Basking spot lamp bulbs

[amazon]

I have always bought the basking bulbs sold for reptiles,
but one exploded in the tank! Luckily, my beardie wasn't underneath it.
Is it okay to use ordinary household spot lamp bulbs-100watt ?
I've heard from others that they had the same thing happen -
so wonder if a household bulb might be safer - I've never had one explode.

 

[BeardieAlan]

It might be the fitting.

The other day, a man working at a local pet store near me said that people had been having problems with their light fittings. Apparently, two brass connectors inside the part where you screw the bulb in had been folded down, and that was shorting out the bulbs. I wonder if that's similar to what's happening with yours.

I'm not too savvy with electrical matters like that, but it might be worth having a look into it.

 

[amazon]

I don't think it's that - I've used a ceramic in there for months - no probs.
Now it's winter and darker days, I like to use ones that give light as well as heat - so stop using ceramic.
Thanks for replying - just wondered if ordinary spotlights are okay - not damaging to eyes?

 

[my1stBD]

Ordinary household bulbs are fine to use, ive been using then for the past 2 years. And the best part . . . . much cheaper than reptile bulbs

 

[amazon]

I use the 100watt reptile bulbs - do I use 100watt household ones?
or a lower/higher watt?
thanks for replying my1stBD - much appreciated - and, yes, the lower cost will be good

 

[my1stBD]

Well i couldnt say about the wattages. I went from a 75W rep bulb to a 28 W hallogen spot. Played around a bit tho.

Id buy a 100w and see what the temps measure with it and work from there. Thats what makes the cost so geat. You can afford to play around with wattages till your temps are perfect and what doesnt get used in the viv can go the the utility drawer for future use anywhere in the house

 

[Dracosmommy]

Thank you my1stBD. You just saved me from posting, which I am doing anyway , to ask a silly question. My reptile basking bulb just blew this afternoon. So I grabbed a 100 watt frosted bulb and it works perfectly. I will get clear at the end of the month. It really helped in a tight spot as the reptile ones are in the $15 bracket here in Canada. I think I'm going to stick to regular light bulbs from now on. I checked this out cause I remember others saying you can use regular bulbs, just wanted to be sure and double check. :mrgreen:

 

[my1stBD]

Glad i could help

 

[whispersinmyhead]

I just made the switch from reptile basking bulbs to halogen floods and I love how white the light is and apparently these will last up to 2 years. I had a glass enclosure with screen top with a 150 watt rep bulb and a 100 watt house bulb on the cool side. Now I have a crossfire-type cage with a 75watt bulb on a dimmer and that's it. In summer I will just put a 50 watt in.

This combo will help electric bill. I was going through reptile basking bulbs every couple months with the occasional one lasting longer but now that will all change.

 

[rdoyle]

This is the one I have got

http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Saf-T-Gard-Flood-Light/16911664

 

[whispersinmyhead]

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=74,87,107&webid=600478&affixedcode=WW

This is the one I am using and in summer I will switch to the smaller 50 watt version.