Repti Glo bulbs burning out

[captbob]

Hello all, I have been reading this forum for a couple months now - since I rescued an iguana and needed information on caring for it. I have enjoyed the posts, iguana pictures and feel I have gotten to know you folks (and your pets) even tho I wasn't posting.

Now, I have a question that I can't find an answer for anywhere else. I am going thru Exo-terra Repti Glo 5.0 compact bulbs at a disturbing rate. Burned out 3 this month and it's getting old... plus, I'm probably starting to p*ss off the staff at Petsmart!

These bulbs have all been in different fixtures, so that's not the source of the problem. Short of switching bulb type, which I may do but the Petsmart is very close by, anyone have any thoughts (or experiences) as to why these bulbs don't last?

Thanks for any help! And, without further delay, please allow me to introduce to the group...

Mr. Ted

[prismwolf]

*GASP* You know how to make an entrance! What a nice set-up and a gorgeous ig! Welcome to the surface....

As for your electrical problem...that's what it sounds like. Since the compacts are not made for iguanas anyway...I would suggest going with something more appropriate. Since you won't want to spend a lot of reconfiguring your lighting setup...a Mega Ray EB would work great for your set-up. BUT...you want to find out why bulbs are blowing. You don't want to blow a $40 bulb...or the ballast.

Is everything on a single power strip or surge protector? Are the compacts the only thing you have issues with? Could it be a bad fuse that's on it's way out? I'm no electrician, but if you have a friend who is one...I would ask for a little help since it's very odd for those bulbs to do that - let a lone 3 times in succession.

[captbob]

Hi Prism and thank you for the welcome. The bulbs haven't even all been in Mr Ted's house when they burn out. I lost one today on his outside (screened porch) shelf. That bulb was 3 days old...

I plan to upgrade my lighting to the Mega Ray bulbs, but just hate losing 50 bucks to all these defective bulbs. That's a month couple weeks worth of food!

I kinda like to at least get some life out of these bulbs as I have 3 of them, but maybe it's just going to be a learning experience.

And now, the obligatory Mr Ted picture...
(he get's bent out of shape if he's not the center of attention!)

[starmanp]

wow he's nice and love the Enclosure he's just chillen on the bike LOL... as for the lights thats has me baffled it could be getting wet or the plug outlet that getting to much power, or a short in your plug try a different outlet in your house and see if it does the same thing but try a cheap light first hopefully you can fix the problem, wish you the best

[captbob]

Hi Starman, thanks for the post. He does seem to be a very happy critter!

I've pretty much given up on trying to figure these lights out. They have been on different circuits and in different fixtures when they burn out. What sucks is that I have 3 (one now burned out) of these 5.0 and 1 of the 10.0 bulbs that don't seem to be living up to expectations. I doubt that Petsmart will take them all back in trade for a couple of the fluoresent tubes that I could use as back-ups.

Just wanted to post an update and say that yesterday I ordered 2 100 wt and 1 160 wt Mega-Ray bulbs along with a UV meter. Hope these bulbs end my lighting frustrations.

Mr. Ted is going to have to go out and find a job if this keeps up!

[starmanp]

thats cool i hope you fix your lighting trouble to LOL.. he is a beautiful iguana how safe are them shelvings? i would be afraid mine would get his leg stuck in them i got my lightings from petco... i would love a big cage like that if i had the room for it lOL ... keep us updated on the lightings

[prismwolf]

Those shelves are very safe and easy to clean. I've used them and always have some on standby. If Petsmart doesn't take them back )they should as long as you're still within the warratny time) - contact the manufacturer themselves. Sometimes they will work with the customer depending on the circumstance. I sure can't hurt. The Mega Ray will be a huge boost. You'll see a marked improvement in your igs activity levels and appetite...:-)