What wattage?

[LeoGirl1999]

I'm thinking about getting a Repta-Clamp Lamp with Switch from the Fluker's website, just to use for a black light at night to keep the temps right, since it's winter and gets a little chilly. But I wasn't quite sure what wattage bulb would be right for the 5.5" lamp. Does anyone know? Please and thank you

 

[Embrace Calamity]

What wattage you get depends on how much your temps need to be raised. It should say on the box the max wattage allowed for the 5.5" lamp, but it doesn't look like you can tell from the pic. =/

~Maggot

 

[JasonO80]

There should be a wattage rating for the housing so you don't exceed that amount with the bulb you use. After that you will need to determine how much extra heat you need generated by the bulb. If you don't need a ton of heat and just want it as a view bulb I would go with 40w or less. If you need it for heat I would suggest the CHE's and not a bulb.

 

[LeoGirl1999]

I don't need a TON of extra heat, just a little bit more. I really wish that it would say what wattage should be used. Do you think a 60 watt would be good?

 

[lisa127]

I would suggest using a 8.5 inch fixture as opposed to a 5.5 inch fixture. The 5.5 inch is such a narrow area that things do not get warm enough even with a higher wattage bulb. That has been my experience. Also, what wattage bulb you need depends on the ambient temp of your room, size of your enclosure, etc. For instance, my reptile room's ambient temperature is usually about 70 to 72 degrees, depending on time of day. My enclosure is a 20 gallon long. I do not use a UTH of any kind. I use black heat bulbs with slate tile underneath the heat lamp as a heat source. All I need to use is a 50 wattage black heat bulb that is set on the lowest setting with a rheostat. That keeps my cool side in the mid to upper 70's and the slate tile at a temp of 93 to 94 degrees. Things for you may be different however. You need to get an infrared temperature gun and test the temps for a while to find out what works for you.

 

[JasonO80]

I suggest going to a home improvement chain and getting the clamp lamps there. They normally have one that will take up to 150w for around $5. Which is about the limits of the reptile bulbs and CHE's they are plenty wide enough to cover an area needed for heating. If you are just trying to increase the temp slightly I would even suggest using a smaller bulb that 60w depending on the size of the enclosure. I currently have a 29 gallon tank set up with only a 100w bulb and it keeps the warm side at 90-92 and I have it raised off the screen lid of the tank.