Regular Light Bulbs in Heating Lamp?

[ProXimuS]

I woke up this morning and noticed my snakes light has burned out :rolleyes: I don't think I can get to the pet store today, so I was wondering if I can use a regular light bulb(like one from the grocery store)in the heating lamp? The lamp I have is a Fluker's 5.5" clamp-lamp, rated 75 watt/120 volt. The bulb I had in it was a Zoo med 40 watt. Can I get some kind of regular 40 watt for that kind of lamp?

[thamneil]

As long as you are using the correct wattage for the fixture, you should be alright.

[ProXimuS]

Ok cool..So I guess there's not like specific "heating" bulbs for a "heating" lamp...I guess it's more the design of the lamp that's for heating..?

[thamneil]

Well there are specific heating bulbs. Bulbs can be bought with a metallic coating to create a tight beam of heat. Bulbs like this become very hot and require a special fixture.

[infernalis]

I never buy bulbs at the pet store. You are paying extra for a fancy box with pictures on it.

Have been using dollar store and wal mart bulbs forever, and they work just fine.

[infernalis]

Well there are specific heating bulbs. Bulbs can be bought with a metallic coating to create a tight beam of heat. Bulbs like this become very hot and require a special fixture.

Brooding lamps and spot lamps are bad for reptiles, as you risk burning your animal.

Any nice FLOOD light or regular household bulb will do nicely.

[thamneil]

Brooding lamps and spot lamps are bad for reptiles, as you risk burning your animal.

Any nice FLOOD light or regular household bulb will do nicely.

Never said they were a good thing :)

[Spankenstyne]

Yep normal incandescent bulbs are a nice inexpensive old-school way of offering a basking spot. I still have several snakes with setups using them. They're good because of how inefficient they are & waste a lot of their energy on heat vs light output. Low wattage halogens are a great option too but I would recommend a dimmer & always make sure the bulb fits with the fixture specs.

[Didymus20X6]

They make special lamps for brooding?

5898
Where can I get one of those?

[ProXimuS]

Awesome, good to know I can use regular ones...Wish I would've asked this from the get go:rolleyes:

Thanks yall:)

[thamneil]

Kind of off topic.. but I think that garter snakes really appreciate the light of a normal bulb. They seem to be attracted to the basking site when it goes on in the morning. I have never had this reaction when using a heat emitter or red bulb. Maybe they relate it to the sun?

[kueluck]

I use a 25watt red bulb that sits over the hammock, which stays on 24/7.

[zendragondrew]

Right now I'm using a coil bulb in the lamp for the summer because I don't want it to give off much heat, only light. It's always around 80 degrees in the tank, even with the air conditioner on so I don't want any extra heat. Good to know for the winter I can use normal bulbs because those heating bulbs are expensive.