Lighting choice

[rockgecko]

Is it bad for my ball if i use a blacklight to light and heat the cage at night instead of a red bulb? the light is a 60 watt and keeps the cage at 77 degrees at night (mild winters in cali are good for a few things) which seems to be fine but i wonder if the uv from the blacklight is bad for housini. thus far i haven't been able to locate a red light locally i may have to order it if the black light is bad.

thanks for the input.

Michael

[Wizill]

i use a blacklight sometimes, no biggie... as long as it isn't your only heat source you shouldnt have a problem... what sort of cage do you use? and how is it set up?

[rockgecko]

It's only at night during the day i use a 100 watt incandescent- keeps the cage at 87 degrees.
i also use a undertank heater for on hide.
the tank is a 20 long glass since houdini is a 03 he isn't very big yet (21 inches) i got him on 6-1-03.
I use 2 strip thermometers in the tank and a hydrometer, i also spot check 2 times a week with a probe thermometer to make sure that the temp measurements are accurate.

[RPlank]

I used to use black lights with no problems. I don't know whether or not they can "see" the black light, but they don't act like they can. I have never heard of anything saying that UV is bad for them, but being nocturnal, they certainly don't NEED it.

[Wizill]

rock, go ahead and use the blacklight. your setup sounds exaclty how i used to have Peanut's, and he did great..

[rockgecko]

thanks wiz i appreciate the input.

[Wizill]

no prob...



see folks, i'm not that bad..

[rockgecko]

Wiz i read some of your other posts. I wouldn't go that far...lol
p.s. I checked out peanut looks great!

[steelsack]

I use an infrared bulb (100w) 24/7. Seems fine. Just make sure you always have a spare!

[rockgecko]

thanks steelsack, yeah i keep an extra - they are bound to go out when the temp drops outside..