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how much would a 15watt bulb raise the temp of a 24x 12x18 inch tank?

13.4 Deg F.

Just kidding.

Depends on the room temp, the amount of ventilation on top, where the bulb is placed, how much substrate is in the tank, etc, etc, etc,etc. Plus, where do you want to measure the temp? On the floor of the cage? Midway up?

In general, for an empty tank with a screen top and the bulb on top in a reflector in a room that is 72 deg, and measuring the temp at the bottom 1/3 of the cage, a 15W bulb will do very little heating.

In an insulated cage with the bulb inside the cage, a 15W bulb can heat the cage nicely. Aquarium glass doesn't insulate well. Putting insulations on the sides and back helps.

Mark

>>how much would a 15watt bulb raise the temp of a 24x 12x18 inch tank?

Simply apply newtons differential equation for heating and cooling where dT/dt=C(Ta-Tb) where C is the heating coeficient of air

On a more serious note, the other dude is right.

i can do newtons differantial equation. but that doesnt accomodate for heat loss.