thermostat and uvb light

[luvmyiggy]

So I bought a 55 gal tank and the t-rex uvb/heat bulb.... the basking area is too hot... the directions say not to use the bulb with a thermostat. Has anyone else used this bulb with a thermostat? Its a 100 watt focus.... that was the lowest wattage they had available..... since I've been home monitoring the temp I have been turning the light off and on as necessary.... I can't do this when I'm at work.... Suggesstions? BY THE WAY, you guys are great!

[prism_wolf]

A thermostat on a UVB bulb will not work. It is only useable on non-UVB lights and light-less heat sources. How close do you have the UVB/heat bulb? You can have it as far away as 18" and still get the minimum required UVB from this bulb.

[luvmyiggy]

I pretty much have it sitting on top of the tank.... I will raise it.... Thanks for the tip! ;D

[prism_wolf]

Glad I could help... ;D.

On the box it should say something like "no closer than 12". This is actually good advice. Any closer and the temps get very high...as you found out... . For the type of bulb you are using the distance can be anywhere between 12" - 18" for proper UVB emissions. If you still have high temps at 18" then you have a problem. Hopefully the moving it will help.