heat bulbs

[josephz]

What heat bulb should I use for my 18 x 18 x 24 red eyed tree frog tank? 75 watts isn't making it hot enough, it seems. I've heard that night time bulbs can be left on all day, but they give of a red light that doesn't provide a good day and night cycle. Any help?

[glutes]

What temperature are you trying to achieve?


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[jasonm96]

A 75W bulb should be too much if anything, usually 25W should be sufficient. How and where are you taking your temperature readings? You should use a digital thermometer on a branch/basking spot closest to the bulb, so a few inches away from the light. Don't use analogue thermometers as these will measure the ambient air temperature and not the basking spot temp. Night bulbs can be used but will need to connected to a dimming thermostat so the night temperatures can be set lower than the day time temperatures, a night time drop is important for all animals. Fluorescent lamps and preferably a UVB will provide the day and night cycle.

[josephz]

Oh, okay, thanks. I'll work on getting the digital thermometer and the fluorescent lamp. However, I went out today and got a heating pad. The heater is the Reptitherm UTH for 30-40 gallon tanks. Before I turn it on, I just want to know if it will be okay.

[jasonm96]

I'd suggest a 5% UVB for the lighting. A heating pad would work well on the side connected to a thermostat (otherwise it may burn the frogs) but underneath it doesn't do much, as the frogs are arboreal and would go the floor to cool down and not warm up. The fluorescent lighting will give off some heat too.

[josephz]

Thank you! However, how would I connect a thermostat to the heating pad?

Edit: Never mind lol. I should have just read the box.

[jasonm96]

Haha, no bother! Put the thermostat and digital thermometer probe inside the viv directly on top of the glass where the heat pad is to control it's temperature. A heat lamp won't be necessary if you're using one. Fluorescent lighting will provide the ambient temperatures and the heat pad will create a hot spot. For viewing the tree frogs at night I'd switch to a LED moonlight if you can find one, as these don't disturb the night time temps and allow for better viewing than incandescents. It's probably best not to use heat lamps with Red Eyes anyway, it dries out the air too much.