Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I asked a question a few posts down about window screening filtering out UV rays from my light. It turned out the screening wouldn't work anyway, so now I have the light sitting on top of the hole with out the screen. What I have though, is a Powersun 100W mercury vapor bulb. The MVB puts off heat as well as the UV rays, but the heat is a little more intense that I wanted. Is there any way to control the heat a little better? (I'm not sure if the thermostats I use for my python cages work for lights).

Secondly, my argentine B&W tegu, Sobek, it still tiny. STV he's around 5-6". I have him in a sterilite container thats 90Q I think. Its 31"L x 12"H x 12"W. I have around 4-5" of cypress mulch in the bottom so I think he may be too close to the light?Should I just buy a different bulb for him for now and save the powersun until he's in a larger cage? If so, what bulb(s) would you reccomend? The powersun was what I was told to buy when I got him from the breeder.

Thanks so much!

~Caietaro

Hello there first what watt bulb do you have? If you can then go to a smaller bulb and that should do it. If you already have the smallest one then you have a few choices. You could buy a flourescent fixture and UVB bulb to run in conjunction with a smaller spot light basking type lamp. Or you could try to raise your lamp a little higher to reduce the temp.
I have heard that you can buy rheostats and hook them to lights to regulate temps as well but I have never tried it. Good luck I hope you are able to figure it out. If you do change bulbs out though save that MVB bulb. You will use it later. They are great bulbs I use them as well. Good luck
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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow

I have the 100W bulb, as far as I know its the smallest wattage the Powersun bulbs come in. I think I might see if I can put some egg crating (like the kind used in light fixtures) over the hole in the cover, and hang the light from the ceiling so its a few inches above the cover.

I would first suggest that you get a temp gun to accurately check your temperatures. It is an invaluable tool for those that keep heat-loving herps. I use PowerSun bulbs myself and have doubts that your temps are too high with a 100 watt. I have the 100 watt bulbs within 10 inches of my Desert Iguanas and Uromastyx.

Secondly, you cannot put a MVB on any kind of dimmer or Rheostat. Your best bet is to move your lamp higher in some way. Good luck with your Tegu!

Hey man I just went down and read your other posts. If your temps are around 105 hot side and 75 cool side then you are golden. Your temps are right were they need to be. NOw then the only problem would be if your lamp was laying on the substrate. But if I remember you correctly you said it was bout 12 inches away from the top of the substrate right? Well if that is the case you are set. Your basking side is fine but you also have a side that is cool enough. I was thinking your temps were alot higher than that when I read your posts. Sorry about your confusion and mine. But with what I read it would sound to me like you are right were you needed to be with out moving or adjusting your light at all. As long as your tegu is not jumping at the light then you have no worries.
I hope this helps you out. I also noticed that someone suggested a temp gun to you in one of the other posts. I would have to agree I do not know how I survived before I got mine. You can order one from Pro Exotics listed all over this site for like 25.00 Hey it will be the best investment in the health of your tegu you ever make. I love mine I use it every day. I also found all sorts of uses for it outside of reptiles. Good luck
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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow

Thanks so much for all the help! I was just worried that 105F would be a little much for my little fella. I've been thinking about investing in the temp gun for a while now, I just like to procrastinate I think I'll have to put in an order for one here pretty soon.

again, thanks for the help...I'll try and get some pics of Sobek soon

NO prob...
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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow