Lighting for l williamsi

[SusannahJoy]

Hi! I have some l. williamsi coming, and I'm having a really hard time getting temps and stuff right, it's either too hot or too cold. I have the repti sun "tropical" light (for the UV), and then a spot light for a basking spot. I've tried regular light bulbs, 75w heat bulbs, and 50w heat bulbs. The regular ones are too cold, and the heat bulbs are too hot. What do you guys use?

 

[Renster]

Wouldnt it be an idea to have the Hotter bulb on a dimmer stat or a stat of sorts? That way you could reduce the output of the hotter bulb until the needed temp was reached? or would a stat just blow the bulb.......

 

[SusannahJoy]

hmm, I could try that... How much do the dimmer things cost though?

 

[WingedWolfPsion]

You can pick up an on/off thermostat for $40 from Big Apple Herp, and use it to control a heat pad, cord, or panel. That will solve the issue regardless of lighting. I'm using a heat cord on a t-stat to keep mine cozy.

 

[HepCatMoe]

depending on how big your cage is, its not too big of a problem if your basking spot is too hot.

whats most important is having a temperature gradient.

however if its still too hot another idea is just to lift your heat bulb away from the cage.

 

[WingedWolfPsion]

My geckos show signs of snuggling up to the heat cord when the air temp in the cage is under 80F (happens occasionally, as the temp in the room is uneven). They haven't shown any behavioral changes when the hot spot is as high as 90F, so I think they're good in that range. I was told to use an 85 F hot spot, but it doesn't seem that a higher temp hot spot does harm.