What bulb to use?

Airedale · #1 01-14-2011, 07:07 PM

So, my lygos are in a 10 gallon aquarium and would be doing fine, except the bulb I have is a UV bulb and gives off almost no heat. What bulb kind of bulb would give the best spectrum lighting (UVA/UVB and infrared (heat) for my lygos, but without drying out the viv extremely quickly? I have a screen cover on top, with one half covered with plastic wrap to keep in humidity, and it works, but not the best. Any suggestions on keeping humidity in would be appreciated too. Give me brands, type (halogen, flourescent, incandescent, etc), wattage, and any info you can. I have a dome, so I can't use strip lights. Thanks!

Sinosauropteryx · #2 01-15-2011, 06:37 PM

I use a mercury vapour bulb for my green basilisk. The Brand is called "Mega Ray" and I think it is made by Hagen. It does a pretty good job on its own if the ambient air temperature in the surrounding room isn't too low.

I am wondering, though, whether Lygodactylus geckos really need UV rays...aren't they nocturnal?

Airedale · #3 01-15-2011, 06:55 PM

No, Lygodactylus are diurnal. They are really entertaining to watch run around in under the heat.

Sinosauropteryx · #4 01-16-2011, 06:00 PM

Oh OK. Guess I should have known that after seeing their name in a day gecko forum

Anyway, I hope the mercury vapour bulb works out for you. If it doesn't, you can always try a compact fluorescent combined with an infra-red heat bulb

hexentanz · #5 01-17-2011, 03:56 AM

I use 5.0 UVB bulbs as my main source of UVB for my geckos. I like to pair it with a 2.0 bulb as this provides nice daylight color for them. For heat sources I use 20watt halogen bulbs from lucky reptile (i usually use one per tank, but if the tank is large I use two), but you can also find these from osram or phillips. If you buy a halogen bulb by any other company than lucky reptile it is important to make sure it is not a cold front bulb as these are designed to put the heat away from the source that is to be lit and focus it upwards.

I would steer away from the mercury bulb, these often get far too hot and are designed more for larger enclosures.

Sinosauropteryx · #6 01-17-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexentanz

I would steer away from the mercury bulb, these often get far too hot and are designed more for larger enclosures.

And larger lizards

Yes, the UVB input can be quite powerful for smaller lizards. I hadn't really thought of that. If you only want a small amount of UVB, then it looks like you might need to combine a 5.0 fluorescent with a heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter. That is one thing I don't like as much about fluorescents - very little heat.

hexentanz · #7 01-17-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinosauropteryx

And larger lizards

Yes that is also true. I always forget that part since I do not own any large lizards.

Airedale · #8 01-17-2011, 06:09 PM

Yeah, all I have is a UV bulb right now. And half the time the lizards are upside down on the screen lid trying to get as close to it as they can. I need to take care of this.

Mantisdragon91 · #9 01-17-2011, 06:16 PM

I'd recomend 20 Watt Halogen puck lights as can be found at home depot and lowes. They produce alot of localized heat for the wattage used as well as UVB if you remove the glass shield and all for around $5 each. Hard to beat.

hexentanz · #10 01-17-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantisdragon91

I'd recomend 20 Watt Halogen puck lights as can be found at home depot and lowes. They produce alot of localized heat for the wattage used as well as UVB if you remove the glass shield and all for around $5 each. Hard to beat.

Ah HA I always forget about the puck lights sold in the states.

I would recommend btw not to remove the glass in a halogen bulb as the UV emitted from these bulbs can cause radiation burns in the eyes, hence the protective glass. Not to mention these bulbs sometimes have a tendency to explode when they die. Wouldn't want glass shards flying at your geckos.