light bulbs?

Solid Snake · 09-22-03, 10:36 PM

are the light bulbs in the reptile shop the same thing as the light bulbs in Home depot???

Ex. clear white 100Wat

thx

eyespy · 09-22-03, 10:44 PM

Pretty much, the specialty reptile incandescent bulbs just have coatings on them that filter certain wavelengths of light, either to enhance the reptiles' colors when we look at them, or so they cannot see the light so it doesn't disrupt day/night cycles (the red and "black" ones). Reptile bulbs aren't held to the safety and quality standards that bulbs made for humans are and tend to have much higher defect rates. I buy "human" bulbs unless I need nighttime illumination.

Neo · 09-22-03, 10:50 PM

some human bulbs are thick coated and may be difficult to radiate heat as effectively as reptile bulbs

MouseKilla · 09-23-03, 03:46 PM

In my experience 60 watts is 60 watts only one costs about 100 times more. The pet stores gouge. Look at the price of a plastic dog bowl, you can buy one at the dollar store or you can spend $15 at the pet shop. I've noticed no difference in the amount of heat radiated and that's what the primary purpose is. Also there is no objective evidence that I have seen (objective as in info from someone other than the company selling them) that the magic coatings on the bulb do a single thing. I say stick with the GE soft whites, you can always use them elsewhere around the house.

JoeBradley · 09-23-03, 03:47 PM

I use regular house bulbs with my reptiles.
Joe

MouseKilla · 09-23-03, 03:52 PM

Oh ya, about the night bulbs. As far as I know most snakes do fine with night temperatures dropping down to normal room temperature so that would make those bulbs unnecessary. I don't use them. I have regular 60 - 100W bulbs set on a timer for all my enclosures.

Wuntu Menny · 09-23-03, 04:14 PM

I use Sylvania floods and spots exclusively now. As far as incandescent basking lights go, there is no difference in output spectrum. The household lights are way cheaper, they last longer, in from my experience, they don't explode in my cages the way the $15 herp lights have in the past.

If you can't find Sylvanias, look for a bulb with the clearest lense possible. Ones with the opaque or frosted lense don't transmit enough heat/light to the basking area.

WM

eyespy · 09-23-03, 05:06 PM

More herps in the world than just snakes, Mouse Killa! Those night bulbs are terrific for noctural frogs and geckos. Much cheaper than night-vision goggles.

sapphire_moon · 09-23-03, 06:13 PM

I've heard that snakes can't see red, well I don't know who said that because my snakes sure react to one of those laser mouse things when it is near their cage. If they can't see red then why do they see this thing moving? As for the lights, go with normal lights like at home depot or anywhere else. The night drop is fine, some even say it's needed. So unless they have to have a most specific night temp go with normal light bulbs.

Lisa · 09-23-03, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
I've heard that snakes can't see red, well I don't know who said that because my snakes sure react to one of those laser mouse things when it is near their cage. If they can't see red then why do they see this thing moving? As for the lights, go with normal lights like at home depot or anywhere else. The night drop is fine, some even say it's needed. So unless they have to have a most specific night temp go with normal light bulbs.

You can't beleive everything you hear. I've also heard dogs can't see red but they react to the lazer thingy too.

Now that doesn't mean they aren't colour blind, they just may not see the colour properly, but seeing as snakes have a similar eye construction as cats my thoughts are that they're not colour blind as cats are not colour blind.

Mr.Lizard · 09-23-03, 07:09 PM

I learned the hard way.....Home Depot and Wal-Mart are way less expensive and IMO better places to shop for your lights.
I put out $60 on a light bulb from a petshop and had to replace it a few months later after the thing kept malfunctioning on me.
I ended up replacing it with a floodlamp that put out more heat and cost me 1/10th as much.
As far as red bulbs for night-time,againyou can pay about $9 at Wal-Mart or $15-$20 at a petshop.
However,if you want heat without light you can get a ceramic heat emitter from either a pet shop or a reptile show.
In fact,reptile shows are a great place to buy all kinds of neat gadgets you may not find in shops and their usually priced right too.

MouseKilla · 09-23-03, 07:19 PM

Sorry Eyespy, I often forget that other animals even exist LOL! However, if they are nocturnal creatures then they probably don't need the red heat lamp to see unless you have them in a room that has absolutely no ambient light after the enclosure lights are turned off (coming through the windows from street lights, etc.) Also, as someone mentioned, they may need or benefit from a nighttime drop in temperature that won't exist if you have a hot red light on after the day lights go out.

LISA127 · 09-24-03, 07:54 AM

I use household bulbs for all my enclosures also. Anything from 40 watts to 100 watts. I just make sure my diurnal guys have a good UVB lamp. But for heat, it's regular household bulbs. Costs pennies.

eyespy · 09-24-03, 08:03 AM

Most of the noctural species are almost totally inactive and develop obesity-related disorders when they don't have nighttime illumination, they need a little bit to mimic moonlight but not enough to interfere with their day/night cycles.

Plus the illumination is more for the keeper to be able to watch them than for the herp itself.

gauts28 · 09-24-03, 11:17 AM

If you need UVB lamps, home depot and all the same kind of store have bulbs that are for plants they are basically the same thing as the ones you find in the pet store but for half the price. The only difference is the box, one says for plants and the other for reptiles but both reproduce the effects of the sun…