Exo terra hood and theromostat advice.

[Mark7616]

I have an exo terra hood it can take 2 bulbs up 2 26w. Now I am wanting to put a 26w 5.0 uv bulb in it and a 25w heat bulb. Now I want to fit a dimmer stat to the heat bulb but this also means it will be fitted to the uv bulb aswell as its all in one not a seperate switch each side can anyone tell me what will happen to the uv bulb when the stat clicks on????? Is this ok or is there going to be problems?

 

[Julirs]

If this is the hood that holds screw in bulbs then you want to replace it. Compact bulbs are dangerous. Also-25Watts is not generally going to put out enough heat.

 

[Mark7616]

Its a panther chameleon im talking about by the way. It is curently in a 45x45x45 as its approx 8 weeks old. It will go into a large flex in about 3 months. Which is why at the minute I am asking about the heat bulb and uv bulb on a stat what would happen when the stat kicks in.

 

[Julirs]

If you have a screw in UVB you will potentially have a blind chameleon so the stat won't matter. If stat means thermostat and the bulbs will be kicking on and off this is something you do not want to happen. Both bulbs need to remain on 10-12 hours daily.

 

[Mark7616]

The thermostat is to make sure that the heats bulb does not over heats its enclosure.

 

[Julirs]

So it will dim it or kick it off-either way is not favorable. You simply want to place your heat bulb so that it gives consistent heat to one area of the cage.

 

[Mark7616]

But surely without a thermostat it could overheat that one area do you see what I mean?

 

[Julirs]

I have 14 cages running with no thermostats with no problems. Do you have incredible power surges?

 

[Mark7616]

No not really I just wanted to be safe than sorry mate.

 

[Julirs]

That is a good plan! Just have a good digital thermometer on hand to montior temps-with good placement you should not see too much fluctation.

 

[Mark7616]

Will do I am starting to construct it actual habitat now I have 3 months to get it all perfect its just in a grow out tank at the minute as it is tiny. I am just posting some pics in the pic section.