Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got our uromastyx last month and have already gone through 2 heat lamp bulbs. Is this normal? We have been keeping it on for 12hr/day and using an exo terra 150watt bulb. What bulb do you normally use? How long do you keep it on? Do you use a night glo/heat glo as well? Any info would be appreciated.

You can try halogen lights - they burn very hot, so you can often get as much heat from a lower wattage bulb. Make sure you have a ceramic socket to hold it, though, since they are so hot.

Depending on your setup, you can do regular household bulbs. My cages are too deep, and the heat doesn't penetrate as well as a basking bulb or halogen.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

I have been using basking lights. My problem is that I've had the lizard for a month (using the light 12hr/day) and have already burnt out 2 bulbs. Do they normally burn out that fast?

I've had some burn out super fast and others that have lasted a long time. They are definitely less reliable than regular bulbs.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

They shouldnt burn out that fast.Are they all from the same store or chain?If they get a bad batch it may take awhile before they use them up and order more.Try a different store if you can.Thats what we did and havent had the problem.

No, they shouldn't burn out that fast.

I have had a problem where the socket (cone shaped thing with the metal reflector) I am using had a short in it and kept frying the bulbs, so that may be a problem as well. Make sure you are using one rated for the appropriate wattage, and heat, and make EXTRA sure they have a ceramic socket not a plastic one.

Just another thing to look at.

Congratulations on the new Uro!

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

I use Zoo -Med basking vulb and just replaced it yesterday. The one that was replaced lasted 3 months or so. I keep it on for 12 hours a day. Try changing brands and see what happens.
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

Thanks guys. I took the bulb back to the store today and got a new one. The clerk replaced it for free. The wattage checks out on the dome, and it is a ceramic/metal dome (no plastic). If this one burns out as well, I'll try another brand. Just a question: How long do you normally keep the lights on for the lizard? What's the normal length of a day in the desert?

12 to 13 hours. I have timers...buy a couple...it's the easiest way...just don't forget to feed them. Oh, another thing on bulbs...try to not move them while they are on. They are very brittle when hot.

I use heat lamps (125 wt) from Home Depot. This is to supplement heat with MVB bulbs. You could even get them at an electrical supply place. Halogens are good too.

I use the Zoo-Med 150's, and replace them every 4 months about. I tried the Zoo-Med halogen, and all three times I tried them, they burned out within 3 days. They're on disco now, though.
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April
1.0 Mali Uromastyx- Embrodak,
0.1 Saharan Uromastyx- Scheherazade
2.1 Mountain Horned Dragon- Beren, Luthien and Tinuviel
3.0.5 Hermit Crabs- Violet, Polly, Jennifer, Trogdor, Hedwig, Penelope and Sinistra
1.1 Five lined Skink- Leela and Fry
1.0 Bettas-Nuala