Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
I used to have some sort of dimmer on my hermit crab enclosures years ago but can’t remember what I used.
What do I need to buy to be able to dim my basking bulb?
- Thread starter Lindasjackson
- Start date
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Last edited:
Herpstats work really well if your wanting it to be controlled by temp at basking. Otherwise if you want to be able to manually adjust than there are a few companies that make a fixture with dimmer control on it. Flukers being one of them. These are the cheaper option. Herpstats will cost some money but are fantastic.
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thank you!
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
1. A dimmable bulb
2. A dimmer (IMO, the hard part)
There are all kinds of dimmers, both manual and automatic (time/temperature/humidity/other-controlled). It might be best to decide exactly what you want it to do, how often, and when, then begin a search for dimmers with features that fit your criteria.
Once you know exactly what you want (feature-wise), this is my go-to source for controllers:
https://www.coolerguys.com/
They were very helpful on the phone.
2. A dimmer (IMO, the hard part)
There are all kinds of dimmers, both manual and automatic (time/temperature/humidity/other-controlled). It might be best to decide exactly what you want it to do, how often, and when, then begin a search for dimmers with features that fit your criteria.
Once you know exactly what you want (feature-wise), this is my go-to source for controllers:
https://www.coolerguys.com/
They were very helpful on the phone.
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
I just want to be able to dim my basking bulb a little when temp goes over 80 because Eustis starts gaping then. Is not there a dimmer I can use with my halogen bulb that can allow me to do that? My bulb isn’t like a 3 level bulb like in a lamp.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Different tech. 3-way bulbs actually have 2 or 3 (switched) filaments; a dimmable bulb has one that dims by reducing the current to the bulb.
You're describing a temperature-controlled dimmer, but if Eustis' temp goes that high, would it do to just switch the lamp off? Still temp-controlled.
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
That’s what I’ve been doing but then the temp at basking goes down to 70-71 and he goes and hides. I feel like he still wants to bask. His ideal basking temp is around 79-80.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think a temp-controlled light might do it. I have a temp controlled fan (just connected to a fan instead of a light) in my beardie box; when the temp hits 90, the fan turns on, and turns off at 88. I could have attached it to the basking light the same way, but I also wanted to provide some air-changes.
A temp-controlled fan might work for you too. You could keep the basking light on as you wish, but have a fan draw the excess heat out when it goes above (lets say) 80, and turns off at 78-79. This could supplement your ventilation as well (if needed).
A temp-controlled fan might work for you too. You could keep the basking light on as you wish, but have a fan draw the excess heat out when it goes above (lets say) 80, and turns off at 78-79. This could supplement your ventilation as well (if needed).
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
I guess I’m just going to buy a sliding dimmer they sell on Amazon for about $12.00. It has a sliding dimmer with a spot for you to plug in a light and then it has a cord to plug into the wall. I could use a lower watt bulb but soon here I will have to use a higher watt bulb because temps are cooling off fast here in Maine and I don’t want to have to keep changing bulbs in and out. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it.
Coop
Avid Member
Are you looking at these?
https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Crede...pd_rd_i=B0000BYEF6&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_6_t
Don't. I have two for when I was trying things out for Pete. I never opened the second one because the first nearly caused the basking bulb to explode.
https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Crede...pd_rd_i=B0000BYEF6&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_6_t
Don't. I have two for when I was trying things out for Pete. I never opened the second one because the first nearly caused the basking bulb to explode.
Lindasjackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Oh no! I just bought one!! Well I guess I will have to find something else then. I don’t want my basking bulb to explode! Thank you for warning me. 
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