Heat Lamp Question

[GLantern]

I have a 55 gallon tank and have been struggling getting the warm side to 90degrees since it is a tall tank. I have an under tank heater and it is keeping the warm hide and the tile just shy of 90. I also am running a 100watt red heat lamp. I can only get the air temp to around 85degrees Fahrenheit.

My question is this....the clamp lamp i purchased supports up to 150watts. So i want to try a 150watt bulb out and see how that works for the air temp. I have found some bulbs cheap from the local lowes but they are 250watts.

If i use a 250 watt bulb in a 150watt lamp will it make the bulb act like a 150watt bulb or will it burn it out? Thanks for the input.

 

[ElapidSVT]

the whole area doesnt' need to be 90F, just an area on the floor of the enclosure needs tto have a temp of 90F.
air temp does not matter if there's a place for the gecko to warm itself.

good luck,
rob

 

[ajveachster]

I don't think you need to use a bigger bulb. If your floor temp is in the 90s I think you will be good. Also, you don't want to use a bulb larger than what the fixture is rated for because that can cause a fire hazard. It can damage the ceramic or plastic housing for where the bulb screws in. If that gets damaged sometimes the bulb will not fit tightly causing bad contacts and shorts. Not to mention melting plastic is never a good thing.

 

[GLantern]

the whole area doesnt' need to be 90F, just an area on the floor of the enclosure needs tto have a temp of 90F.
air temp does not matter if there's a place for the gecko to warm itself.

good luck,
rob

Good to know thanks for the reply :main_thumbsup: I feel much better about the temperature in the cage now.


Aj-Thanks as well, i will not be trying the 250 watt then i don't want to burn the house down