Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw the picture you posted of you cage setup a few threads down and I wanted to know what type of lights you use?

Thanks in Advance,

Khando

Well, first I will tell you that I am the most particular (ie. anal lol) person there is. I test everything prior to using it. I have no less than 40 different bulbs I have tested for different sizes and setups. You'll wish you hadn't asked. lol.

First of all, all my bulbs are controlled by Helix thermostats. Each enclosure has its own thermostat. Currently I have the six white enclosures you saw plus 3 adult size terriums and 5 baby bins.

Anyway, the white enclosures with the angeled fronts. 3 are 5' long by 3 1/2' deep and use (2) 50 Watt Phillips Halogena Narrow Beam (10 Degree) Spot Bulbs. These are available from Home Depot. The enclosures on the right are 4' x 3 1/2' and use (2) Sylvania Capsylite Halogene Par 20 bulbs also narrow spot. These are available online from 1000bulbs.com.

The trick is keeping a 105 basking spot and a 91 ambient (my thermostat setting) in an enclosure, and anything less than perfect is unacceptable to me. lol. Therefore this is my summer setup when my house is regulated with A/C to 75. Winter will be different when my house is cooler.

I have tested many bulbs and setups and really have never found a flood light bulb or household hooded bulb that worked out so I am always skeptical of those who use them. But every setup is different so I'm sure they work in a few. I use household bulbs in the combination hoods over terrariums only. A picture is below.

The Sylvania bulbs I use in the 4' white angle front enclosures are 35 Watt.

Oh, My UVB's are Zoo Med 10.0's. 2 x 3' long