Lighting - (heating) Question

[ride_gnu]

For my new setup I have a UTH under the hot side and two large black tank top fixutres for bulbs. I was running two red infared lights on dimmers 24/7 to keep a proper ambient temperature (which is neccesary as I like my house pretty cold), but I also sleep in the same room so I was debating the CHE's might be nicer and easier to sleep with. Are they better for worse for my snake? And do I need a special fixture to run them and willthey run on dimmers?

Now the tank is right beside two large windows that bring in alot of natural light. Should I still have any day/night lighting along with the day/night heating? And if so what type of bulbs this websiet has so many;

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/lighting_info.php

[Oxylepy]

Personally I just use black lights. My adult male seems not to mind them on all day (he is still active at night), but I cover my baby females with a towel overnight to give them extra security. The amount of light produced is quite low so it doesn't keep me up at night and it keeps it warm enough at only 120w (2 60w).

But I always thought the ceramic ones would be nice, however at like 20~30 dollars a bulb, that's pretty harsh, especially since I'd rather a few lower wattage bulbs than a single higher wattage bulb since the lamps I use can have issues with higher wattage bulbs (I found that a 60w in a 75w fixture lasts me all of 200 hours, while in a 150w fixture a 60w will last me 900~1000 hours).

But I'm about to switch everything over to a rack system, using flexwatt instead of bulbs.

Also I don't think the natural light matters or not since I'm pretty sure Balls don't need specific ranges of light, however near a window should give you a day/night cycle, so you definitely won't need light emitting bulbs for it.

[starmom]

I don't know the answers to your light/che questions, but I will suggest that having the tank next to large windows can create quite drafty (and cold) conditions for your snake. Just something to watch for...

[ride_gnu]

The windows dont open, and I have the cage insulated on all possible sides (except for those next to the window for light) And I always watch my temps. But thanks for the tip!

[ohyeahnow]

Windows can be bad. Make sure temps are ok in the winter. If sun comes in make sure temps are ok allways. Even in winter the sun can warm a tank to much.

[ride_gnu]

In BC, we dont get alot of winter sun.