Re: New questions about Active UV

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Posted by cwatbay on November 05, 2001 at 08:46:19:

In Reply to: New questions about Active UV posted by Michelle B on November 05, 2001 at 08:12:18:

I have a few answers to your questions.
The Zoo Med bulbs do not look the same as the UV Active Heat bulbs as advertised on the Active Heat page, I don't know why . The prices are about the same - Active UV being around 5 dollars more - 160's for $ 55 and the 275's for $ 60. I did not see that Zoo Med had the 275 watts though.

According to the spec's, you should consider a 160 watt flood, otherwise all you will get is about a 5 inch spot of light concentrated on one spot at the distance you are talking about. This spot would be quite hot, assuming you were using a spot light instead of a flood light.

You have to use a ceramic type outlet, otherwise the heat would melt the plastic type which is what is normally found with most hood enclosures. The hardware store should have these, but you will have to wire and connect the ceramic outlet to the hood, unless you pay the money to the pet supply place for a hood enclosure with the ceramic outlet already assembled ( I am assuming you are talking about a bell shaped hood ).

As far as cutting a hole in the wood top --- I would suggest you cut the hole with at least an inch distance all the way around from the light. I would also suggest that you get some light weight sheet metal ( most hardware stores have this in various thicknesses ) cut a hole in it the same size as the hole in the wood. I personally would cover the inside and outside of the hole. The metal serves as a heat barrier, otherwise the heat from the bulb would certainly burn the wood. If you are worried about JJ getting out around the bulb, then I would also add metal screen across the hole, or, cut the metal sheeting so that only the neck of the bulb fits through it.

All of my enclosures have false ceilings with sunken light and heat fixtures which is how I got my experience on this. Also, almost any opening with space around the light or heat fixture is going to be a way for the animal to escape. I found this out the hard way too.

You might want to try beanfarm.com, they have UV heat bulbs for $39.00 ( which sounds really cheap and it makes me wonder ), LLL Reptile has Zoo Med for around $50, almost everyone else is in the $55 to $60 dollar range. Good luck. CW

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: I have a few answers to your questions. : The Zoo Med bulbs do not look the same as the UV Active Heat bulbs as advertised on the Active Heat page, I don't know why . The prices are about the same - Active UV being around 5 dollars more - 160's for $ 55 and the 275's for $ 60. I did not see that Zoo Med had the 275 watts though. : According to the spec's, you should consider a 160 watt flood, otherwise all you will get is about a 5 inch spot of light concentrated on one spot at the distance you are talking about. This spot would be quite hot, assuming you were using a spot light instead of a flood light. : You have to use a ceramic type outlet, otherwise the heat would melt the plastic type which is what is normally found with most hood enclosures. The hardware store should have these, but you will have to wire and connect the ceramic outlet to the hood, unless you pay the money to the pet supply place for a hood enclosure with the ceramic outlet already assembled ( I am assuming you are talking about a bell shaped hood ). : As far as cutting a hole in the wood top --- I would suggest you cut the hole with at least an inch distance all the way around from the light. I would also suggest that you get some light weight sheet metal ( most hardware stores have this in various thicknesses ) cut a hole in it the same size as the hole in the wood. I personally would cover the inside and outside of the hole. The metal serves as a heat barrier, otherwise the heat from the bulb would certainly burn the wood. If you are worried about JJ getting out around the bulb, then I would also add metal screen across the hole, or, cut the metal sheeting so that only the neck of the bulb fits through it. : All of my enclosures have false ceilings with sunken light and heat fixtures which is how I got my experience on this. Also, almost any opening with space around the light or heat fixture is going to be a way for the animal to escape. I found this out the hard way too. : You might want to try beanfarm.com, they have UV heat bulbs for $39.00 ( which sounds really cheap and it makes me wonder ), LLL Reptile has Zoo Med for around $50, almost everyone else is in the $55 to $60 dollar range. Good luck. CW

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