Wattage basking bulbs are you using ?

[geordie mark]

The thing is I'm looking to be moving out from my parents within the year however they hate the idea of the heat bulbs being on (especially in winter) for hours a day and really begrudge them the heat. Now for basking bulbs I use B&Q 100w bayonet bulbs..
What do you use ? What is the wattage ? I need to get the wattage down for the winter took keep my fathers face straight. Any ideas ? This goes for all 3 of the tortoises I have.

(This is just in preparation the great weather we've been having they've all been outside for most of the day or like today when its been alot colder atleast an hour)

[Catwoman63]

Ordinary light bulbs don't cost much to run in my opinion, do you give them money towards the bills? If so I don't think they can complain much really lol, I use 100watt reflector bulbs from asdas and of course uvb tubes, my electric hasn't gone up that much x

[emma_mcraf]

I use 100w bulbs through the winter too. I'm not sure 60w would get the temperatures high enough during the cold days.

[geordie mark]

They have been using these bulbs for 7 years lol he's just complaining now lol. I pay £50 a week board "/

[Arcadiajohn]

If you want to save money on running costs go halogen!

A halogen heat lamp uses halogen gases to produce vast amounts of light and heat. They also have a very thick metal reflector which stops the heat going backwards out of the lamp. So much heat is wasted from spray on reflectors!

In simile terms and in an average house a 50w halogen heatspot will do a very similar job to a 100watt tungsten which have to be the most in-efficient means of providing heat had light.

That's cuts your costs by half right off! And they blow a lot less especially when used with a stat.

Good luck

John

[Merlin M]

Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn

If you want to save money on running costs go halogen!

A halogen heat lamp uses halogen gases to produce vast amounts of light and heat. They also have a very thick metal reflector which stops the heat going backwards out of the lamp. So much heat is wasted from spray on reflectors!

In simile terms and in an average house a 50w halogen heatspot will do a very similar job to a 100watt tungsten which have to be the most in-efficient means of providing heat had light.

That's cuts your costs by half right off! And they blow a lot less especially when used with a stat.

Good luck

John

Can you use halogen on normal fittings or would you need new ones? (sorry if that is a really daft question!)

[geordie mark]

The only halogen bulbs I've seen are twin pronged :S you can probably buy a screw or bayonet to the prongs.

[Ozric Jonathan]

My favorite halogen is a 100 watt par 38 sylvania or similar make:

http://www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=7543

This gives a great heat and light for your money both on cost of lamp and running costs. In many indoors set-ups the 100 watt will be more than enough and depending on your background temperature a 75watt or 50 watt will do it.

Personally I do use ceramic fittings because the lamps do get very hot. But there is no need to pay more than £5 for a ceramic bulb holder with cable.

[Lynnie Lou]

I buy a Halagen screw fitting 100 watt bulb from Sainsbury's. £2.69, hasn't blown in a year, they're guaranteed for two.

[geordie mark]

Probably gunna go for a 60w halogen and see what happens with a retro fitted dimmer. I'm quite manually dexterous then I can adjust the voltage to achieve the correct basking temperature