Heat Lamp

[crs]

My heat lamp is a 250 watt max lamp. I just bought a 100 watt incadescent bulb and I put it into the 250 watt lamp for my leo and it started smelling bad, should this happen and could this hurt her? What should I do?

 

[leolover2]

I really dont know if it's bad or not but all the heat lamps ive seen didnt smell with a 100 watt bulb.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I can't explain the smell, but a 250 watt lamp just means it can handle anything up to that.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Loose the heat lamp and go with an under tank heater, thats best for heating leos, they need the belly heat for digestion etc..,

 

[geckofreak570]

do what jason said

 

[ZombieDharma]

Jason has the idea.....First try the UTH and see how that does though. Only use the lamp to suppliment it. what you could do if you wanted to though.... if your room gets especially cold in the winter.... low 60s or so... get a blue, red, or black incondesent bulb and use it for additional heat. (They don't see those colors) It should heat it up 5-10 degrees.

 

[crs]

My point is is that I have to have it in the basement and the basement is like the upper 50's and I have been using the heat lamp with a UTH. The heat lamp's bulb blew out so I got another the same day and it started smelling.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

My point is is that I have to have it in the basement and the basement is like the upper 50's and I have been using the heat lamp with a UTH. The heat lamp's bulb blew out so I got another the same day and it started smelling.

That isnt normal, I would try to exchange it.

 

[MichaelJ]

Loose the heat lamp and go with an under tank heater, thats best for heating leos, they need the belly heat for digestion etc..,

100% Agreed !

Heat lamps can raise the entire tank far higher than necessary and can cause burns. Plus ambient heat isn't as important as belly heat.

:main_thumbsup:

if it's 50 degrees in the basement I'd probably move them but otherwise I would definitely exchange the bulb. You don't want a fire or something from a MFG malfunction.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I understand how it is only being able to keep it in the basement of your house. My opinion is, if you have the belly heat (which you do), there is nothing wrong with a heat lamp for some extra heating. With that being said, it should be a red, blue, or black light so you do not stress it out. Also I wouldn't go much higher than 75 watts. If you keep that 100 watt bulb, I would maybe raise it a little above the tank so it doesn't get too hot in certain areas.

 

[NaughtyDawg]

I think a 100 watt bulb is a little overkill. Have you tried the ceramic ones that do not give off any light, and they last a LOT longer.

Why belly heat? Is this just a preference or is there a reason?

Those UTH I have found get quite hot. Anyone I have used get the bottom of the tank over 100 degrees which then require a thermostat....

 

[NaughtyDawg]

How do i delete this

 

[ReptileMan27]

I think a 100 watt bulb is a little overkill. Have you tried the ceramic ones that do not give off any light, and they last a LOT longer.

Why belly heat? Is this just a preference or is there a reason?

Those UTH I have found get quite hot. Anyone I have used get the bottom of the tank over 100 degrees which then require a thermostat....

UTHs are the best thing for heating leos, belly heat is important for digestion etc..., its much better for them then overhead heat:main_thumbsup:

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I think a 100 watt bulb is a little overkill. Have you tried the ceramic ones that do not give off any light, and they last a LOT longer.

Why belly heat? Is this just a preference or is there a reason?

Those UTH I have found get quite hot. Anyone I have used get the bottom of the tank over 100 degrees which then require a thermostat....

Like Jason said, they need belly heat for digestion. They are so low to the ground that they barely even get the air temp. You are heating the 90% of the tank that does not matter. A thermostat is deffinately a good idea with a UTH. Yeah, it gets costly, but it is what they need. Plus the fact, the need a hot end and cold end. Using a light, you are merely heating the space of the tank and there will not be a good heat gradient.