General Care Discussion :: zoo med basking lights

[DAKELLOGG]

I was wondering if anyone else has problems with the zoo med basking lights blowing out? We have been using them in our tank for the past year and all of the sudden we have had to replace the bulbs about weekly because they are blowing out. We have even replaced clamp on light but that didn't keep them from blowing out. The light is hung above the tank so water can't
get on the bulbs. We don't know what to do. We can't continue replacing the bulbs weekly not at 9 dollars a pop. Help.....

[scripta_elegans]

I had a zoo med night bulb explode. I have been using ceramic heat emitters with a UVB bulb ever since. They are more expensive initially, but they can last for up to 5 years!
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18504/si1381083/cl0/zoomedceramicinfaredheatemmitter60watts
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11291&N=2006+22787

[goatfarmer123]

i had exactly the same problem. one lasted only three days! i kept returning them to petsmart and they were getting tired of refunding them. i went though 4 single bulb sets before i told them to credit the balance toward a double bulb set and i've had no problems so far with that. maybe it was just a bad batch that happened to get nationally distributed....

[marisa]

Zoo-Med bulbs seem to have longevity issues...For a basking light, I'd just use a regular lightbulb (your turtle still needs a UVB light in addition to the basking light, though).

Maybe you're using one already, but using a ceramic fixture to screw the bulb into is thought to prolong the life of bulbs that give off heat.