Brand of basking bulb

[Kerryann]

We keep having basking bulbs burn out. We aren't buying cheap ones and last time we got a new fixture. And recommendations for a good brand? We have been getting about two or three months. Is that normal?
I came home to Betty dark today. It made me sad because she lived with no basking bulb for a long time before we rescued her.

 

[Tom]

RE: Brand of baking bulb

Regular incandescent or MVB?

Your hood may be too small or not well ventilated enough.

 

[Yvonne G]

Also, if its a Mercury Vapor Bulb, it MUST be mounted in a fixture with a large dome and a ceramic base.

 

[wellington]

Also if it's a MVB, don't move it or touch it. They say that makes them burn out faster too. I use and so do many others the Zoo Med PowerSun MVB.

 

[Tom]

The power sun is regarded as the best, and it also needs to be pointing straight down, not at an angle.

 

[Kerryann]

I haven't been using mercury bulbs. I didn't think you could still get one. I have a separate uvb lamp. I have been putting the dome on the mesh that covers the enclosure.
I will look for a power sub bulb. If i can't find one today i will get her a cheap one and order one.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

I will look for a power sub bulb. If i can't find one today i will get her a cheap one and order one.

If you have another light for UV, you don't necessarily have to get a Powersun (they're upwards of $35 BTW). Just need a new basking bulb.

I have a separate uvb lamp. I have been putting the dome on the mesh that covers the enclosure.

That could be the issue right there. It shouldn't be touching anything.

 

[Kerryann]

I will look for a power sub bulb. If i can't find one today i will get her a cheap one and order one.

If you have another light for UV, you don't necessarily have to get a Powersun (they're upwards of $35 BTW). Just need a new basking bulb.

I have a separate uvb lamp. I have been putting the dome on the mesh that covers the enclosure.

That could be the issue right there. It shouldn't be touching anything.

That is good to know. I didn't think it actually touches the wire mesh but it might, especially when I clean and maybe move stuff around.

 

[Kerryann]

Sooo I replaced her bulb with a power sun and it was fine for a few days. When I got up yesterday her light was still off. I thought her timer was a little off Henry's but it didn't come on after another 15 minutes. I played with the light and it came on. I checked the plug to make sure it was plugged in, I knew it wasn't the timer because it went on and off as I moved it. I changed the fixture and it worked. Apparently the wire had a short that when it sat a certain way would work and be at full power but in other positions wouldn't make connection.
I was so proud of myself that I diagnosed and fixed the problem when my husband (who by the way does have an electrical engineering degree) did not Plus I saved Betty from another day of cold dark misery. I tested the last bulb I thought went bad and it worked so now I have two spare lights also.

 

[lynnedit]

Yay! Good discovery. What kind of fixture are you using now?