Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone has had problems with fluorescent lights putting off to much heat? I am asking cause I have 2 cages that are 3`l x 2`w x 18"h, I cant get the temps right and when I used my temp gun to see the temp of the fluorescent bulb was 120 degrees. So I think that is why I cant get the right temp. I was thinking about using one of the new ReptiSun compacts,but I dont know if that would put off alot of heat.
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Thanks Steve
Owner of:
2.1 Bearded Dragons
0.1 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0 Veiled Chameleon
1.1 Mali Uros
Brazilian White Knee Trantula
www.home.wi.rr.com/stevesreptiles

I get similar readings off of fluorescent fixtures but it's only in a very isolated area where the ballast is housed.

Tube bulbs are better than the screw in type from what I understand so you can always wire the ballast on the outside of the cage if it's that big of a problem.

Still, I can't imagine the ballast is heating up a significant part of the cage. Or is it?
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Depending on if the Florescent tube fixture is mounted inside or outside the cage temperatures will vary. I use a digital probe to record daily variations and temp gun for hot stop reading.
With my Melamine & Vision setups the florescents are keeping ambient @ 74f - 82f range in 4 x 2, 5 x 2 Melamine (inside light fixture mounting) and Visions #432 about the same. This allows me the luxury of using 50 Watt spot lights for basking area. Basking spots air temps are 92f - 102f.
If you are using glass tanks the heat may concentrate in certain areas so you may want to use both digital & temp gun for 24 hr readings. It is the ballast and starter on tube fixtures that put out heat, sometimes the use of two florescent bulbs will add to temps also.