Can you use a regular flood bulb for a heat lamp?

[Tortoise MasterMan]

I have tried to buy heat bulbs before, and it is super confusing. Is there a good bulb (Not Mercury Vapor) that can be used for russians? I have heard that you can use regular flood bulbs as a heat lamp. Does anyone have any specific flood bulbs that they know work?

Thanks!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Take a look at these bulbs here.

https://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-emitter/halogen-heat-lamp-100-watt/

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

Thanks. It looks like it might fit my lamp.

 

[Tom]

Take a look at these bulbs here.

https://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-emitter/halogen-heat-lamp-100-watt/

Halogens are extremely desiccating and contribute to pyramiding. I would never use one over a tortoise.

 

[Tom]

I have tried to buy heat bulbs before, and it is super confusing. Is there a good bulb (Not Mercury Vapor) that can be used for russians? I have heard that you can use regular flood bulbs as a heat lamp. Does anyone have any specific flood bulbs that they know work?

Thanks!

I use regular 65 watt floods from the hardware store. Phillips or Sylvania. I buy them in 6 or 12 packs so I always have extras on hand. Adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. You can also go higher or lower wattage as needed to get the correct temp under your bulb.

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

Thanks for the info. Bulbs, in my opinion, are the most confusing part of tortoise keeping.

 

[MichiganMan]

Thanks for the info. Bulbs, in my opinion, are the most confusing part of tortoise keeping.

But your name is the Tortoise Masterman!

 

[Danny Graham]

I have tried to buy heat bulbs before, and it is super confusing. Is there a good bulb (Not Mercury Vapor) that can be used for russians? I have heard that you can use regular flood bulbs as a heat lamp. Does anyone have any specific flood bulbs that they know work?

Thanks!

Ceramic heat lamp

 

[Danny Graham]

Ceramic heat lamp

I ordered a 2 pack from Amazon 100watt $21.46 including shipping

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

But your name is the Tortoise Masterman!

And now the master has become the student.

 

[William Lee Kohler]

Before Ceramics I used Red Flood lights for heating.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I have tried to buy heat bulbs before, and it is super confusing. Is there a good bulb (Not Mercury Vapor) that can be used for russians? I have heard that you can use regular flood bulbs as a heat lamp. Does anyone have any specific flood bulbs that they know work?

Thanks!

I forgot to ask you what size of enclosure you are heating up, and is it fully enclosed with a lid or is it open top? Are your Russians youngsters or adults? Good luck too!

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

Adults, 2.2 by 3.5 by 1.5 enclosure, open top.

 

[Tom]

I ordered a 2 pack from Amazon 100watt $21.46 including shipping

That is very expensive and probably more than you need. Your thermometer will answer this question for us.

Here is a 12 pack for about that same price.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips...ulb-Soft-White-2700K-12-Pack-248872/100560688

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

I found two 65 watt Sylvania flood LED bulb in my garage, but both of them together still didn't heat it very well. I think I need to up the wattage.

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

Probably because it is pretty cold this time of year.

 

[Tom]

I found two 65 watt Sylvania flood LED bulb in my garage, but both of them together still didn't heat it very well. I think I need to up the wattage.

LED bulbs don't produce heat... And they aren't 65 watts. If you read the package a little closer, you'll see that they are producing the equivalent amount of light that you'd get from an incandescent 65 watt bulb. They probably use somewhere around 9-10 watts.

 

[enchilada]

we should get a new thread discussing what we buy from hardware stores to replace expensive "professional" reptile keeping equipment.

 

[Tortoise MasterMan]

Ok thanks. I have one light bulb that says it is LED, but also 65 watt.

 

[Tom]

Ok thanks. I have one light bulb that says it is LED, but also 65 watt.

A 65 watt LED would light up an entire parking lot. I have 4 pole mounted 49 watt LEDs that light up my entire 5 acre ranch at night. The labeling can be confusing. Unless we are talking about a very large bulb that lights up a large outdoor area, what you have is a 65 watt bulb "replacement'. Meaning the bulb is intended to replace the 65 watt incandescent bulb, produce a similar amount of light, but use a lot less electricity.