Basking bulb too hot for PVC cage?

TheCoreyHall · Aug 21, 2016

Hey guys, made a post a couple days a go but I got a question about another problem. I ordered a 4x2x2 cage made out of PVC plastic and Ive got a 100watt basking bulb I was going to mount to a ceramic fixture in the top. Well the guy who makes the cages calls me and tells me that a basking bulb is too hot for a PVC cage and will warp the plastic at around 150 degrees. But that didnt sound right to me and I dont think a basking bulb will get it that hot.

So my question to yall is was he right and I cant get a cage made out of that? Or does he not know what hes talking about and Im good to go. If necessary I could just get a 60watt bulb but I thought the point of the ceramic fixture was to stop the warping anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Gormagon · Aug 21, 2016

I would say he is right. It doesn't take much heat to soften PVC and in doing so releases toxic gasses that could possibly poison your little critter.

I wouldn't chance it.

TheCoreyHall · Aug 21, 2016

The thing is I have read from multiple websites including: http://www.thebeardeddragon.org/bearded-dragon-setup.php

of how PVC is a recommended cage material for a bearded dragon. How could that be true if they are in danger of soften up and letting off fumes like you said?

What if I just used a normal lightbulb that was like 20 watt? Ive heard that PVC retain heat really well and I think that would be enough.

Gormagon · Aug 21, 2016

I work with a lot of PVC products and when heated up does emmit gasses, maybe not very toxic to us but who knows what it might do to a bearded dragon.
If you can keep the ceramic fixture far enough off of it, it might be OK to use. With a 75watt basking bulb in a ceramic fixture it reaches 200.6° on the fixture (just checked it with an infrared thermometer) in my vivarium. I mounted them to a wood block with washers for spacers to help with the heat dispersement. Wood block only reaches 98° on the back side. So it is possible to mount it to the PVC with the use of some washers and a 1x4 as long as you use desperate screws for fastening the wood to the PVC and the fixture to the wood block. I hope this helps.
A 20watt bulb will not put out the heat needed for basking.

TheCoreyHall · Aug 21, 2016

Gormagon":2lffd7ay said:
I work with a lot of PVC products and when heated up does emmit gasses, maybe not very toxic to us but who knows what it might do to a bearded dragon.
If you can keep the ceramic fixture far enough off of it, it might be OK to use. With a 75watt basking bulb in a ceramic fixture it reaches 200.6° on the fixture (just checked it with an infrared thermometer) in my vivarium. I mounted them to a wood block with washers for spacers to help with the heat dispersement. Wood block only reaches 98° on the back side. So it is possible to mount it to the PVC with the use of some washers and a 1x4 as long as you use desperate screws for fastening the wood to the PVC and the fixture to the wood block. I hope this helps.
A 20watt bulb will not put out the heat needed for basking.

Okay thats a good idea. Im looking for anyway really to use it with a PVC tank because the PVC tank was the only one I could ship to me in a reasonable cost/timeframe. Thanks for the idea.

kingofnobbys · Aug 22, 2016

Install a false ceiling that is made from 1/2 inch thick plywood under the lid and attach the ceramic light fitting to the underneath of that.

I'd install a ceramic tile between the light fitting and the plywood false ceiling just in case to prevent the wood from being overheated.

Basking bulb too hot for PVC cage?

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