Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there a big difference between the dome fixtures that are made especially for reptiles and those that you can get at like Home Depot? I know one cost a lot more than the other. Input please.

they are the same thing. at k mart they are 5 dollars and at a pet store they are 13 dollars that is the only difference. pet stores are such a rip off arnt they?
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brandy

Just make sure the dome has the porclean top if you're going to put any wattage in it, or it melts in no time.

-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Okay, thanks. I think I'm going to go with a reptisun 5.0 and a halogen flood for heat. What do ya think? Do you think 45 watts is okay or should I try to get a little less wattage? I want to get the right temp. but not too hot...

I'm such a non-wattage guy. Temps are the important thing. The cool thing, is if you set up things right, temps can be finely tuned if you think of distances. Since the heat originates from a bulb, it's the distance from the bulb that usually determines the temps. Raise the bulb, lower the bulb, up the wattage, lower the wattage...it's so wide open. Invest in a thermameter with a "remote" pick up and move it around the tank , then record the temps on a sketch of the tank. Then you'll get a really good picture of the gradient. My belief is go with a hotter bulb and back it away. That way, during those cold days/nights, you have the ability to raise the heat without buying another bulb. Just my experience. HOpe this helps.

-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

I'm not sure that I completely understand the moving of the heat source up or down. If it is sitting on top of the mesh top, how do you move it up or down?
Do you think it would be better to go with a zoomed 150W basking spot bulb rather than a halogen for heat? LLL Reptile has these for like $7. I would imagine the halogen would put out lots of heat but I wonder about how much power it would take.
Also, does many people use nightlight lamps (15W ESU) for at night for heat and/or viewing? Does it hurt to use these at night so you can see the animal?
Sorry for so many questions, I am just trying to get this all figured out

as much as it is a pain in the rear end, you really will just have to play with the bulbs and the temps. there is no set formula since air conditioning, drafts etc, all play into the temp of the tank. in my personal set ups, i would think 45 watts would be low for a basking bulb, but for you it might work.
i don't know much about the zoo-med bulb but 150 watts seems really high.
as for raising and lowering the bulb, some people use lamp stands but it would be a little difficut to raise a bulb sitting on the wire tops. i have had to dismantle aka lower the basking spot before.
it is a pain but don't get discouraged. your uro will really appreciate it.
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

I put my dome under the wire top with the cord going through it. That way I can lower it if need to raise the basking temps. You can also wire in a reostat so that you can "dial" the temps to whatever you need. That way a bigger wattage bulb can be "partially" used, and turned up when needed.
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

I used a night light for years, and it did not appear to impact the Uro particularly. The important thing is keeping the temps at an appropriate level. Because I keep my house quite cool, I needed a 75w light bulb on at night to keep the tank temps from dipping too far. Then during the day I would leave the night light on, and add the UVB light, and a 100w - 150w basking bulb (depending on winter or summer). This was the set up I had with a 40 gallon breeder tank. About a year ago I switched to a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) because they last longer, and I have the Uros "days" set up to end when I go to bed anyway, so seeing them at night was not really a concern of mine.

Getting the Uros set up is definitley trial and error. The best tool you can use is a good temp gun (radio shack - about $25) or a thermometer with a remote sensor (walmart $10).

Good Luck and keep asking questions!

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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'm not sure that I completely understand the moving of the heat source up or down. If it is sitting on top of the mesh top, how do you move it up or down?
>>Do you think it would be better to go with a zoomed 150W basking spot bulb rather than a halogen for heat? LLL Reptile has these for like $7. I would imagine the halogen would put out lots of heat but I wonder about how much power it would take.

A 45 watt halogen will use 70% less power than a 150 watt bulb. Watt for watt halogens are about 10% more efficient than incandescent lights, of course fuorescents are a lot more efficient than that (which is why they run a lot cooler)

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Mike Wilson
mwilson@fuu.net