Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there a problem with using a clamp light to shine under a tank/enclosure (not glass bottom) to heat it? I have newspaper as substrate and the light isn't strong enough to shine through, but it may penetrate the first layer. Would it be better if I covered the bottom of the tanks in a darker cover?
-Sean

I guess you could do this if you made sure the light was ventilated so that excess heat could escape. You would also need a rheostat (dimmer) on the light so that you could control the temperature.

It would be safer and more effective to get an under tank heatpad and put it on one end of the tank.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

The light is basically shining on the bottom and is a few inches away. Ventillation shouldn't be a problem. The dimmer is an excellent idea, thanks,
-Sean

Why would you not just use a heat pad??

They're plastic tubs and I'm afraid heatpads would directly heat too much and mabey even melt. Using glass for the mess hondurans make is just inefficient for me, though I do keep my breeding male and 1 or 2 of my females in glass. It is also easier to control the temperature and able to be connected to a timer (many heatpads take long to heat up). Plus...I have like 15 clamp lights.

-Sean

many of us are using heat pads with plastic (Rubbermaid) boxes. Use a dimmer switch and a reptile heat pad and you will not have any problems. Of course this is just my oppinion on this.

Is there anyone else out there using light bulbs as under tank heat??? Or thinks this is a good idea??