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Post by jonbcheshire on Nov 11, 2007 5:17:37 GMT -8
I have a four foot vivarium for my juvenille iguana. It has a habistat thermostatic controller & heat mat and also a spot lamp.
I have an issue where the spot lamps seem to blow every few weeks, i do run it day and night could this be why? I did check the connection and it seemed ok but i wired it back in to make sure.
I'm wondering as surely i shouldn't have to be replacing these every ffew weeks, its a 60watt bulb - general electric spot r63 that i use there the red tinted ones from my local reptile store. Could it be the quality of the bulb is rubbish?
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Post by prism_wolf on Nov 11, 2007 6:48:33 GMT -8
First off...welcome to the forum...:-) Second...all lights should be turned off at night. Iguanas need darkness the same as we do. If you're using one of the reptile basking lights...ditch it. They're known for blowing on a regular basis. All you need is a regular incandescent house bulb. You'll have to play with the watts, but I you may be ok. starting off with at least a 75W. As long as the temps don't go below 70F (21C) you don't need a night source. If it does get colder - use a light-less heat source such as a CHE or even just the heat mat as long as that doesn't go over 75F (23-24C). If you're already using an incandescent bulb then you may have some power fluctuations that weaken the bulb. Maybe with the turning it off at night they will last much longer. Where are you located (you "sound" UK to me... )? What do you use for a UVB source? What do you feed your green monster?
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Post by jonbcheshire on Nov 11, 2007 6:57:21 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcome wish id found this forum a few months ago bookmarked it already. I'll try a 75w incandescent and see how i fair, the matt can keep it well above 21 at night so i should be ok ill monitor it. I'm not already using an incandescent - ive just got the heatmat, basking light and uv light at the mo. Yeah i'm in UK. Feed him on the t-rex juvenille forumla# and some greens every few days, and a few crickets every 3 weeks. Although i read i can only feed them while hes young hes still under 2 years as far as i know. I had the vivarium at 32c in the day is that too high then? i thought it was around 23-25c at night and 32c in day
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Post by prism_wolf on Nov 11, 2007 8:47:16 GMT -8
Ditch the crickets. That's very outdated information and can lead to an early death. Their kidneys are designed to metabolize plant protein - not animal protein...even when they're babies. They need to eat 85% greens, 10% veggies, and 5% fruit every day. Even as adults they eat every day...except often when breeding season comes around for males...and females become gravid (pregnant). My boy eats all year every day...even in breeding season. He'd be pretty angry if I didn't feed him every day... . The iguana pellets should not be a main part of the diet...and there is only one brand truly good for recommendation (although there is another that is sounding good, but I have to research it a little better). Rep-Cal iguana pellets for the different age groups. I use it as a small salad topper a couple of times a week. Always soak them in water first so they start to plump, but don't fall apart. Feeding them dry leads to dehydration. What brand and strength is your UVB source? As for the basking temps...actually...they're too low: Basking: 33 - 35 Your low temps are fine... . Just a little tweaking and your ig will live a very long time... ;D.
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Post by laxfiend69 on Nov 22, 2007 19:02:09 GMT -8
Hey, im an electrician and see many problems with fixtures that have to high of wattage bulb so make sure your fixture can handle up to 75watts or w.e watt your using, if your going to use a high watt bulb i would reccomend a porcelan socket fixture if you already dont have one. They tend to be able to handle higer watts and temps. Also for a heat souce at night if not using a very dull light or ceramic bulb that gives off just heat and no light, hope this helps. And if anyone disagrees please chime in because im not the answer man just giving in what little I know
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Post by prism_wolf on Nov 22, 2007 19:13:46 GMT -8
I will chime in...:-D
Not even a lamp with dull light should be used. Allow complete darkness for nighttime. Just like people...they need total darkness for a good night sleep.
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