Deep dome or mini deep dome for reptisun 5.0?
- Thread starter cstorms
- Start date
DanSB
Avid Member
I bought a silver shop light from the hardware store for 1/8th the cost of either (it isn't as pretty though).
I have the same bulb and you would need the regular deep for it to fit. I personally think the shop light works better because it allows for greater coverage where as these domes tend to focus the light too much for my taste.
DanSB
Avid Member
In case you don't know what were talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Edge-150-Watt-Incandescent-6-Foot/dp/product-description/B00076Q0FQ
That or something similar can be found in every hardware store on earth.
http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Edge-150-Watt-Incandescent-6-Foot/dp/product-description/B00076Q0FQ
That or something similar can be found in every hardware store on earth.
Wykd
Established Member
lol too funny those are the exact ones I replaced my reptile domes with. And before someone tells you they are unsafe and get the ones with ceramic bulb base dont believe the hype.
You will either use a 40 or 25w bulb in these lights most likely and they are UL tested and rated to 150 I believe. So paying 20 plus for a "reptile" light is silly!
Wykd
Established Member
I just reread the original post... your not talking about a basking light your talking about the uvb light. You really need to mount that cfl sideways with a reflector behind it so it has a higher coverage area. Or just take that little cfl back and by a fluorescent linear version and light fixture, which is the better solution.
reptilover
New Member
I noticed today that petsmart has a deep dome uvbx2 fixture that's ment for the cfls its ultra reflective on the inside. Like mirror chrome. It's nice but cost a pretty penny u better belive!
Wykd
Established Member
You mean this:
or this:
The top would be ok I guess, but overall cost would be more than a t8 tubular uvb and fixture I would think. 2 lights to buy plus fixture...
the 2 cfl 5.0 would be over 60.00 and then a fixture is 30ish... so 100 or so that route.
1 t8 cfl 5.0 30ish and a fixture 30ish.. so around 30 or so less than the dual cfl solution.
The only reason I put all that info there is because 1 cfl uvb will not work unless your in a small enclosure and then needs to be side mounted to get more coverage.
DanSB
Avid Member
The CFL in the shop light works fine for UVB CFLs depending on the size of your enclosure. I have a 16 x 16 x 30 for my Senegal and get ample coverage. The light actually sticks out of the bottom a little and lets me angle it to get good light. My chameleon will go sit under it if he needs more UVB and I have seen 0 squinting or other supposed negative effects. I can imagine in anything bigger the linear would be preferable to get ample coverage.
I also use a shop light for my basking light too and lean it on the clf shop light to regulate the temperature. It works great the top basking area is almost always 90 at the bottom of the basking area with the very top of the cage being 100. My enclosure is very heavily planted and set up to allow self regulation and a wide variety of light and temp conditions.
Wykd
Established Member
Please clarify what you are trying to do. UVB or basking spot, and what size enclosure. 
You wouldn't use a cfl/uvb for the basking spot which is what uses the domes we are talking about.
the uvb light you mentioned in the 1st post sounds like the cfl lights hence my over outlining in the last few posts.
You wouldn't use a cfl/uvb for the basking spot which is what uses the domes we are talking about.
the uvb light you mentioned in the 1st post sounds like the cfl lights hence my over outlining in the last few posts.
ataraxia
Avid Member
regarding the dome question.
I tried to use a regular 8.5 shop dome with a reptisun cfl and it did not work. These are longer than the spiral coil type and stuck out the bottom. So if you rest your dome on top of the cage. The bulb will actually pivot on itself. To make this work you would need to suspend, buy the deep dome or buy the clamp dome from walmart that is 10.5". I think they are around 10 bucks or so and ceramic. That way if you ever need to put anything above 100 watts in it you will be safe.
I tried to use a regular 8.5 shop dome with a reptisun cfl and it did not work. These are longer than the spiral coil type and stuck out the bottom. So if you rest your dome on top of the cage. The bulb will actually pivot on itself. To make this work you would need to suspend, buy the deep dome or buy the clamp dome from walmart that is 10.5". I think they are around 10 bucks or so and ceramic. That way if you ever need to put anything above 100 watts in it you will be safe.
DanSB
Avid Member
regarding the dome question.
I tried to use a regular 8.5 shop dome with a reptisun cfl and it did not work. These are longer than the spiral coil type and stuck out the bottom. So if you rest your dome on top of the cage. The bulb will actually pivot on itself. To make this work you would need to suspend, buy the deep dome or buy the clamp dome from walmart that is 10.5". I think they are around 10 bucks or so and ceramic. That way if you ever need to put anything above 100 watts in it you will be safe.
I liked that it sticks a little out of the bottom it allows me to place the fixture and aim it to get greater coverage. I didn't like the straight up and down. I don't have a solar meter but in theory it should work because the cfl is supposed to be more concentrated...
cstorms
New Member
Is it ok to have the light sticking out the bottom resting on top of the cage? Isn't that a fire hazard?
I was looking at the deep dome lights because they completely house the Reptisun 5.0. Does the lamp you sent me completely enclose the longer reptisun bulb?
cstorms
New Member
Please clarify what you are trying to do. UVB or basking spot, and what size enclosure.
You wouldn't use a cfl/uvb for the basking spot which is what uses the domes we are talking about.
the uvb light you mentioned in the 1st post sounds like the cfl lights hence my over outlining in the last few posts.
Honestly I am trying to get the proper setup in general.
My cage is about 1.5'x1.5'x2'. I am looking into getting the extra large reptibreeze cage soon since mine is too small.
I have a ReptiSun 5.0 that is currently cased in a "Zoo Med deluxe porcelain clamp lamp" 8.5". It sticks out the bottom like DanSB was talking about. I took two little pieces of wood and screwed them together and have it resting on that so its not making direct contact with anything. It is about 2/2.5" from the top of the cage. This is the reason I want a deep dome lamp, so I don't have to rest it on the bulb or my little wood prop.
On the side of the cage I have a regular house lamp. I took the lamp shade off so there is just a bare bulb there about 6 inches from the side of the cage.. This can't be right, how should I setup a basking spot? I definitely need some help in the lighting department.
Wykd
Established Member
you need to get the uvb out of the dome and in to a side way mounted terrarium light. Then you can put the light bulb in that dome and make your basking spot under it. On the matter of uvb and the cage size... I would not rely on that little cfl uvb to be enuff for a 2x2x4, you need to visit diycages.com or amazon and buy a linear light fixture. imo.
DanSB
Avid Member
I'm no fire inspector (though I have been fined by them in the past) but I can touch a CFL bulb when it is on and I happen to believe that combustion of most materials will not happen at a temperature I can touch...
As far as Wykd saying to get another bulb I think it is fine for your current set up but when you expand he is right get a linear or at least a horizontal hood with 2 CFLs.
cstorms
New Member
The uvb is the reptisun 5.0 right? can you post a link of a sideways mounted terrarium light that would fit the reptisun 5.0? Would I need to get a second reptisun 5.0 or do you recommend a stronger light that would light the whole 2x2x4 cage to replace the reptisun 5.0? Any help is much appreciated by my cham and me
cstorms
New Member
so would 2 reptisun 5.0s be sufficient for the extra large reptibreeze?
