Habitat - Indoor :: T Rex active uv heat bulb question

[Starchick]

Ok, we've just about gotten our setup for our new boxie ready, but we've hit a snag! We planned to use the T-Rex Active UV Heat bulb laid over an oven grate like Jenaero's setup. (Link here: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... hlight=dog)

I ordered the bulb online and bought the biggest fixture I could find at petsmart, but alas, it's not deep enough. It's a 10 inch Fluker's clamp lamp, and the bulb sticks out nearly a half inch.

The instructions for the bulb say that it's meant to be used in a perfectly vertical position, which I think rules out simply clamping it to the side.

I guess question one is would it be dangerous to use it at all with the bulb touching the grate? I'm worried about it shattering or something. If it's going to be a risk I'd rather just use a household bulb for heat until I can come up with something better.

I figure my easiest answer is that there's gotta be a deeper fixture somewhere! I'm pretty sure in Jenaero's pic the lamp appears to be resting flat on the grate, so it must exist. Can anyone recommend a brand or link me to a specific product with more depth than the Flukers?

Thank you all so much, I promise I'll post pics of the new guy tonight!

[steve]

I would be more worried about vibrations directly on the bulb surface. Can you use something to suspend the lamp? I think that it would be better since you would be able to adjust the height.

[N4784N R4613]

I got a 300 WATT!!! clamp lamp from my local Home Depot. It fits my 100 watt T-rex flood MVB PERFECT!!! I think it was $14.99, not sure though.

Good luck!!

[Turtle_Turtle]

does that actually work i was thinking of trying that because it is a lot cheaper

[DavidY]

You could use a couple of pieces of wood and rest the rim of the lamp on top of them.

You can also get a Zoo Med deep clamp lamp for $14.99 here... http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1924

[Starchick]

Thank you for that link! I think that's probably what I'll do, we could prop it up as you say, but I'd rather keep it as simple as possible! Sounds like that one would work just right!

[jenaero]

Ok, this is the closest I could find online to what I have

http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?Pa ... &ProdID=48

However, mine was double the price because it was a 'glow in the dark' version and it was much deeper and wider. The inside of the lamp has a greenish coloring to it. I brought the bulb to the store with me and made sure it fit before I bought it. Mine was a Fluker's

It looks like this, but it's Fluker's

http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplie ... /12467.asp

[marisa]

I have an ESU reflective dome (black exterior) that held a 100-watt T-Rex Active UVHeat bulb inside it so that the edges of the lamp would touch the surface but not the bulb. Brooder lamps from Lowes, Home Depot (the one nearest me doesn't sell them any more) work equally as well.

[Starchick]

I could swear I read somewhere that for the MVBs you should use ceramic fixtures, not porcelain. Is that true or did my brain invent that? I found a brooder lamp at home depot but passed it up because it was porcelain. If it's fine I'll probably go back and get it.

[steve]

Porcelain is a type of ceramic, so I think it's fine (is it the same thickness?). Just make sure the lamp is deigned to hold the wattage.

[marisa]

Most of the newer fixtures are ceramic now (not white and shiny like porcelain). Get one meant for a high wattage bulb (250-300 watts).