Bulbs in Critter Condoz

[danab]

For those of you using Critter Condoz, what wattage are you using for basking bulbs? I ask because in my 36 inch tanks I have 50 watt bulbs. Between them and the heat generated by the reptisun and the height of the cages I have to dim the 50's down to barely on to get correct temps. Then when my laser printer kicks on it consumes a large chunk of electricity which sometimes turns off the basking bulbs that are on dimmers (its a common complaint about this printer but its affordable to use so I don't want to replace it).

I have 25 watts on order to try and they should be here next week, but was curious what other folks are using? I am thinking of 25 watts during the warm months and 50 watts during winter. I am also planning on putting full slate bottoms on their tanks for the winter for heat absorption and release during the night but can't do that until I am done treating all their parasites.

Critter Condoz really hold in the heat which should be a nice electrical cost savings! I have also noticed that some heat transfers to the tanks above when you have the condoz stacked?

 

[Jess]

I don't have a Critter Condoz, but I only need a 30 watt flood light to get good temps in my 4x2x2. I found the bulb for $2 at Menards, and it works perfectly for me.
It amazing how much more insulated wood cages are than glass cages, isn't it?

 

[danab]

I don't have a Critter Condoz, but I only need a 30 watt flood light to get good temps in my 4x2x2. I found the bulb for $2 at Menards, and it works perfectly for me.
It amazing how much more insulated wood cages are than glass cages, isn't it?

Hehe yeah in my glass tank upstairs I use a 100 and still have to supplement with a CHE if its really cold. The melamine just seems to hold the heat in. I am even cracking the doors open on one of the top condoz because his cool side temps run too high. Its getting heat from the tank below I think. If the 25 is still too hot then I might have to make a screen insert to fit in the door tracks or something to get rid of that extra heat. I even turned off my side mounted UTH on the hermit crab tank on top of that condoz because it is warming the sand in it LOL.

 

[Jess]

I already had to put a screen door on the cool side of my cage. Everything get SO warm in that thing. Plus, the fact that the average temp in my bedroom is, like, 80*F isn't helping. :roll:

 

[danab]

I already had to put a screen door on the cool side of my cage. Everything get SO warm in that thing. Plus, the fact that the average temp in my bedroom is, like, 80*F isn't helping. :roll:

WooHOO- great minds think alike. How did you make the screen? Does it fit in the tracks? Thats Saffron's cage (my large rescue male with the broken and perma-bent tail who smashes and bashes everything) so I have to figure out a way to make it stay in the tracks and be held in place by the glass door. Otherwise hes such a weirdo and he might fall out.

 

[Jess]

I have a 1/4" tract, so I couldn't find any screen frames that were small enough to fit in it. But what I did was but a screen frame kit (Like this: http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=D541Tv-dB6GjsQKi_eXzCg&ved=0CH4Q8wIwAQ# ), cut it to the right size, and used velcro to attach it to my viv. Pushing it off would require effort, so Dudley won't be trying that any time soon LOL.