Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading the lighting thread. I looked up this lamp, but it has several variations in the wattage I can use. Specifically, OSRAM HQI-DE70/WDX and OSRAM HQI-DE70/NDX $50.00. Is one preferable over the other? Should I go for higher wattage, such as the OSRAM HQI-DE-150/WDX $39.95 or is this one not as good in some way? I've never researched the Osram lamps, sorry. Plus I can see right now that the thinkinking is that my 60 gallon tank is far too small, right?

Roger

Hello Roger

Ingo will probably give you more competent answer, but here's my opinion:
Osram HQI-DE70WDX has somewhat higher luminous flux (average of 4300lm) and average rated life of 10 000 hours, while HQI-DE70NDX has luminous flux of 3800lm (mean value)and expected life of 8 000 hours. Another difference is colour temperature - HQI-DE70WDX has colour temp. of 3000K (which is "warmer", more yellowish light, while HQI-DE70NDX has colour temp. of 4000K (which gives impression of more natural light,"daylight". Both lamps have pretty decent colour rendering index (CRI) of around 80.
For the tank of your size 1 70W HQI lamp would be OK in combination with 3-4 18-20W fluorescent tubes. If the temperaure on hot spot is still to low, you might add one lower-wattage halogen spotlight (say, 35-50W).

Well we'lll see when I get the HQL. I already have tank over-temperature problems the way it's set up now, with a 75 watt A-type bulb at one end, on a thermostat, and two domes standing on top with A-type 75 watt lamps in each, off-thermostat. They have an 18 inch ReptiSun 5.0 hanging down near the floor of the cage, for UVB. I want high light along with a warm and a cool end. I think I'm going to have to build a larger wood/glass cage. From what I read, I have the best chance of my 1,1 pair to breed if I use Osram lamps. BTW this pair were eggs last March, so they are still pretty small.

On hot days I put plastic gallon-size bottles of frozen water in the tank so they can pick their temperature.

roger