot end temps under control as quick as possible.

I may be misreading your post but if you can shoot the temp gun at substrate and get 104f can you imagine how hot it might be directly on top of the UTH is the snake burrows down or moves the substrate aside?

That's a good way to get the snake burnt.


dr del

[Joelolly]

Hi,

It sounds as though you also need to buy a thermostat to control the UTH?

You can use either foam board insulation or cork sheeting - but you really need to get those hot end temps under control as quick as possible.

I may be misreading your post but if you can shoot the temp gun at substrate and get 104f can you imagine how hot it might be directly on top of the UTH is the snake burrows down or moves the substrate aside?

That's a good way to get the snake burnt.


dr del

What kind of thermostat? Can put a dimmer switch on the UTH or will that not controll the amount of heat it puts out?

[snakesRkewl]

Dimmers work only if the rooms temperature is fairly stable.

[Joelolly]

The only kind o thermostat I can find at my local hardware srtores are the ones you put on your house for AC control. They don't have the ones with probes.