Heating problems in hot weather.

[RowenJade]

Hi guys, me again. I'm having a serious problem with the heat in my enclosures now that it's getting warmer during the day. I used to have temps just right at 103-104 in the winter time, but now its getting up to 110 and I know it will get worse because it's not really that hot yet....Levi will not bask at higher temps like Enki will. I actually leave the heat light on for a few hours during the AM just to warm him up, and then turn the heat lights off before the heat of day while leaving the UVB on, because I don't know what else to do. There's no way I'm using an A/C in 75 degree weather we already have such high electric bills with two beardies, two bins of roaches and turtles.

I saw that BloodBank Dragons just raises the heat in the room that the beardies are in, and they don't use heat lights. I don't know how this could work for proper digestion but is the heat light really so important if the viv is getting that hot?

I already use a 50 watt bulb....I'm not sure if petsmart even sells a lower wattage or if there are flood lights of a lower wattage at home depot. I guess I should check that too...what does everyone else do in warm weather?

P.S. They are NOT housed together and Enki likes to bask at higher temps, so I do leave her lights on still. Levi seems to hate light lol. He's always under his rock if the light is on the little brat lol.

 

[AHBD]

You could do exactly what you mentioned...just turn them off after a few hours. Other than that, try a common household bulb...25-40 watt.

 

[RowenJade]

I guess that is what I'm going to have to do, I was hoping not to use a regular bulb just because it hurts my very light sensitive eyes to look at and causes terrible migranes. The flood lights keep the light in a localized spot away from my eyes. I was just wondering what everyone else does. I may just have to go out and get another timer for the flood light. (and I used to have two lights in there!!) thanks

 

[BaskingBaby]

I guess that is what I'm going to have to do, I was hoping not to use a regular bulb just because it hurts my very light sensitive eyes to look at and causes terrible migranes. The flood lights keep the light in a localized spot away from my eyes. I was just wondering what everyone else does. I may just have to go out and get another timer for the flood light. (and I used to have two lights in there!!) thanks

Hmm...if I want to lower the temps I pick up some cheap dollar store regular household bulbs and just keep lowering the wattage until it's a good temp. They come in frosted, non-frosted, "natural light" with a blue-ish tint, etc. You might have to check Home Depot for those other kinds (dollar store only has 1 kind I'm sure) but there are a few options out there that might not hurt your eyes. Of course the halogens, flood lights, etc will DEFINITELY elevate the temps so you don't want to use them. The expensive reptile lights at the pet stores might be hotter than a regular household bulb too, I've never used them because they're the same thing as a regular light and much more expensive.

If it were me, I wouldn't keep turning the lights on and off throughout the day. Dragons love bright light all day and I'd be afraid the on and off lights would decrease appetite and cause stress on mine at least.

 

[ziggy23]

Another option is getting a dimmer.

 

[valcash]

Good suggestions, also use some fans if possible.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

DO NOT USE A FAN.
Ever hear of a convection oven??
Use lower wattage. It really is that simple.
I use GE reveal bulbs for heat.

 

[RowenJade]

Lol ok Tom I don't have a fan. What I'm gana do is get a separate timer for the heat bulbs and set then to go on and off all day to keep it regulated. I hope that works.

 

[sarahbethgal523]

Those are some great ideas!
Personally, what I would do is get a 40 or 50 watt bulb and either
(A) use a dimmer or
(B) use a dome fixture, they seem to keep the light focused on solely the basking spot.

Good luck, whatever choice you make!

Sarah Beth

 

[RowenJade]

I would get a dimmer but i don't know how to hardwire it into the lights

 

[Sashee]

I have the same problem cuz my room is on the third floor with the sun shining right in. I have a ceramic heat emitter and a uv light. When it gets hot enough, I just turn the heat emitter off and Yoshi still has his light.