Infrared debate

[MikeV]

Hey guys.

So I asked around A while ago and there seems to be some split opinions on infrared heat bulbs

Now I bought one and I dont know what to do with it. Somebody told me you shouldnt be able to see the light? But I can see it... so does that mean its not infrared?

So if I can see it, can my snake?

Im curious because some people say snakes AND people cannot see infrared. If this is true... then my bulb is not infrared and I should return it for a SECOND time and get a CHE?

Also UTH is out of the question because it raises my ground temps WAY to high, and the probe doesnt ever fall to 80. so setting it to 83 is not an option


Unless I raise my tank even higher?

Any help/opinions on this matter is greatly appreciated


EDIT:

Probably good to mention that I have a BLOOD python, not a ball. so temps jhave to stay 78 - 82 ground and ambient through the entire tank

[snakesRkewl]

The light should be a secondary source of heat, not a primary.

The UTH should be plugged into a thermostat, this is not an option, it's a must.
With a thermostat you will be able to set your "ground temp" to 90-92 and then add your secondary heat source for getting your ambient temperature correct.

A CHE is way better for this purpose, and last a lot longer too

"Probably good to mention that I have a BLOOD python, not a ball."

EDIT: *LOL, that sort of changes everything!*

[Ham]

Infrared is a whole spectrum of light, some parts of the spectrum are visible, I believe... (could be wrong on this one)

The bulb is probably putting out both visible and invisible infrared light, which produces the heat. The red bulbs are supposed to be invisible to the snake even if humans can see it...

[MikeV]

The light should be a secondary source of heat, not a primary.

The UTH should be plugged into a thermostat, this is not an option, it's a must.
With a thermostat you will be able to set your "ground temp" to 90-92 and then add your secondary heat source for getting your ambient temperature correct.

A CHE is way better for this purpose, and last a lot longer too

"Probably good to mention that I have a BLOOD python, not a ball."

EDIT: *LOL, that sort of changes everything!*

LOL! Yeah my bad I forgot to add it in the original before editing

Unfortunatly I am a brokey and cannot afford a proportional thermostat. I only have an On/off

So If I set it to turn off at 83, it is impossible for the probe to hit 80 and turn on again and repeat the cycle, because the room temp is above 80.

So... uth + thermostat with this snake in my room is nearly impossible unless I raise my tank even higher

BUT

If I use my 50 watt infrared, 24/7, will my snake be able to see it? Because it seems thats the only way to heat the tank and keep it at 78 - 82

edit:

the reason im posting here also, and not blood python forums, is because even thuogh tis 2 different snake, they are both snakes and some may have experience with infrared bulbs with BPs or bloods or whatever, so I believe this belongs here, or even BP husbandry. either one

[MikeV]

Anybody? lol

My main question is if snakes can see the infrared light, and should I return miune and just get a CHE.. At first I was confident that it was okay to run 24/7, but ive read several debates on it and again I am doubting it

Any info/advise is appreciated


thanks!

[Ham]

Snakes are not supposed to be able to see the red light from the infrared bulbs.

I use them at night and my snakes do not react to them...

[MikeV]

Snakes are not supposed to be able to see the red light from the infrared bulbs.

I use them at night and my snakes do not react to them...

Okay, thanks!

thats mainly what I needed to know. Althought I hope to switch to UTH when I get a tub.


Thanks again!

[kitedemon]

The short answer is no you can't see true ir, your bulbs are producing IR but also red light as they are very close together a CHE of the same wattage will produce more heat and less (no) light. No the red light will not bother your snake.

Long answer...

This is a bit academic here. Snakes absolutely sense IR, 'see' isn't quite right, it isn't visual but with the heat pits. Does IR sources bother them no it doesn't seem to. If you are seeing light from your bulbs (dark red right...) The visual spectrum is a little part of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... microwave, infrared, visual red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, ultraviolet, x-ray... There is a bit of a cross over at the junctions IR to red. You are seeing the crossing point. This also means that the bulbs you have are not deep in the IR range but the 'near' IR and are not producing very efficient heat. Again academic as it works so how cares? CHEs are in the deep IR range and produce no light only heat the light in this case is a bit of a by product and not really useful but hey you can check on what your snake is doing in the night.

[cinderbird]

Snakes are not supposed to be able to see the red light from the infrared bulbs.

Thats kind of an oxymoron since infrared isn't a visible part of the spectrum. http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/...m_spectrum.jpg

A true infrared just puts off heat. no visible light whatsoever (unless you've got very specific cut off filters that will allow inferred to pass through).

The red bulbs aren't infrared, they're just regular light bulbs with red coating on them.

[MikeV]

Thats kind of an oxymoron since infrared isn't a visible part of the spectrum. http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/...m_spectrum.jpg

A true infrared just puts off heat. no visible light whatsoever (unless you've got very specific cut off filters that will allow inferred to pass through).

The red bulbs aren't infrared, they're just regular light bulbs with red coating on them.

Soo...

I should return it and get a CHE...?

I just want something that will heat to what I need 78 - 82F and that wont diturb my snakes day/nigth cycle. If I have that already, no point in returning it

but if what I have will disrupt my snakes cycle, then I am returning it.

From what I am reading it seems to me that the bulb I have wont disrupt the cycle but does not produce the heat a CHE would...


is that fair to say or am I wrong again?