Lights burning out?

[turtlejoe52210]

So we got some exo Terra heat bulbs for our terrarium. And they do great for our russian tortoises with keeping them warm, But they keep burning out. The lamps are pointing strait down but I can't see any reason for them to be overheating or anything. Am I doing somthin wrong? Or could it be just a crappy brand?

 

[jaizei]

Are using a timer? Are there any indicators before they go or do the bulbs just go?

 

[phebe121]

Can the light holder handle what ever watt your.useing

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm thinking you've bought the Exo Terra Mercury Vapor Bulb, right? This bulb gets very hot and needs to be mounted in a fixture with a ceramic base. Not the Bakelite or plastic fixtures.

This:


Notice the white or ceramic area where the cord goes into the fixture.

Not this:



See how the back part is black (or dark brown)? That's plastic, or Bakelite. Not good for MVB.

 

[turtlejoe52210]

The fixtures im using do have a ceramic base.....however. I had noticed a mistake in my earlier post. There zoo med not exo terra, i had thrown away the box. Either way, it wasnt a mvb because they were a bit too expencive. Maybe zoo med isnt good. We bought them in a two pack and the other one seems to still be operational. As far as i can tell, when i turned it on, it just didnt turn on. Maybe ill just try a differant brand.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

All of the filament type bulbs are very prone to damage if they are jiggled about. Any jolt or bump could damage the filament especially if it is still hot and weakened. Mount it as solidly as you are able to and in a position that wont have to be manipulated.
See if it helps.