Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 4x2x2 beardie cage made from melamine. anyone use a halogen spotlight for a basking light? i heard they give off heat but too much? it says not to install in cabinets (i know that should mean "duh".... but for a reptile cage that needs the heat for basking???)

TIA
Marilee
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
1.1 Hamsters
1.2 Horses (Joey, Joi & Crystal)
0.2 Beta Fish

Halogen spot and floodlights are very popular for Bearded Dragons and other diurnal lizards.

Safety issues arise from them being used in improper fixtures or from fixtures being mounted on unsuitable cage materials.

Tell us more about the specific setup and/or post a picture if you're worried.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

The cage is 4x2x2 and made of melamine (cabinet material) it will have two acrylic sliding doors (about 3 1/2') it will have a hinged top for light maint. and cleaning. I had planned on attaching the light directly to the top of the cage. the light cames with a swivel light fixture. I will add some holes along the back of the cage for ventilation

Also what wattage for halogen (their wattage is way diff than i'm used to) 10 watt or larger?
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
0.1 Hamsters
2.2 Horses (Joey, Lady, Cherokee & Crystal)
2.0 Beta Fish

the light cames with a swivel light fixture.

So the light fixture came with instruction saying that it should not be mounted cabinets or in cabinets? What did it say about what/where they can be mounted?

My guess is that it will be fine.

Also what wattage for halogen (their wattage is way diff than i'm used to) 10 watt or larger?

You'll need much more than 10 watts. Halogen bulbs do get quite a bit hotter than standard bulbs, but 10 watts won't be enough for a cage this size.

When you say you're not used to the wattage, do you mean because halogens get hotter then regular bulbs or because these are low-voltage or something?

Or are you in a country that uses a specific voltage for halogen lamps?
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

the light cames with a swivel light fixture.

So the light fixture came with instruction saying that it should not be mounted under cabinets or in cabinets? What did it say about what/where they can be mounted?

My guess is that it will be fine.

Also what wattage for halogen (their wattage is way diff than i'm used to) 10 watt or larger?

You'll need much more than 10 watts. Halogen bulbs do get quite a bit hotter than standard bulbs, but 10 watts won't be enough for a cage this size.

When you say you're not used to the wattage, do you mean because halogens get hotter then regular bulbs or because these are low-voltage or something?

Or are you in a country that uses a specific voltage for halogen lamps?

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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

lmao...no I'm just blonde! I would normally use a 100 watt light bulb for the tank but I dont know what that would be compared to for a halogen. Or are they about the same? (as far as how much heat they put off)

Also it said not to install IN cabinets. But is that b/c they think it puts off to much heat? they had a mini spotlight 10watts and a larger one and darnit...i can't remember the watt!

Marilee
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
0.1 Hamsters
2.2 Horses (Joey, Lady, Cherokee & Crystal)
2.0 Beta Fish

Or are they about the same? (as far as how much heat they put off)

They are not the same but I don't remember just how much hotter halogens are. Regardless, halogen bulbs just vary a lot in general so you'll need to experiment.

Also it said not to install IN cabinets. But is that b/c they think it puts off to much heat?

Probably, but there will be more room for heat to disperse in a 4x2x2 cage.

they had a mini spotlight 10watts and a larger one and darnit...i can't remember the watt!

Are you sure these aren't for low-voltage fixtures?

If you can still return the fixture it might just be easier to start with the metal electric box and porcelain fixture.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

is the metal box necessary? if so...no biggie. I might just go with this b/c it seems a little easier. Just thought the halogen fixtures looked good...and your right i think they were low-watt fixtures.

Thank you..you've been tons of help!

Marilee
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
0.1 Hamsters
2.2 Horses (Joey, Lady, Cherokee & Crystal)
2.0 Beta Fish

I know little about the low-voltage fixtures. If this is your primary heat source for the cage you'll need regular line voltage.

is the metal box necessary?

You should really use it. Try to hide it with the upper lip of your cage if the looks concern you.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

.
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
0.1 Hamsters
2.2 Horses (Joey, Lady, Cherokee & Crystal)
2.0 Beta Fish

As I mentioned in my previous reply, I think a regular metal electric box screwed to the to of your cage with a porcelain fixture is the way to go.

This will allow mercury vapor bulbs (both externally ballasted and self-ballasted, I believe), ceramic heat emitters, and halogens.

I'm not sure if the fixture you have will allow for those options or not.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

you said there will be sliding acrylic doors? are they going to be on a standard glass track? i ask because beardies will scratch that acrylic so bad you wont be able to see through it.

if you planned on using acrylic on glass track i would suggest you go with glass. i know sometimes its easier to just go to home depot and buy some acrylic, and most people have never been to a glass shop but i think thats the way to go. ask for a pencil edge bevel, that will make the edge of the glass rounded.

just some suggestions
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1.1 Gargoyle geckos
1.1 leucistic leopard gecko
0.0.1 asian golden tree frog
1.0 oriental firebelly toad
0.1 european firebelly toad
1.0 albino betta
1.0 orange tabby
0.0.1 asian painted frog
1.0 broad headed skink
0.0.1 fowlers toad
1.1 red eyed tree frog
1.1 red eared sliders
476.769.47 feeder crickets

NP
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

.
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1.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae, Artimis & Papi)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
0.1 Hamsters
2.2 Horses (Joey, Lady, Cherokee & Crystal)
2.0 Beta Fish

The local Lowes around here ( CT ) has a glass cutting shop right in it.
Might make it a little easier. Although I'm sure your glass choices are limited.