Are halogen bulbs suitable for garters?

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I'm thinking about using halogen spot bulbs to heat my snake's adult tank.I'd like to use them because I'd only need a small wattage bulb to give enough heat and it would be bright enough to light the entire terrarium.I am unsure weather the beam they give out is to concentrated for garters.Does anyone know if I could use halogen?

[chris-uk]

What type of halogen are you looking at?
G4 or G9 capsules chuck out a lot of heat and the focus comes from the fixing. The MR11 type capsules may be a better bet. With the right guard and reflectors I can't see why halogen wouldn't work.

An idea I'm toying with is actually using E14 LED lamps, I got a couple of lamps from Ikea and am using them for light only. The reason I mention this is because the outside of the spotlights gets to about 32C (the inside of the spotlight next to the lamp gets to 44C). They're 5W LED bulbs so reasonably efficient. What I need to work out is how to make use of the heat because they don't radiate so they'd need to be used inside the viv to raise the ambient heat, and they aren't dimmable.

[ConcinusMan]

NO! Don't use halogens. BAD.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

What type of halogen are you looking at?
G4 or G9 capsules chuck out a lot of heat and the focus comes from the fixing. The MR11 type capsules may be a better bet. With the right guard and reflectors I can't see why halogen wouldn't work.

An idea I'm toying with is actually using E14 LED lamps, I got a couple of lamps from Ikea and am using them for light only. The reason I mention this is because the outside of the spotlights gets to about 32C (the inside of the spotlight next to the lamp gets to 44C). They're 5W LED bulbs so reasonably efficient. What I need to work out is how to make use of the heat because they don't radiate so they'd need to be used inside the viv to raise the ambient heat, and they aren't dimmable.This sort with built in reflector Halogen Spot Lamp (http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-heating-equipment-414/heat-bulbs-1481/komodo-halogen-spot-lamp-290764.html)

[chris-uk]

NO! Don't use halogens. BAD.

Useful answer Richard. Care to explain why they are BAD, or should we just accept your statement on faith?

[Invisible Snake]

I think it depends on what type of halogen bulbs you use. Here in the states, if memory serves me correct, halogen bulbs tend to get extremely hot and have been responsible for starting a lot of house fires.

I would also advise against using them.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I think it depends on what type of halogen bulbs you use. Here in the states, if memory serves me correct, halogen bulbs tend to get extremely hot and have been responsible for starting a lot of house fires.

I would also advise against using them.I plan to use a small wattage one probably 35-40 watt and it would be connected to a dimming thermostat to stop it from over heating.Also I will buy a ceramic holder to prevent melting.

[infernalis]

Halogen flood lights = good

Halogen spot lights = bad

Flood lights spread out the heat more evenly.

Spot lights focus all of the energy into a small spot (like a magnifying glass, when burning ants)

a modest 30-40 watt lamp will make plenty of basking for a garter snake.

[chris-uk]

Thanks Wayne. That probably means that a pre-focused GU10 bulb would be a bad bet, but the G4/G9 halogen capsules may be OK depending on the reflectors they're used with. Essentially, each light bulb would need to be tested individually and the fact that a bulb is halogen is secondary to the focus of the bulb.

[ConcinusMan]

Useful answer Richard. Care to explain why they are BAD, or should we just accept your statement on faith?

Well, years ago they were causing all kinds of problems for reptile keepers including blindness and burns. The spectrums were harmful, there is high fire risk, etc. and they just weren't suitable for anything but ridiculously large enclosures where the snakes could get no closer than say, 6 feet from the bulb. However, apparently the technology has improved and Zilla now makes halogens specifically for reptiles. If you're going to use them I would stick with those. Not just any halogen will do.

I believe they still have UV output. Not suitable for albinos. Heck, halogens are used in some school gymnasiums. A few years ago a teacher and some students suffered partial blindness and severe retina burns when a protective filter on one of the lamps failed.

I still think there are better choices.

[infernalis]

Well, years ago they were causing all kinds of problems for reptile keepers including blindness and burns. The spectrums were harmful, there is high fire risk, etc. and they just weren't suitable for anything but ridiculously large enclosures where the snakes could get no closer than say, 6 feet from the bulb. However, apparently the technology has improved and Zilla now makes halogens specifically for reptiles. If you're going to use them I would stick with those. Not just any halogen will do.

I believe they still have UV output. Not suitable for albinos. Heck, halogens are used in some school gymnasiums. A few years ago a teacher and some students suffered partial blindness and severe retina burns when a protective filter on one of the lamps failed.

