Basking Wattage

[StephanieRoze]

I am getting my first BTS in 17 days and I'm in the process of gathering everything I need to make an ideal home. The tank dimensions are 36x18x18 and I'm trying to find the right basking bulb for him/her. With the 18" height in consideration, what would be the best wattage for an approx 95-100 degree (F) temp?

[Linnea]

This is better in the general section but ill answer anyway


There is noone on this forum who can tell you exactly what wattage you need.

it depends on a large amount of factors, how warm you room is, how you place the basking spot under the lamp and what type of terrarium you use and how the ventilation is placed.

you may find yourself to need 50, 75, or 100W lamps.

an example: my terrarium is larger than yours, and my room is quite cold in winter, so i use a 100W which is placed 27 cm from the exact warmest basking spot. this means my lizard gets a 30 C average temp on the warmer side with a 32-33 C warmest point. and a cooler side at 22-24 C.

buy all three kinds and measure the temps so you get them right before you get the bts n__n no need for them to be a special brand.

it is recommended to buy a temp gun to measure temps very exactly, i use termometres which isnt very exact though.

dont forget the uvb or D3 supplement : ) either one is fine.

[StephanieRoze]

i was going to post this in the general initially but when i saw "environments" in the listing of this section, i figured heating would kind of fall into environment. thanks for the suggestion though!

[Linnea]

do not worry the admins here move everything quickly if its needed, and pretty much everyone here has posted a topic in the wrong place and double posted plenty of times lol.

the only reason they would actually move it is so you will get more answers quicker n__n its not because its wrong that way.


i think those wattage lamps cost me about 5 euro each, i recently invested in a 100W ferplast one since i didnt have a choice of brand (small village) so it costed me 12 euro.....but its good for a long time xD

when you find the proper one for your terrarium, buy at least one extra in case it breaks ;D happens at some point.

[Spindown]

definitely have extra lights...they burn out quick depending on what you use!

[Alioop]

Easiest way to do it IMO is get a dimmer lamp and then go with a bulb thats a slightly higher wattage than you think you'll need. That way you can just adjust to get the desired temp. Also makes it easier to adjust things when the weather gets warmer/colder. I've got a 150watt bulb on a dimmer for my IJ and I've never needed to have it at full blast but I have needed to adjust it up and down.

[StephanieRoze]

the dimmer is a great idea! definitely going to get one. along with extra bulbs. thanks!

[Fatal_S]

Keep in mind that you shouldn't use a wattage that makes extremely high temps, even with a dimmer. If the dimmer fails the bulb could be on full-blast. Also, remember not to use a dimmer with MVBs (Mercury Vapor Bulbs). Just a couple precautions; otherwise, dim away

[StephanieRoze]

thanks for the heads up Fatal_S