Basking bulb question

[MollyT]

I have been using a regular household bulb for basking. I have been using the round kind that's been around forever. Well, I dropped the fixture last night and broke the bulb, and it was the last one we had like that. The only ones we have around the house to replace it are the new, spiral bulbs. Are those okay to use? Do they produce heat like the other ones? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but my husband was afraid to replace it with one of those bc of what we always heard about the spiral UVB bulbs(which I know is kind of a controversial subject and I'm not wanting to get into all of that on this thread). Anyway....when he said that, it got me to thinking if it was okay to use the newer kind of household bulb as a basking bulb. Any input of help would be appreciated. Until I work this out, Kush doesn't have a basking bulb.

 

[AngieL]

Hi! I wouldn't use them because they are very low wattage and don't hear up much, that's the point of those spiral ones to save energy and last longer. Just use any other incandescent household bulb. Or run to the store

 

[MollyT]

He is running to the neighbors' right now to ask. It's sad and a bit embarrassing to say, but we live paycheck to paycheck and just spent all of our extra money yesterday on crickets and rats(for Zack's snakes), so we don't have money to get light bulbs right now. Certainly we can find one at the neighbors! I heard they are planning on phasing out the round bulbs. What in the world are we supposed to do if that happens? I know some stores don't even sell that kind anymore.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Psychobunny]

I have the X-lg size Reptibreeze cages and a 40W incan. household bulb gives my guyz 85 to 90F at 8'' basking distance.

Those spiral flourescent bulb do not produce much heat at all, so dont want to use those for basking.

I also use those deep dome Exo-Terra fixtures with the shiny polished reflectors, so I think that increases the effectivness of the bulbs.

I actually had to replace the 40w with a 25w on Noogie's cage because he was getting to warm.

 

[MollyT]

Yeah, I have the dome fixtures that I use. It love it! We finally found the extra box of bulbs that I knew we had somewhere, but had misplaced, so all is good! Poor little Kush refused to move from his sleepy spot until I put his basking light on his cage! haha He was awake and everything, and his UVB light was on, but he didn't move until I finally got the bulb replaced and put the fixture back on his cage! He's such a funny little guy!

 

[Decadancin]

First of all, many of us live paycheck to paycheck, and most of the checks go to our animals!!! Don't worry too much about finding these bulbs. They are still making them and will likely always make them for pet use. This will be more expensive (of course) but there will be an option.