Urgent Care :: Need New Heat Bulb ASAP

[Winterchick]

I tried turning on my heat bulb this morning and it wouldn't turn on! I tried using it on the other lamp (to see if it was the lamp) but it wouldn't work on that one either.

The thing is, that I am a 45 minute drive to the closet pet store, but that pet store doesn't supply anything turtle things. So I am thinking about using an Incandescent bulb.

I'm not sure what wattage to use. I looked inside the lamp and it said it can handle 660W and 220V, so I assume it can handle a pretty high wattage, but I don't want to use a higher one incase it would hurt the turtles.

I have seen some people posting that they use a 60W bulb, but I would like to know what would be good.

I plan on taking them outside today (since the bulb broke) but I would like to get one soon because I know taking them outside won't be good enough.

I apologize if this doesn't come under as the "urgent" kind of posting but it's very urgent to me.

[marisa]

Just use a regular incandescent bulb for the heat and position it along side the UVB bulb. Rather than going solely by wattage, use whatever will give a basking temp of 88 - 90F. You can start with a 60 watt bulb, lay a thermometer where your turtle would normally bask, and leave it there for about 20 minutes. Then check the temp. If it's not warm enough, you could either use a higher wattagae bulb or move the bulb closer to the basking area (not so close that your turtle could touch it, though). If it's too warm, use a lower wattage or move the bulb further from the basking area. Recheck the temp each time you make an adjustment so that it's somewhere in the range above.

[Winterchick]

Thanks Marisa!

[marisa]

You're welcome.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Do make sure that the light fixture you are using can handle the bulb you are using.

I know you said it can handle a 660 watt bulb - but there's just no way that can be correct. What type of light fixture is it?

I have a pet store clamp lamp with the small reflector dome that I normally use for a basking light, and I tried a 75 watt incandescent, but couldn't get a high enough basking temp - so I tried a 100 watt bulb and the fixture got extremely hot to the touch. The little tag inside the dome said it was rated for up to a 75 watt bulb to avoid risk if fire. I decided that based on that, and the fact that I burned my finger trying to aim the light, I'd better stick with no more than 75 watts in that fixture.

Double check the wattage your light fixture is rated for and do not exceed it. When you get a new type of bulb, make sure the warm parts of the light fixture and your turtle enclosure don't become excessively warm or hot to the touch. Whatever you do, make sure it's safe!

[Winterchick]

Hey TurtleKeeper48, the kind of lamp im using is the ExoTerra ceramic clip on lamp that glows when the light is turned off.

I'm using a 60 watt light, and it barely emits heat, but 1 of my turtles sill basks underneath the light. I was wondering if I should use an indoor light, or an outdoor one. And also was wondering whether to use an old incandescent bulb like this one:

http://www.chinawholesalegift.com/Elect ... 150329.htm

Or to use a newer one like this:

http://www.smarthome.com/46190/16-Watt- ... ulb/p.aspx

Cause right now I have the latter one, and I find it doesn't work well. But I also don't know which kind of bulb would emit more heat. Yes, I know the higher the wattage, the more heat, but I also think it depends on the kind of bulb.

[Marcus.85]

Look, your turtle won't die or anything if you stay without a heat lamp for a while. No need to panic!

[marisa]

All you really need is an incandescent bulb to warm the basking area to between 88 - 90F.

[MrsQuick]

a reg ole light bulb will be fine for a few days untill you get to the pet store. Herbert and Bonnie are on a reg light bulb till o go shopping this weekend. Its long term without heat/spectrum light that can cause trouble. Short term they are ok

[Winterchick]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was able to find a pet store that sold turtle things such as heat bulbs! They are basking a lot more now than when they had the incandescent bulb. Thanks again to everyone!