UVA lights okay? + Leaf Litter Q, Bioactive enclosure

[LtHoneybun]

Hello! I just have two questions since I am putting together a bioactive enclosure for my Ball Python.

1. I got a UVA light bulb from a store. It's more for the plants than the snake. I put it on a timer. Most sources mention UVB lights. Is UVA alright?

2. How necessary is leaf litter? When ordering online what I couldn't get locally, I had forgotten leaf litter. The purpose of leaf litter is to be food for the isopods and to insulate the moisture more. Will I have significant problems without leaf litter? I have all of the other layers. Drainage, then mesh, then mixed soil, then moss. I can buy leaf litter, but it'll come later than everything else in transit. Can I at least go a few days without it, if needed?

3. As a part of lacking leaf litter, will the moisture of the soil and moss cause rot scale problems? Since my Ball Python would be in contact with the moistened soil more? My soil isn't sopping wet, it's just moist. When I squeeze it, water doesn't drip out.

[wnateg]

1. You dont need UVB.
2. You can add it later, it's not that important. You can also collect from outside and boil them.
3. If your substrate is too moist, it's going to raise your humidity a lot.

[Southpaw91]

If you want a good light for plants, go with fluorescent or led. Jungle dawn lights are good, but pricey. I have a bioactive terrarium establishing for a future crested gecko, with two 13w Green Gro LEDs from Josh's frogs and my plants love them. I believe they are $28 each on Josh's frogs website.

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