[oli]

Hey guys! I'm curious if anyone has any experience with implementing their naultinus with high pressure sodium or metal halide lamps opposed to or in addition to high output flourescent tubes during times that outdoor conditions are not optimal for the animals. I realize they burn hot, but they also give off good light and penetrate further into an enclosure and are more effective UV wise at greater distance that is a flourescent. Any info/experiences would be appreciated, thanks...

[Riverside Reptiles]

Oli, I've not used them for geckos. But I used Metal Halides with great success for tegus and monitors for many years. If you need any specific answers feel free to hit me up.

[hognose]

Oli,
I haven't used them with geckos but have used them quite a bit with my reef tanks. My completely uneducated gut response is that they'd be overkill for any close distance lighting such as typically used for geckos (It is great for some corals but can rapidly "burn" others depending on distance from the light). I'd imagine given a 6-8'+ high enclosure they would work very well though. I've recently shut down my reef tanks and have both 24" and 48" MH fixtures you can have for free (if one is the proper size, just pay for shipping). Happy to contribute to further the knowledge on the subject, I'd also be very curious if/how MH lighting can benefit certain gecko species.

Side note - my electricity bill went up ~$200 per month when I added the 48" fixture. Granted this is in cali where we get hosed but you should be prepared that MH lamps burn some serious power.


Chris

[Elizabeth Freer]

Interested in this thread, Oli & all .

[hognose]

Just recalled there is quite a bit of data out there comparing various lights used for Reef Aquariums (MH, T5, LED), some measuring the light underwater but some measure it based on distance from the bulb in air. I just did a search and found the following, but will search my archives as well.
Feature Article: Quantitative Comparison of Reef Aquarium Lighting Technologies: Metal Halide, T5 Fluorescent and LED | Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

Chris

[Chris3004]

Hi,

They provide a good amount of light while not generating too much heat (compared to other affordable techniques).

Given how a Naultinus tank is usually constructed, I think it's worthwile to try (small one, 35W). I used bigger ones outside on chilly days.

Cheers
Christian

[oli]

Chris, what are the wattages on those 2 fixtures? I was thinking of a hundred watt light as it's not too hot, and not overly bright. And yes, the last thing I need is more electricity as my bill is massive and my circuits are all close to maxed out!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Best way to keep the heat from being over whelming would be to use a light with a remote ballast. What's the enclosure like that you're planning on using Oli? An air cooled hood would help too, as well as provide you a way to redirect that heat via flexible dryer duct to somewhere that it could do you some good. It could all be attached to a thermostat as well to make sure that it doesn't over heat the naultinus enclosure.

[oli]

Damn Ethan, you sound like you have some experience with the use of HID lighting, very interesting. Where did you say you obtained all this knowledge of remote ballasts and air cooled bulbs??? Not a bad idea at all the thermostat one!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Oli, I worked with large herps way before I ever worked with geckos. Heating and lighting large enclosures was always an issue. HID lights cured both problems for me. I would imagine that LEDs would be a better course of action for a gecko enclosure though. Depending on the size and set up of your naultinus enclosure, you could build a LED board that would provide multiple lighting set-ups (ie. white for daytime/red for night), not put off much heat, provide uv, be cost efficient to run, and last a long time...as well as being controllable via timers/thermostat.