trouble with temperature control

[Baloo]

Over a week ago I had no trouble reaching 26c/79f to 83f/28.5c during the day. But now I can't seem to break 76f as the temperature outside is around 40f on a sunny afternoon and room temperature in the house is around 68f at night. My room mate pays the power but I'm thinking to get the heat on at least in my pacman room to warm them up. I have my dimmer all the way up on a 50w white basking bulb. I almost think a red would be better or a 75w, but I don't want to over heat them. ( I just checked temperature before I turned the bulb on this morning and it was 65.8f)

[Mentat]

Going to a higher wattage bulb will help; but you have to consider if the light fixture will handle it. Also, using a manual rheostat or automatic thermostat in enclosure will help manage the higher watt output bulb. Finally watch your humidity as you raise the heat from a bulb because they are inversely related.

[Baloo]

Thanks. My Flukers 5.5 has a 75w maximum but I'm using the other on his enclosure now. The All Living Things 8.5" which has a max of 150w. I'll try this weekend to get some 75w's. The humidity hasn't been much of a problem. I have a big 1 gallon sprayer, the type that are normally used for gardens :-) its quite good and humidity is at lowest in 70's but I got no problem getting it to 80's and up as needed. My room mate was mentioning a red bulb which she was against for the longest while because she was afraid of them drying out. But a higher white bulb should do it, I'll just be careful.

[maxQ]

Im running a Fuker 150w with a dimmer switch, I'm achieving the temps I need but Im having issues getting my humidity up to where it should be, I have my whole top covered and still cant get there.

[Mentat]

Problem with white bulb is that you should not run 24 hours while a red bulb or ceramic heat emitter can be run 24 hours. In a cold room you might want to use one of the latter 2 because the temp drop at night might be to high otherwise.

[maxQ]

Problem with white bulb is that you should not run 24 hours while a red bulb or ceramic heat emitter can be run 24 hours. In a cold room you might want to use one of the latter 2 because the temp drop at night might be to high otherwise.

Is a heat emitter better than a red bulb Heater?

[Baloo]

Well I'm using an Exo Terra temp/humidity digital reader, I seem to be doing good on humidity if this thing is right. It says 85%. Maybe for the winter I should use a red bulb, night and day, what with the temperature drop being significant at night.

[maxQ]

Well I'm using an Exo Terra temp/humidity digital reader, I seem to be doing good on humidity if this thing is right. It says 85%. Maybe for the winter I should use a red bulb, night and day, what with the temperature drop being significant at night.

That's the issue, how do you know its accurate, I have the same thing you have, plus another digital reader by Lifetime Aquatics and an Analog all in the same tank just to get a comparison and every one is giving me a very different reading.

[BerDip]

What about tube/strip lights for racks? Whats a good tube light to use if your going to set up a rack that needs temps around 75-85? I see a lot of different lights but im not sure which ones would be best. Also, do they make red tube bulbs? Wheres a good place to order from?

[BerDip]

That's the issue, how do you know its accurate, I have the same thing you have, plus another digital reader by Lifetime Aquatics and an Analog all in the same tank just to get a comparison and every one is giving me a very different reading.

Someone just referred me to these little babies. I just got them in and haven't calibrated them yet to give um a try.
Amazon.com - Quality Importers HygroSet II Round Digital Hygrometer for Humidors

[Mentat]

Is a heat emitter better than a red bulb Heater?

Advantage of Ceramic Heat Emitters is their durability compared to incandescent bulbs .

What about tube/strip lights for racks? Whats a good tube light to use if your going to set up a rack that needs temps around 75-85? I see a lot of different lights but im not sure which ones would be best. Also, do they make red tube bulbs? Wheres a good place to order from?

Fluorescent tubes are efficient light producers but give very little heat. If setting up a rack with same temperature for all enclosures; myself would study available cable and heat tape systems and decide in a pro-sumer controller rated for total wattage .

[BerDip]

Advantage of Ceramic Heat Emitters is their durability compared to incandescent bulbs .


Fluorescent tubes are efficient light producers but give very little heat. If setting up a rack with same temperature for all enclosures; myself would study available cable and heat tape systems and decide in a pro-sumer controller rated for total wattage .

Cable and heat tape? Pro sumer controller? Your gona have to dumb that down for me a little. Might you have a link i can read up on? I wouldn't have the slightest clue where to look for that.