Brian 2548
New Member
My tortoises heating lamp keeps blowing (stops working) once a month or so I don’t know why anyone got any advice
How long do you keep them on for? I strongly recommend keeping them on for the day and off for the night. So only 12 hours a day.My tortoises heating lamp keeps blowing (stops working) once a month or so I don’t know why anyone got any advice
Hi yes I switch it off at night but might start switching it off earlier. Thank youHow long do you keep them on for? I strongly recommend keeping them on for the day and off for the night. So only 12 hours a day.
it in a shield and it is plugged into an extension which has a surge protection on it it is also turned off at night here is the one I buy.Greetings.
Exactly what kind of bulb? Is it on a timer? Is it in a shield? Do u often experience power surges?
There are lots of reasons that bulbs do this. More often than not, it’s user error of some sort.
Those bulbs aren't really good. I think the problem is the bulbs. I strongly suggest buying a CHE. They're about the best heat bulbs you can find on amazon, I use them too: Amazon.com: Simple Deluxe 150W 2-Pack Ceramic Heat Emitter Reptile Heat Lamp Bulb No Light Emitting Brooder Coop Heater for Amphibian Pet & Incubating Chicken: Pet Suppliesit in a shield and it is plugged into an extension which has a surge protection on it it is also turned off at night here is the one I buy.
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I will try them thank you ?Those bulbs aren't really good. I think the problem is the bulbs. I strongly suggest buying a CHE. They're about the best heat bulbs you can find on amazon, I use them too: Amazon.com: Simple Deluxe 150W 2-Pack Ceramic Heat Emitter Reptile Heat Lamp Bulb No Light Emitting Brooder Coop Heater for Amphibian Pet & Incubating Chicken: Pet Supplies
Brian- before you go out and buy those CHE's, please read about the difference between a basking bulb and CHEI will try them thank you ?
He never said he needed a basking bulb he just said it's the kind he got. He's probably just looking for a good heat bulb.There are four elements to heating and lighting:
Notice I do not mention mercury vapor bulbs, and CHEs are not mentioned as a basking bulb. There is a good reason for this...
- Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
- Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. You'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night.
- Light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in bulb types are both fine.
- UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. If you want it anyway, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Post number one starts with: "My tortoises heating lamp keeps blowing..."He never said he needed a basking bulb he just said it's the kind he got. He's probably just looking for a good heat bulb.
Do you use a ceramic fixture on both the incandescent basking bulb and the CHE used for ambient heat?There are four elements to heating and lighting:
Notice I do not mention mercury vapor bulbs, and CHEs are not mentioned as a basking bulb. There is a good reason for this...
- Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
- Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. You'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night.
- Light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in bulb types are both fine.
- UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. If you want it anyway, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Yes. Nothing but ceramic fixtures all around.Do you use a ceramic fixture on both the incandescent basking bulb and the CHE used for ambient heat?
Ok. So the basking bulb and UV light are different? I would’ve thought that would be one light. Is there a place with recommendations for those types of setups, including UV bulbs? I ordered a double dome light for reptiles as recommended by the pet supply place and feel like that’s probably going to go back, based on this information. Many thanks!The most important one in your situation is the basking bulb. This simulates the sun and allows them to warm up each day.
You may or may not need more ambient light, or more ambient heat. Depends on the light in the room and the temperatures in the room.
Sounds like you should also have a UV tube over the long frozen winters.
Pet shops almost always give the wrong advice and sell you the wrong products.Ok. So the basking bulb and UV light are different? I would’ve thought that would be one light. Is there a place with recommendations for those types of setups, including UV bulbs? I ordered a double dome light for reptiles as recommended by the pet supply place and feel like that’s probably going to go back, based on this information. Many thanks!