Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my new model 400 vison cage in today. There is a small ledge on the back and I would like to heat the cage with a small heat dome. What would be the highest recommened wattage heat bulb be to heat the enclosure and not burn or melt the plastic? Thank you for any replies.

I've used up to a 75 Watt bulb with the Vision cages that have the drop down heat shroud with no problems. For the cages I own that have the slanted vents in the back, I typically use 60 Watt bulbs.

Hope this helps.
Dianne

thanks i got a 100 watt elevated off the cage a few inches. i dont see the plastic having any effects so far. do you think the 100 watt would be to much to put directly on the flat back vent with a small dome.

I would be concerned that sitting directly on the vent might cause some damage to the plastic around the vent from that high a wattage. You could always try it and just keep a close eye on it. Double check your lamp to make sure that it is rated for a 100 Watt bulb. Many of the lamps we use with the cages are only rated for 60-75 watts, and the fixtures will become brittle from constant high temperatures from heat lamps. The heat lamps with ceramic sockets are designed for high temperature bulbs, but the plastic sockets are usually rated lower. Also, you'll want to monitor the temperatures inside the cage carefully to make sure your animals don't get overheated.

Good luck.
Dianne

I had a couple of those cages last year and I used flexwatt on the bottom and just and just a 10 dollar area light for light and it worked well.

Marcus Williams