bulb wattage help.

[DeesBalls]

Okay so I just recently moved and now all my snakes are in my lil snake room. The temp is only 76 but it has awesome humidity! I need a bulb for my brb to get the temp up about 8 degrees. She is in a 10 gal glass aquarium. So what's a good bulb I van get to up the temp a lil? I'm shopping now so sorta need to know ASAP. Thanks guys.

[infernalis]

any standard 40 watt reflector lamp will work.

replacement household (track light) bulbs work well, and cost less than half of the same bulb in a pet shop.

[DeesBalls]

Thanks. Right now I am using a 50 watt. I am watching temps really close.

[dragunov.762]

i got a lamp with a dimmer. you can buy a dimmer cheap at any hardware store and install it on the lamp yourself if you wanted too. that way you can fine tone your temp easily and Ohio winters are cold and i found it much easier to buy a bigger wattage bulb and turn it down in the summer than have to spend 10 buck on a winter bulb when that time rolls around.

[infernalis]

i got a lamp with a dimmer. you can buy a dimmer cheap at any hardware store and install it on the lamp yourself if you wanted too. that way you can fine tone your temp easily and Ohio winters are cold and i found it much easier to buy a bigger wattage bulb and turn it down in the summer than have to spend 10 buck on a winter bulb when that time rolls around.


Great idea! post of the day.

I need to start a thread with these little tidbits in it.

[Nafun]

Or better yet, you can just buy a cheap thermostat for like 30 bucks and not worry about it.

Also, why are so many people on this forum from Ohio?!?

[dragunov.762]

because Ohio is awesome...

[DeesBalls]

How do u install a Dimmer? I am terrible with electrical stuff. As for a thermostat I just moved and have lil money right now. Eventually I will look onto a thermostat when I get the money.

[dragunov.762]

i bought a dome with a dimmer installed on it at the pet store and you can find them online. installing a dimmer is not too hard. here is a site that goes through it. it is replacing a light switch but the concept is the same. you will also need something to house the switch in (as it is not being attached to the wall) they sell little blue "project boxes" i think they are called that fit light switches (they are used in houses too). you can hide it and only use it when necessary or if you know someone handy you could even install it on the wall by the cage. anyway here is the link Install a Dimmer Switch | DoItYourself.com (http://www.doityourself.com/stry/installdimswitch)

[Nafun]

Or if you're all thumbs with that there's
Zoo Med 500R thermostat with probe (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/-/zoo-med-500r-thermostat-with-probe/)
for $33
and
Zoo Med Rheostat 150 Watts (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/-/zoo-med-rheostat-150-watts/)
for $16

Either would work (one's a thermostat, the other a rheostat ie, dimmer)

[infernalis]

because Ohio is awesome...


Since the love of my life was imprted from Toledo, I have to agree! :Wow:

[DeesBalls]

Living in Ohio all my life I do really enjoy it. its a good state. as for the subject matter... it gets up to 84-85 on her tank witch all care sheets I read said 85 is highest it should go. cool side is a nice 74. she seems happy in her new home and ill get that 33 dollar one sometime soon. also I seen one at pet co that looked pretty good.

[totheend]

Why use a bulb? Why not use UTH?

[DeesBalls]

1. I hate uth and will never use them..... ever. 2. She is in a glass tank and I hear uth can crack the glass. 3. Bulbs are easier ( for me ) to maintain heat without a thermometer..... thanks.

[LISA127]

i got a lamp with a dimmer. you can buy a dimmer cheap at any hardware store and install it on the lamp yourself if you wanted too. that way you can fine tone your temp easily and Ohio winters are cold and i found it much easier to buy a bigger wattage bulb and turn it down in the summer than have to spend 10 buck on a winter bulb when that time rolls around.

I live in Ohio also, and that is exactly what I do.

[LISA127]

1. I hate uth and will never use them..... ever. 2. She is in a glass tank and I hear uth can crack the glass. 3. Bulbs are easier ( for me ) to maintain heat without a thermometer..... thanks.
A UTH will not crack the glass. You need to do what I do with my heat lamps (which is also what I do with any UTH I use), and that is use a rheostat. Also, you really should consider getting a temp gun to measure temps.