Habitat - Indoor :: Trouble with Lamp

[eazyegee]

I set up everything in my tank except the lamp. I have one of those lamps with the clamp with those rubber black handles on the bottom. I got a new lamp because while I was cleaning the tank and the house, I put it on the floor it got crushed while I was moving furniture. O: Can someone tell me how to put on the clamp or should is it good to leave it on top of the screen of the tank?

[DavidY]

You can set the lamp on top of the screen as long as the screen is the metal kind and not something that will melt. Also make sure the bulb itself doesn't sit on the screen. You should also check the temperature of the basking area below the lamp to make sure it's not too hot. If it is, you'll need to raise the lamp a little until you get the temperature just right (about 95 degrees).

[Starchick]

Also, how is your UVB lamp set up? If your screen has holes less than 1/2 inch, you'll need to figure out a different way to rig it up, as the mesh will block some of the rays.

[eazyegee]

My screen has holes less than 1/2 inch big. I'll read what it says about the lamp on the side of the box: 5.5'' metal reflector with 6'' cord, ceramic socket and spring loaded swiveel head clamp. Here's a picture of the box: http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o272 ... ampbox.jpg

[DavidY]

You could remove the screen top and leave it open as long as the turtle can't get out and you don't have any other animals that might try to get in. Then attach the clamp to the side of the tank frame and adjust the swivel head so it's shining directly on the basking spot. Again, check the temperature of the basking spot to make sure it's around 90 to 95 degrees. You can use any thermometer placed on the basking platform under the light to get a temperature reading.

[DavidY]

Also, like StarChick mentioned, do you have a separate bulb for UVB? Like a flourescent or compact flourescent bulb?

[eazyegee]

Yes but I have a seperate bulb both UVB and UBA. But I bought a new lamp because my other broke I have no idea how to reattach the clamp. I'm not very handy.

[DavidY]

There should be a wing nut on the "C" clamp that you need to loosen up. Then both sides of the "C" clamp around the round ceramic base of the lamp and tighten the wing nut back up again.

[eazyegee]

I think I've got it. I set it up with the clamp around the ceramic base and the screw to tighten with the head of the screw of the thing that holds onto the tank.

[squirtles mom]

i agree eazyegee, I just bought my first clamp lamp and it is very hard to understand. I know how to clamp the thing around the lamp, but it is the other part that confuses me, i just emailed zoo med,to help me figure it out. there is this screw looking thing that sticks out of the holder and I don't know how to attach it to the bracket, it doesn't see to want to unscrew.

[Starchick]

Yeah, I hate those regular clamp lamps, very tricky to get together. I like the ESU reptile clamp lamps, they have a nice gooseneck so they're adjustable and it comes assembled.