Heat lamps and incandescent bulbs

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:22 am

I have read here many times that the suggested bulb is the moon-glo type. I recently went to the petstore and bought 2 incandescent bulbs because my UTH was not providing enough heat to keep my 20L tank at an optimal temp... it was dropping to around 65 by morning. I bought a red one and a blue one. I've found the red one really keeps the temp up where I want it, but also dries the air a bit. The blue keeps it more humid but causes condensation (oddly enough even when the humidity reads only 75%). So.... Ive been using the red one during the day and the blue one at night. This seems to cause a more "natural" cycle of warmth (although a bit dry) during the day, and slightly cooler temps at night with a bit of condensation in the morning, like dew. Overall, my temp and humidity are good, although fluctuating just slightly between day and night.My question is this... I dont think Ive ever seen anyone one here mention using the red heat bulbs... is there any reason I shouldn'e be using this??

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:07 am

I saved the packages and just went to check...One is a 60 watt "Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb" and the other is a 75 watt "Night Glo" bulb. Yeah, the night one is not very bright even though its 75 watts, and purple-ish in color. I was thinking this was close to a natural cycle and safe, but I just wasnt sure about the red reptile bulb since it says its for heat... even though that IS what Im using it for. I didnt want to cook my crabbies... but the temp is staying steady around 76 degrees during the day, only dropping to about 73 at night.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:16 am

I heated my 20L tank last winter with only one 15 watt moonglo light. I am using a 75 watt moonglo in my 75 gallon tank on a thermostat now. 75 watts seems pretty high wattage for only a 20 gallon. Is your temp gauge accurate? I know that analog ones aren't always accurate even if new. I recommend a digital TOM one that's inexpensive at petdiscounters.com.

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 3:24 pm

I actually have 2 guages and have put them both in just to be sure they are reading the same... they appear to agree when in the same location. Outside of where the light shines, its obviously a bit cooler, and warmer in the direct lighted area. 75 watts was all they had at the time, and I thought that might be appropriate for that size tank, but maybe its too much...? I'll watch closely for a while and see how it goes. The crabs seem more active now though... hope thats a good sign.But, now that you mention it, I will get a digital guage just to be safe.

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:29 am

I thought 75 watts was a little high for 20g tank...I use a 60 watt for my 75g tank. Maybe getting a lover wattage light would help keep the humidity up, too.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:59 am

I'm not using lighting yet but I'd like to. What is everyone using for hardware? Bendable desk lamps aimed at the tank sides? Lighted tank covers? Are your bulbs like small nightlights or standard bulbs?I have a 10g and a 15g side by side. Could I set something between them so I don't need two of everything?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:38 pm

I use a regular fish tank hood, you can also get these hooks that are made to hang lamps from reptile tanks, i suppose you could use those?

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:01 pm

I am using a desk (architechs) lamp for the night-glo bulb and a clamp on lamp that I bought at the petstore for the red heat bulb.The bulbs are the same size as regular light bulbs, but you get them in the reptile area of a petstore, and they are incandescent. I forget who makes them but I will go look at my packages (I saved them) and let you know.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:22 am

Ren, I love the pics of your 20L. Just a couple of ?'s. Do you have the light on the same side as your UTH? and is that EE on one side and sand on the other? I am trying tho get my 20L balanced for het and humid. The temp outside keeps fluctuating so I cannot just heat the whole house!

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:59 am

Dan, I have my UTH on the left side, bottom-mounted. It's the size for 20gal tanks but it just wasnt keeping the tank warm enough. I left it turned on even after adding the lamps because I was afraid someone would bury themselved over it if I turned it off and then later found I needed it back on for some reason... then I would have had cooked-crabbies! My red heat bulb is actually pointed toward the opposite (right) end of my tank.That is EE on the left, play sand on the right, and it has since begun to mix in the middle with crabs digging in it, me cleaning, etc. The red heat bulb really dries the air, so I only have it turned on for about 5 hours a day. That keeps the temp up, and my home-made humidifier keeps the air moist (up to 80% when the red bulb is not on, about 73% when it is). Right now I'm using my night-glo bulb on my ISO, but I normally have that on the main tank all night long. My temp runs about 72 degrees through the night and about 79 degrees during the day. Many recommend keeping your temp and humidity more consistent, but I'm trying a "natural" approach... attempting to simulate the conditions the crabs might encounter in the wild with more surface warmth during the day, and slightly cooler nights... which actually causes moisture like dew in the morning.I don't know how successful this will be over a long period of time, but my crabs seem really happy and active right now. They molt like crazy, they climb, they eat, dig... everything.It takes some 'trial and error' to get things just right for your tank. What works for me may not work for you. I will get a few more recent photos and put them up. I've been meaning to get more pics of my crabs anyways. Thanks for the kick in the pants.Edited because somedays I forget which is my right hand, and which is my left... duhhh...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:00 pm

I have a 30g tank and I am using a 36" ESU Combo Light with 2 75 watt bulbs. It is over the tank screen and I am able to keep it at 77-80 deg. I regulate it with a Zoo Med thermostat. Hope this helps.