My Reptile brand basking light finally broke :(

[happiness]

My reptile brand basking light broke so I replaced it with a 60W house light bulb and ever since my veiled chameleon hasn't been basking as much as she would.. I don't know if it's because of the bulb or because of the activity around the cage. The lights have been on since 10am and it is 11:30am already and she still hasn't made her way to her basking area... Could she be sick? Or did I put in the wrong light bulb? Its 60W and it's a lot smaller than the reptile brand bulb I had before.

 

[erik775]

My reptile brand basking light broke so I replaced it with a 60W house light bulb and ever since my veiled chameleon hasn't been basking as much as she would.. I don't know if it's because of the bulb or because of the activity around the cage. The lights have been on since 10am and it is 11:30am already and she still hasn't made her way to her basking area... Could she be sick? Or did I put in the wrong light bulb? Its 60W and it's a lot smaller than the reptile brand bulb I had before.

What wattage was the bulb before?

 

[Seiryu]

Was the reptile brand basking bulb 60w as well, which is why you bought a 60w bulb?

Different brands might be hotter or cooler than other 60w bulbs. It shouldn't be TOO much different though.

Is it brighter or not as bright? How small is it compared to a regular house incandescent? There are some pretty tiny bulbs I wouldn't use.

 

[happiness]

It was a Zilla Day White 75w 120v Basking lamp

The 60W bulb was one I found in my closet. Would I need to get a 75W? I have a temperature gauge near the basking lamp and it is showing up as only 70F. The Zilla day bulb would reach 90+

She is now under the light thankfully! It usually doesn't take her as long.. Yesterday she left her perch at around 5pm and stayed there till the lights went out at 10pm! Very strange since she usually stays on her perch the whole time.. instead she hid in the dark of the leaves..

The bulb is about 3 inches long. The old bulb would actually touch the cage, this one is about 2 inches sunken in the lamp.

 

[Olimpia]

70F for the basking area is not warm enough, so perhaps you should try getting a 75w bulb and see if that gets your temps back to bout 80-85F.

I have found that a halogen light from Home Depot/Lowe's is warmer with a smaller wattage - such as, a 60w is warmer than a 70w incandescent, in my experience. I don't know if it varies by brand, however. I use something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...Flood-Light-Bulb-421438/203528711?N=bmg5Z15b#

 

[fuzzhc]

70F for the basking area is not warm enough, so perhaps you should try getting a 75w bulb and see if that gets your temps back to bout 80-85F.

I have found that a halogen light from Home Depot/Lowe's is warmer with a smaller wattage - such as, a 60w is warmer than a 70w incandescent, in my experience. I don't know if it varies by brand, however. I use something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...Flood-Light-Bulb-421438/203528711?N=bmg5Z15b#

^ this. Halogens/floodlights are always my first choice they focus The beam alot better

 

[happiness]

I just bought the one you posted and put it in my lamp. It is sunken in so the light doesn't actually "flood" since it doesn't stick out of the lamp.. would you suggest getting the bigger bulb? The next one up is this one

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...le-Halogen-Flood-Light-Bulb-419549/203231690#

They even had a two pack for only $4 more.

It seems to be the exact same thing, just a little longer.

 

[fuzzhc]

Not sure i know what you mean but the basking light doesn't have to fill the full cage, just shine down onto the basking spot…if you get me