How to install a heat lamp?

Ok guys... I went to lowe's, and their "experts" told me that I couldn't install a lamp without having some sort of huge box (transformer?) on the outside, and even went as far as to tell me my idea was useless and wasn't making any sense, especially in terms of "electrical hazards".

So i'm coming here to people who know what they are talking about.

Here's the deal.

Questions:
How do I install this, so that it will be right and safe from electrical hazards? Do I really have to have a huge "box" on the back of the cage? If I do have to have a box, would I just be better off buying a different type of fixture, and if so, what do you recommend?

Picture 1 and 2 - Here's where I'll be installing the light.
Picture 3 and 4 - here's the type of fixture, can handle 150watts.

Hey Daniel
I'm attaching 2 different pictures on installing those spots, 1 is the right way 2 is the wrong way(if you wanna get technical) these are both in my cages. The first picture is with a UL listed 1/2 plastic blue box (I painted it white) with the correct mounting plate screwed to the top of the cage. 2nd pictures is just the mounting plate itself (no box) screwed to the cage with the connection w/ wire nuts behind the mounting plate

Don't really understand the question. I'm an Electrician that builds acrylic cages on the side. Feel free to pm me and I can help you out.

Originally Posted by funguy@heart

Don't really understand the question. I'm an Electrician that builds acrylic cages on the side. Feel free to pm me and I can help you out.

Ok, well above is the picture of the light fixture i would like to install.

Basically, what I'm asking is: How can I install this in a safe, hazard-free way without the use of some sort of huge box on the outside of the cage?

(Lowe's hardware is the one that told me I'd need one of the boxes, but I honestly think they were just trying to sell me some crap I didn't need, because that's their job)

@crazycoolpaul

thanks! i'll have to go and look for one of those.

-Dan

Hey Paul,

where can i find one of these "UL listed 1/2 plastic blue box" and a mounting plate? Think Lowe's would have 'em?

Well i use home depot not sure how close you are to one. But there in the electrical isle, There not a nail on box or an old work box per say, the mounting plates i use are much shallow then the fixture you have because my cages are only 18 inches tall. there just outdoor flood rectangle mounting plates

nearest home depot is 45 mins away, and lowe's is only 10 mins away lol.

well, I guess i'll just get a different fixture then. The one i have has a circular base and i'm pretty sure it would be easier to find something like you have.

My cage is only 17" tall, I plan on using a lower wattage bulb.

Yeah i use 45 watt bulbs in my adult cages, and in my new reptile condos I'm building I'm only using 15-20 watt

Ok paul, while were on the topic of lighting, I have to ask: how far away from the bottom of the cage does the bulb have to be in order to achieve the basking temp of 100F-105F?

Originally Posted by blissful88

Ok paul, while were on the topic of lighting, I have to ask: how far away from the bottom of the cage does the bulb have to be in order to achieve the basking temp of 100F-105F?

assuming i'm using a 25 watt light bulb?