Heating lamp fire hazard...?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Bottomfeeder

Bottomfeeder

Dovii
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
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State of chaos
Hey all, I got a Zilla fixture and a 60W Daylight (Exo-Terra) bulb to heat the tank my Garter Snake is in. About 15 minutes after it being on, the fixture was burning hot to the touch. When my dad came in my room, he said he could feel the heat from the door, about 4 feet from the lamp. Now the Snake's hide is very shady, and I'd never leave the bulb on if I would be out, so I'm not worried about frying the Snake, more about damaging the screen top or even causing a fire. Anyone care to offer their 2 cents?:confused:
 
Bottomfeeder;3794179; said:
Hey all, I got a Zilla fixture and a 60W Daylight (Exo-Terra) bulb to heat the tank my Garter Snake is in. About 15 minutes after it being on, the fixture was burning hot to the touch. When my dad came in my room, he said he could feel the heat from the door, about 4 feet from the lamp. Now the Snake's hide is very shady, and I'd never leave the bulb on if I would be out, so I'm not worried about frying the Snake, more about damaging the screen top or even causing a fire. Anyone care to offer their 2 cents?:confused:
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I use zilla and zoo med with porcelein fixture. Is that the type you have?

I ask as think they make non porcelein fixture.

The dome itself will always be hot but its safe on a metal screen which I assume is screen you have. Its made to sit right on metal screen .

I think it can hold 150 watts but 60 watts is max bulb I have ever used/needed.

I just used them for 2 weeks during cold spell 24/7 and no problem. I used to use them 24/7 for months when I lived in NY.

I like the Exo-Terra bulbs a lot day/night . If 60 watts makes you nervous you can easily buy a lamp dimmer or herp dimmer and lower the wattage so fixture is less hot.
You only need to heat one area of tank any way.
This way you wont feel nervous when its on.

I dont know what size tank you have but in 20 gallons or less 40 watts bit less is fine. A sheet of tin foil simply laid (not attached) on remaining open screen holds heat well in tank.

I find at 30 watts you can touch the fixture but 60 its HOT but its made for that and more . Never had a problem.

DOME.JPG
 
my fixture is some kind of metal. Thanks for the info. I'll tell my Dad, as he seemed as worried as I was.

Cool Kingsnake, Louie.
 
if you got the smaller fixture then it is made to run up to a 60 watt bulb. the larger ones can hold to 150. you should still be able to hold your hand on the fixture for a few. it shouldnt be so hot that its going to burn you. if its getting that hot then i would be worried. i can hold both hands on those deep dome zoo med fixtures with a 160 running no prob. yes it can sit flush on the screen but the bulb shouldnt be touching the screen.

what size tank is your garter in anyways?
 
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