Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I i am new to reptiles and i have a pretty dumb question. I have read about the powersun and i am getting ready to build my cage and i would like to buy this bulb. But once i buy the bulb can i use my regular porcelan socket that holds up to 250 watts for this bulb? It is one of the silver dome shaped kinds. I just want to make sure that i understand this correctly. It says this bulb is self ballasted, what does this mean? And do they come stronger than a 100w? that is all that i have seen.
Thank you so much in advance for helping me.
Billie

New water dragon owner

Well, yes if it handles 250 watts, you should be fine. Just make sure its in a place that he cant get to! Also they do come in higher wattages, mines 150 watts. It depends on your enclosure size, if its 5-6 x 4 x 2-3, then Id go with the 150 watt. Its the only bulb I use. I have a basking bulb, but its seldomly needed, and when I do use it, it makes things too hot, so I dont keep it on for more then an hour.
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www.mplionhearts.com

Thank you so much for your reply. My cage will be 5x4x2 so i will go with the 150w. Where did you buy yours? I order from alot of catalogs and they only have a 100w that i see. Thanks

I think I got mine at LLLreptile.com
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www.mplionhearts.com

Thanks for the site. They are alot cheaper on there than anywhere else i have looked. One more question. Right now i have him in an aquarium. I leave on a red heat light all the time. What do you use at night. My house gets cool at night and if i didnt use anything it would be like 65 in the tank. Maybe i should use that during day. How many hours? And then i would have red bulbs for night? Thanks so much for your help

Well, first off, if you plan on keeping him in an aquarium right now, powersuns arent a good idea. For night heating, if it is needed, you can probably use ceramic heaters, just as long as theres no way he can touch it. I dont have a problem with night heating, and I've never used red lights or ceramic heaters, but I've heard they work.
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www.mplionhearts.com

I'm just trying to get his new cage in order. I dont want to waste money with things that i dont need. I cant wait to get him out of there into his big cage. Then hopefully i can get him a mate! Smile. I am pretty stressed because he is now total length about 18 inches. I think finding a mate for him and ensuring that it is a female will be a real challenge. Then i will have to keep her until she gets some size and make sure she is healthy. How big do they have to be before you can tell sex for sure?

I could tell the sex of mine at about 10 inches. It is pretty easy if you have one to compare it to.
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The hardest part is finding adult Female water dragons, its very very very very time consuming, I never was able to find one.
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www.mplionhearts.com