Would increasing light wattage increase tank temp? How much?

[§lipperhead]

I have a pair of 40watt shop lights(I think around 4ft long) on my rack system. Today the sky were a bit cloudy and the temp only got to 70*F... Would increasing it to maybe 60watts get the temp to 78-80? This is a breeder viv with Pumilios so they like the slightly warmer atmosphere. Was also thinking about doing this for my Vents. Comments, suggestions, please post.

Thanks,
William

[Matt Mirabello]

Originally Posted by §lipperhead

I have a pair of 40watt shop lights(I think around 4ft long) on my rack system. Today the sky were a bit cloudy and the temp only got to 70*F... Would increasing it to maybe 60watts get the temp to 78-80? This is a breeder viv with Pumilios so they like the slightly warmer atmosphere. Was also thinking about doing this for my Vents. Comments, suggestions, please post.

The occasional 70 degree day will not adversely affect the frogs and I am a proponent of varied temperatures that mimic natural variation. Increasing the wattage will increase the heat, but hard to say how much. The lights produce a significant amount of heat, but most of it is lost to the room. Adding reflectors or insulation to the tank can help conserve the heat you are already producing. Alternatively you can get a probe thermostat and hook it up to an alternate heat source that can add extra heat as needed.
Summer is approaching and you may find that heating is not your greatest issue.

[§lipperhead]

Thanks Matt. I know during the hot summer days, temperature increase in the frog room to 85+ on the hottest days. But his year I am perpared, using 8 vents/ 10gal tank and 10 for the others, and fans on top. I think trying out teh reflectors wouldn't hurt too much; where can I pick some up? Would making some out of tin foil be logical?

Thanks for the help,
William

[Matt Mirabello]

Originally Posted by §lipperhead

up? Would making some out of tin foil be logical?

Aluminum foil is cheap and easy. Be sure to use the shiny side.
I use it on my window in summer to keep the heat down in the frog room

[Corpus Callosum]

Using a flat white paint will reflect more light than tin foil. But the best material to get on the fly would be mylar.