I still need to figure out this heating problem

[GottemOnDubs]

I posted awhile back about how to heat my new cages and have not had any replies really. I'm kinda in a tight squeeze, literally. I need to provide a basking spot for my dragons and the new cages don't have accommodations for a tall fixture. Can i use one of those slim halogen lights that some floor lamps use? If I'm lucky I have about 2-3 inches above each cage to mount something. If not, is it possible to mount some Flexwatt high enough so that the heat radiates downward and the can't lay on top of it? Whoever designed these cages must have had a brain fart that day or didn't think the pet store that it was destined for was going to actually provide a heat lamp. It's getting cold here and I need to think of something quick. Thanks guys.

 

[ajkry2]

i think a pic of the cages would help us understand your "tight squeeze" :lol:

 

[GottemOnDubs]

I think you are right lol. It is a Companion Habitat XL

 

[JeffSimpson]

If not, is it possible to mount some Flexwatt high enough so that the heat radiates downward and the can't lay on top of it?

Heat typically doesn't radiate down.. And you are right, you really don't have much space. I suspect that enclosure was not made for bearded dragons, or any reptile that requires the head gradients the BDs need.

It's hard to get a sense of how high each enclosure is, but you might be able to get away with mounting an electrical box and ceramic fixture, and then a regular incandescent bulb. Because it's going to be inside, you won't be able to able to have a very high basking spot, maybe just a flat rock. You also need to think about some sort of guard over the light so that no one gets burned by getting curious.

 

[GottemOnDubs]

If not, is it possible to mount some Flexwatt high enough so that the heat radiates downward and the can't lay on top of it?

Heat typically doesn't radiate down.. And you are right, you really don't have much space. I suspect that enclosure was not made for bearded dragons, or any reptile that requires the head gradients the BDs need.

It's hard to get a sense of how high each enclosure is, but you might be able to get away with mounting an electrical box and ceramic fixture, and then a regular incandescent bulb. Because it's going to be inside, you won't be able to able to have a very high basking spot, maybe just a flat rock. You also need to think about some sort of guard over the light so that no one gets burned by getting curious.

What I meant by "radiate downward" was to make some sort of hide that was heated from the top. maybe I am just overthinking this? The room is kept at 80-85 during the day and 70-73 at night. I just can't help thinking they need a heat lamp...I never thought of a ceramic one. The problem too is that each cage has a metal mesh, basically perforated steel over the top of it, so that prevents me from having any fixture in the cage, but if I can get a ceramic one close enough, it should heat it and the mesh acts as a guard as well... Man, I was so happy about getting these cages, its been a headache from day one. They arent even my dragons, they are my brothers that I have to take care of lol. He owes me big. I was smart and got ball pythons...no UV, no special lamps, they eat once a week and crap once a month