Which timer???

[Nick]

Hi all, I'm setting up an enclosure, and slowly buying everything I need. Next on the list is a timer for the lights and heating. I've been reading some posts etc and most use a normal mechanical timer. Just wondering if the very sudden turning on the lights will annoy the beardie or not?? Well, I know that if someone turns on the light whilst I'm sleeping, I'll get pretty annoyed!! Especially if it happens every morning!!

So just wondering if there is any timer that can gradually turn on the lights?? So it starts out dim and after a while, (maybe several seconds or so), it goes to full brightness.

I've seen some electronic timers, but they seem pretty complicated to use.

Any thoughts, ideas, comments would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

[dragonlover1]

I've never had any problems with that,sometimes they're awake before the timer even comes on.They just adapt to your version of day,it's like you waking up at the same time for work.

[DisturbedDave]

An important question before finding a timer, is working out what method you are using for heating/lighting.
Some heating options require dimming thermostats (the Arcadia Deep Heat Emitter I am using can ONLY be used on a dimming thermostat).

To answer your question more directly, depending on the UVB you are providing, most UVB bulbs won't take to dimming etc, so there won't be much of an alternative. In saying that, I've never had issues with instant on/off with my beardie or water dragons

[Nick]

I've got the Philips globes from Bunnings, 100, 75 and 60 watts. Heat testing of these still to be done. And also have a 13 watt 10.0 UVB spiral flouro globe with spares. Just as a thought, I've got a 5ft tank, and I know that one end is where I put the heating and UVB....do I need to put another UVB at the other end, so the beardie can still get his uv intake way over there??

And also, if my cool end is way to cool, can I put another heat globe a little further towards the centre, so basically, in effect creating two basking spots?? Obviously I'll have to keep an eye on temps and adjust accordingly.

And I'm not planning on using a thermostat, unless you guys highly recommend it.

[dragonlover1]

I would suggest instead of 13W UV get some 25W or since you have several maybe put extra 1 in the middle or else put a 3' or maybe even a 4'flouro tube for more light.
I use the 13W in small enclosures and 25W in bigger enclosures except for my large enclosures where I use MVB plus a standard flouro for extra light.
I don't recommend thermos at all except for the incubator.All of my enclosures are controlled by timers,if it's going to be a hot day I change the timers to suit.longer siesta for a hotter day etc.

[Nick]

Yeah, I was thinking the same. I've played around with the Philips bulbs, and I'm not sure I'm getting the results I need. I put my hand under it and it doesn't seem to throw out much heat. I used a fish aquarium mercury thermometer and it showed off the scale (40 deg C), but still felt just warm, not hot. I'm still waiting on some digital thermometers that I ordered off ebay. So much more testing still to be done.

[dragonlover1]

Get a laser temp gun,you can get spot temps anywhere you want
http://www.abdfreptilesupplies.com.a...product_id=168