Wattage and Heating

[Jason]

So i was looking around the net trying for the life of me to build a tank for a buddy whos not looking to spend money on stuff he dosent have to and my question is this .

Is there a site or does anyone here have a list of Wattage as it pertaines to the depth of heat from a single bulb across the varying size's? let me provide an example of tottaly made up numbers.

A 150W incandescent bulb will at 30'' from source to substrate record on a thermometer a reading of 100 degrees

A 125W incandescent bulb will at 30'' from the source to the substrate record on a thermometer a reading of 75 degrees

Perhaps if none can be found can i ask if we as a group can maybe slide our thermometers under our lamps and record the numbers, type of bulb and wattage (ie) 150w Ceramic Emiiter or 250w incandescent and total distance from source to substrate.

Thanks in advance ~ jason ~

Reason i ask is he does not want to spend the extera money on a thermostat or find he has to much or to little wattage

[harrywitmore]

Being that my experience in keeping reptiles is mostly from the 70's and all you could get in the way of a thermostat was a chicken incubator thermostat, I think you really need one regardless. Ambient temperatures are going to make this number hard to nail down as does type of bulb etc. I have seen many snakes an lizards fried by a 100w bulb. This is just not where you should cut cost.

This is only my opinion. Others may have totally different opinions based on up to date info.

[beckdg]

due to human error, shipping, electrical properties, manufacturers constantly changing/improving product line... this info you ask will be not useful at all or for long. plus when the bulbs get older they will tend to change their temps.

i agree w/both of you... it would be nice to know as it would help determine what bulb to buy... and relying on average temp for a certain model will eventually turn disastrous.

i'd say borrow a neighbors/friends thermometer to set your bulb regardless... and look to get one in the near future. it doesn't have to be super accurate/expensive... it just needs to go above necessary temp. i have used meat thermometers several times! mom wasn't so happy the first time, but she got over that almost 20 yrs ago.

if this thread works out and people start posting temps... i'd be happy to test what i have... it may take a while... but it could help others with initial purchases, and that is when your pets put the biggest strain on your pocket.

[Jason]

Hes going to have a thermometer, he didnt want to spend the cash on a Thermostat or Rheostat, I understand all the variables mentioned by Beckdg and agree fully,I also agree that with ever changeing product lines adds an additional variable you cant ever guage account for till you buy it. my goal was to figure out an average at a certian depth vs requirements, when ive asked, and i know we all have when starting out " what kinda bulb do i need" to our LPS store clerk thay mostly blurt out a high wattage thay feel will work on the high end temps the herp needs, not actually knowing we have a rock or ledge 6'' away from the source when it should be more like 12''. Some clerks may already posess a working knowledge of temp VS distance but most ppl here in the superstores like Superpets or PJ'S Pets are just quoteing textbooks and guessing on distance.

I think if this can be done a definite disclaimer should be added that mentions Beckdg's variables, and that this info is no replacement for a digital thermometer, but rather a simplistic guide to what range of wattage should be picked up VS tank size and depth from source prior to landscapeing.

Maybe this is one of those things that just cant be done lol, just boggled my mind when he asked and i couldnt answer with any certainty.