Need bulb advice...

[shellandpenny]

Hoping you all can help me...

I have two Russians and a baby sulcata . They go outside in the sunshine during the week but I bring them inside at night and when the weather is bad (Florida life).

But- I’m sick and tired of the zoo med bulbs breaking and costing a fortune. My question to you all is: what’s the best setup for UVB and heat?

Edit: I also have a bearded dragon who’s bulbs love to break as well

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I use strip florescent UVB tubes.
They don't break or burn out in general, but they don't provide heat. And don't put out much UVB after 7 or 8 months.
If they're only inside at night. You should need no UVB. Just a CHE for heat and any, simple light source. Even a "soft white" household bulb. Just for light.
The Florida sunlight should be more than enough.

 

[shellandpenny]

I use strip florescent UVB tubes.
They don't break or burn out in general, but they don't provide heat. And don't put out much UVB after 7 or 8 months.
If they're only inside at night. You should need no UVB. Just a CHE for heat and any, simple light source. Even a "soft white" household bulb. Just for light.
The Florida sunlight should be more than enough.

Awesome, thanks. Don’t hurt me but.. what is CHE? Lol

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Ceramic Heat Emitter
No light. Just heat. And they last a LONG time. They screw in like a light bulb.
But you must use a ceramic socket light fixture for high heat. It may or may not be what you currently have.

 

[shellandpenny]

Ceramic Heat Emitter
No light. Just heat. And they last a LONG time. They screw in like a light bulb.
But you must use a ceramic socket light fixture for high heat. It may or may not be what you currently have.

Don’t think I have this.. I just have the mini dome fixtures. Best place to purchase the CHE and fixture?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Pet shop for the CHE and pet shop or hardware store for the reflector lamp with a ceramic socket.

 

[daniellenc]

Amazon sell the ballasted dome fixture and CHE.

 

[shellandpenny]

@ZEROPILOT & @daniellenc

Thanks guys, I’ll start googling around. Any particular wattage I should be looking for?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

No
It will depend on the distance from the CHE to the substrate. Maybe a 100 watt. And be prepared to raise or lower it.

 

[shellandpenny]

Sounds good. https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/cat...and lighting/Zilla-Reflector-Dome-Silver/5104

This work?

 

[daniellenc]

5.5 inches is probably too small. Most domes are 8-10 inches.

 

[shellandpenny]

5.5 inches is probably too small. Most domes are 8-10 inches.

But that model or whatever is what I was checking. I’m gonna get the biggest one

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Yes
It's the correct socket type.
Don't use the clamp alone to secure it. The clamps fail. Causing the fixture to fall into the animals enclosure.
Use a secondary attachment, like zip ties, on top of the clamp for insurance.

 

[shellandpenny]

Okay thank you. I plan on having it hang so it comes straight down and isn’t at an angle

 

[ZEROPILOT]

CHE do direct the heat straight forward.

 

[shellandpenny]

CHE do direct the heat straight forward.

Ok. Also, I saw within a thread somewhere here that people leave their CHE on 24/7 and then also have a basking bulb during the day?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

It depends.
You may or may not need more heat.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Ok. Also, I saw within a thread somewhere here that people leave their CHE on 24/7 and then also have a basking bulb during the day?

For something like a Sulcata, you will almost definitely need it unless it’s enclosure is above 80 day and night. For something like a Russian, you probably won’t need one unless your house falls below 60. What species are we talking about?

 

[TechnoCheese]

For something like a Sulcata, you will almost definitely need it unless it’s enclosure is above 80 day and night. For something like a Russian, you probably won’t need one unless your house falls below 60. What species are we talking about?

Ah, I see the species now. Are your Russians being housed together?

 

[TestudinesSG]

I use Reptisun mercury vapor bulbs. Heat and UVB all in one!