Heatlamp question

[StephenLS]

Hi there!

Ceramic bulbs get super hot. You would be better off using a heatmat and if totally necessary and infra red light mounted outside the tank attached to a thermostat.

You also need to consider if the lamp is going to heat up any metal screening that the frog could access as it may burn itself!

Personally I use a couple of high wattage heat mats on tanks requiring a lot of heat ..... but I guess it depends on how cold it is here you live?

Ta

Steve

[John]

I agree with Stephen - a ceramic heat bulb is almost certainly overkill for frogs, unless you have a massive terrarium. If you do use one, ensure you use a ceramic fixture for the bulb, or you will melt the fixture itself and possibly cause a fire. Also, be aware that different fixtures have different watt ratings - don't use a bulb of a wattage above what the fixture is rated for.

[Crystal6]

I agree with Stephen - a ceramic heat bulb is almost certainly overkill for frogs, unless you have a massive terrarium. If you do use one, ensure you use a ceramic fixture for the bulb, or you will melt the fixture itself and possibly cause a fire. Also, be aware that different fixtures have different watt ratings - don't use a bulb of a wattage above what the fixture is rated for.

Again, cage is http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Terr...3672753&sr=1-1

Would that be too small a cage to use a ceramic bulb on?

My house is very cold. Like... northern Maine in the dead of winter cold. I'm currently relying on a regular heat bulb but that produces light and if I turn it off my frog becomes very inactive sorta like he's hibernating until I turn it back on.

Thus the light is on 24/7 which I hear is unhealthy and people suggested I get a ceramic bulb.

Thus bringing me to the point where I am now. *full circle* So 150 watt then? Not a huge fire hazard? (The lamp is advertised as being a ceramic heat lamp so I think it will be okay. I plan to have the cage on a table by it's self.)

[John]

That link doesn't work.

[Crystal6]

http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Terr...3672753&sr=1-1

O_O Huh. lets try again.

[Tropicok]

I use ceramic heat lamps on my tortoises but the shield gets very, VERY hot and I would never use it on a terrarium. When I got my frogs I bought several different size regular light bulbs and tried different ones until the small inexpensive thermometer in the tank registered the temperature I wanted (75 - 78 deg.) When we had the cold, windy blizzard I wrapped heat tape (flex-tape) on two sides of the dumpy tank glass. Didn't look pretty but it works and the dumpy frog moves from warm to cool as he prefers. The tiger-legged TF has a small piece of heat tape on the glass behind his favorite sleeping plant. I use a 40 watt light bulb on top the screen in the day time. The bombina get a aquarium light in hood over tank. No UV bulbs, please. All lights are turned off at night. Hint: I prowl the local reptile store's bargain bin for heat lamps, heat tapes, bowls, etc. and pick up extre pieces of things I may need. Don't be a hoarder, but be selective. Always test to make sure electrical works before buying. Garage sales and Craig's List often list heaters, bigger tanks, hoods and so forth.

[John]

That terrarium isn't big enough to need a ceramic heat bulb. I'd just use an incandescent bulb.