If I understand correctly, you are considering using a 160watt UVB producing mercury vapor bulb and a halogen light? In my experience with any halogen light, they put out alot of heat...and are very bright. As your cage (I am assuming its 4' long, 2 feet wide and 18" high) isn't really tall enough to mount MVB UVB lights (most manufacturers recommend 16 to 18" above basking site) inside the cage, it definitely needs to be outside. But these lights do produce heat...and unless you are wanting to use it as the main heat source, 160watts really isn't necessary for a tank that size.

I would go with a 120 or 125 watt, or better yet use a UVB florescent tube (repti-glo or repti-sun 8.0 or 10.0) and mount it underside the top, this will ensure maximum coverage of UVB in the tank (make sure the fixture is at least 3' long...4' if it can fit inside the lip of the tank, one reason I prefer using cages bigger than the minimal floor space of 4'x2'. easier to find 4' fixtures and UVB bulbs, than 3' ones) and a regular incandescent flood/spot light type bulb of about 120 watts (if there is any screened walls or top to the tank. Or its kept in a cool room,)

If your tank is a glass aquarium, and the lights are all going to be mounted outside...and not resting directly ontop of a screen top, 160 watts may be necessary, as most of the heat will not get into the cage. One reason why I feel mounting lights outside a cage is a waste, as you lose most of your heat and UVB long before it even enters the cage.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

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