Need lighting advice...

[Sonya610]

I have two stacking cages. Currently have 18" Reptisun 10 lights above each with domes holding daylight heat bulbs and night time heat bulbs.

Now that spring is here the heat bulbs won't be used much BUT I would like to add some additional light that does NOT emit heat as the cages are a bit too dark (they are wood sided so they don't get much natural light).

Any ideas on a bright/low or no heat light bulb would fit in the 6" dome light fixtures? I would rather use the light fixtures that I have rather than get two more long fluorescent light holders (they seem to be a pain regarding the bulbs turning on etc...)

[Steveo]

Have you looked into LED light strips? I think they are a bit pricy up front but they're super energy efficient with no heat.

I can't think of any bulbs that fit a traditional socket that produce negligible heat. Even my CFLs get hot to the touch.

[Sonya610]

Have you looked into LED light strips? I think they are a bit pricy up front but they're super energy efficient with no heat.

I can't think of any bulbs that fit a traditional socket that produce negligible heat. Even my CFLs get hot to the touch.

Thanks! I did not even know about those! Looking at the type that has 3 bulbs, 1 daylight and I can add "colormax" bulbs to it to bring out the red in my flames.

That light is okay for them right? It won't seem weird and put them off their food or anything? I have the 18" Reptisun which hopefully provides enough full spectrum (the screen top probably filters out some of the UV), I am no expert on this lighting business. Would it be okay? I guess "too much" light isn't a problem for them?

Amazon.com: Aqueon Colormax LED Aquarium Lamp, Size 30: Pet Supplies

[-MARWOLAETH-]

DIODER LED 4-piece lighting strip set - IKEA

[chris-uk]

DIODER LED 4-piece lighting strip set - IKEA

Also Ikea's Ledburg lights are very good and almost half the price of the Dioder. The Dioder is more flexible though as it splits into 4 small strips which could be used to light 4 vivs (I use one unit to light two vivs).
The other thing to look for are LED "bulbs" that fit standard light sockets. I also use these in spotlights, just a 5W, 130 lumen LED bulb that fits an E14 fitting.

[Sonya610]

The other thing to look for are LED "bulbs" that fit standard light sockets. I also use these in spotlights, just a 5W, 130 lumen LED bulb that fits an E14 fitting.

Yeah I bought two standard sized 800 Luminum (10 watt) bulbs that can be dimmed. I hope that provides enough light (and I hope they fit my little domes).

[CrazyHedgehog]

we also use energy efficient bulbs in summer, very low wattage, bright light but almost no heat.
http://www.infiniteunknown.net/wp-co.../new-light.jpg

[Sonya610]

we also use energy efficient bulbs in summer, very low wattage, bright light but almost no heat.
http://www.infiniteunknown.net/wp-co.../new-light.jpg

Just wanted to report back and say the LED bulbs worked out great. They are about 1/2 an inch longer than standard bulbs so they are a tiny bit too long for the dome sockets BUT it isn't really a problem.

I figured even if they didn't fit those bulbs supposedly last forever and could be used in regular lights if they didn't work for the cages. Much less expensive than the LED light strips....I may go that route in the future but for now these work fine and provide a good amount of light when centered over the 36" cages.

[Sonya610]

Thanks so much for all the advice.

I was very tempted by the LED light setups (running about $200 for a pair) but also found some hopefully standard sized LED light bulbs for much much less. Hopefully they will fit in my existing light fixtures.

[Steveo]

I have not gone looking for LED's, but for lighting in general I almost always find what I need at a hardware store for half of what pet stores charge.