I still think there are better choices.

The gymnasium incident was HALIDE lighting, substantially higher UV output due to the Mercury plasma arc. It will give you "welder's eyes" if you look into it with the glass broke off.

As for technology, all of the small fiber optic Christmas decorations have tiny little halogen floodlights inside them. so they can't be that big of a fire hazard...

Judging by your UV statement, I honestly think you have Halide and Halogen confused.

My lizards stand up and play with their halogen floodlights, and they don't get burned.

[Spankenstyne]

I've used low wattage halogens for many years with several different reptile species with zero issues (mostly with lizards, but some snake species), in fact I find them ideal. As Wayne mentioned you would want to ideally use flood bulbs but with dimmers & properly monitoring temps you really shouldn't have a problem. The nice thing about halogens is they put off more heat than incandescents when comparing heat output to wattage used. I did use some for a short time with Checkereds & only stopped due to the way my enclosure was set-up with concerns about escapees, otherwise there were no issues.

I also think Richard may be mixing up metal halide with halogens, there are no UV issues with halogens. The main issue with halogens is they get so hot, which fits well in our case for using them as a heat source. Most longtime monitor keepers use a bank of low wattage halogens as basking heat sources.

[infernalis]

Most longtime monitor keepers use a bank of low wattage halogens as basking heat sources.

That's right... and we don't buy "zoo med" either. Any 40 - 50 watt flood light works just fine.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

That's for the advice:) I've looked around and and can't find any halogen flood lights.All the halogen lamps for reptiles are spot lights so I think I'll use a ceramic heater and LED strip lights for lighting.Can anyone recommend me some LED systems that work well for vivariums?

[chris-uk]

That's for the advice:) I've looked around and and can't find any halogen flood lights.All the halogen lamps for reptiles are spot lights so I think I'll use a ceramic heater and LED strip lights for lighting.Can anyone recommend me some LED systems that work well for vivariums?

You don't need to pay the hefty premium for bulbs designed for reptiles. As Wayne said, any light will do the job.

If you are looking at LED:

I use a couple of spotlights (Ikea Ledare E14) with these bulbs (these are outside the viv) - LEDARE LED bulb E14 reflector R50 - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60172201/)
I use a couple of these (Ikea Dioder) for two vivs - DIODER 4-piece lighting strip set - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00119419/)
And I use a couple of these (Ikea Ledberg) for three vivs - LEDBERG 3-piece lighting strip set - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90192071/)

Of the three I'm liking the Ledare E14 bulbs, although they are bulkier by far. I think in the right fixing these could generate a little heat as well.

Of the strips, the Dioder is better because you have flexible positioning of each of the four strips, so I can use 2 strips on each of 2 vivs, or could use one strip on four different viv. The Ledberg must be used as a single strip, you don't get connectors to allow you to split the three strips so they need to plug together end-to-end.
The Dioder is also a lot brighter than the Ledberg.

And yes, we have an Ikea about a mile from home, it's pretty much our local homeware shop.

[ConcinusMan]

I also think Richard may be mixing up metal halide with halogens

Yeah probably. At least as far as the gymnasium incident goes.

[Stefan-A]

I use a couple of these (Ikea Dioder) for two vivs - DIODER 4-piece lighting strip set - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00119419/)


Of the strips, the Dioder is better because you have flexible positioning of each of the four strips, so I can use 2 strips on each of 2 vivs, or could use one strip on four different viv.
Using a non-Ikea version of the same device.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes10/enclosures/newterrariums-3.jpg

3 of these for 6 enclosures.

[Spankenstyne]

That's right... and we don't buy "zoo med" either. Any 40 - 50 watt flood light works just fine.

Yep just 40w - 50w hardware store halogens.

Don't get me wrong the Zoo-Med ones work great also, it's just as with anything pet-related you pay a premium for the re-branding and packaging. It's not a huge deal with a small collection but when you work with many it can add up in a hurry.

[ConcinusMan]

Yep just 40w - 50w hardware store halogens.

Don't get me wrong the Zoo-Med ones work great also, it's just as with anything pet-related you pay a premium for the re-branding and packaging.

Tell me about it. Have to go to gardening supply online or elsewhere to get a decent "undertank heater". Twice the size, and no getting too hot, unlike the ZooMed ones. Way better, for half the price if its sold as "seedling heat mat" ;)

Same goes for cyprus or aspen, or fir bark, or coconut substrates...

skip the pet store and check out garden supply.;)