Light dimmer question

[Gretchen]

Hello guys,

Does anyone happen to know if you can use a light dimmer timer on a UVB tube light or is it just for the basking light?
I'm looking to get one for Gretchen and just curious if it would work on both or not?

Thanks!

 

[CooperDragon]

A dimmer won't work on a fluorescent tube. You'd only want to dim the basking light or overnight ceramic heat emitter though. Dimmers work well on halogen bulbs and are a good option if you have a fixed height.

 

[Gretchen]

A dimmer won't work on a fluorescent tube. You'd only want to dim the basking light or overnight ceramic heat emitter though. Dimmers work well on halogen bulbs and are a good option if you have a fixed height.

Hey CooperDragon!! That's what i thought/read but wanted to be sure before i ordered one! What would the halogen be used for? UVB?

thx for the reply as always youre extremely helpful

 

[CooperDragon]

No the halogen bulbs produce heat and bright light so they're good for basking lights.

 

[Gretchen]

No the halogen bulbs produce heat and bright light so they're good for basking lights.

Ah gotcha. Ill just dim her heat source then. i was hoping to dim them both gradually on and off to stimulate natural light but the basking spot alone will be just fine !!! Thx again

 

[CooperDragon]

I do that using a programmable thermostat. It slowly brings the basking light up in the morning. Then about an hour later the UVB turns on via mechanical on/off timer, then it turns off about an hour before "sunset" and the basking light dims to off in the evening.

 

[Gretchen]

I do that using a programmable thermostat. It slowly brings the basking light up in the morning. Then about an hour later the UVB turns on via mechanical on/off timer, then it turns off about an hour before "sunset" and the basking light dims to off in the evening.

See i have this thermostat thing

but after i purchased it i was told that when it reaches its programmed temp it shuts off. So shed be in the dark (except the uvb) until her spot cooled down. So right now this controls her cool end and night time temps with a CHE. I actually wanted a dimming thermostate but couldnt find one anywhere here in Montreal or Canada really.

Which one do you have that slowly brings the basking light up?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah the on/off thermostats are best used for a CHE. I have a Herpstat 2 which controls both my heat projector and daytime basking light.

 

[Gretchen]

Yeah the on/off thermostats are best used for a CHE. I have a Herpstat 2 which controls both my heat projector and daytime basking light.

Whoa so many different versions of the Herpstat.. ill have to read up on whats different between them all. Thanks for the info

 

[CooperDragon]

There are a lot of brands but I think in the Herpstat line the numbers have a lot to do with the amount of lights they control. My Herpstat2 has two outlets and two temp probes to control two lights. The Herpstat1 has one outlet and temp probe etc...

 

[Gretchen]

There are a lot of brands but I think in the Herpstat line the numbers have a lot to do with the amount of lights they control. My Herpstat2 has two outlets and two temp probes to control two lights. The Herpstat1 has one outlet and temp probe etc...

Yah i just noticed the different amounts of outlets on them. Ill check out to see if Canada has any similar models to this and Herpstat doesnt seem to be available here.