Ball Python Lighting Questions

[Alicia Kesler]

I am going to be upgrading one of my bps habitats soon to a 4ftx2ftx2ft pvc enclosure from Custom Reptile Habitats and I want to know what to use for lighting. I have an idea of what I am going to be buying but just need some clarification because apparently any places that sell stuff online just have zero description lol. If I wanted to buy a halogen bulb to use for the warm side (I was thinking of getting a 75 but the one I wanted is also available in a 90 so would either of those be enough? https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/env...ulb-45067.html) so what domes would be safe to use for that type of bulb? For the cool side/ night side I wanted to use a CHE so I can just use a lower wattage one at night time to keep the ambient heat up without having any light. I bought a 60 watt CHE previously to use but I didn't have the correct dome so I haven't used it just yet (currently have both mine on UTH until I get completely switched over to lighting systems) so would that be enough just to keep about 80-82 degrees F at nighttime for the enclosure size I am going to buy? And any good recommendations for domes to use for the CHE bulb? Thanks and sorry for the long post.

[GoingPostal]

Have you considered a radiant heat panel instead or do these cages only come with tops for heat lamps? They are a lot safer and more controllable than having heat bulbs and lamps all over the place and they don't kill your humidity levels either.

[Spicey]

I use a regular floodlamp dome for the CHE on my habitat. Keeps the emitter far enough away from the top to keep it from becoming a burn danger, and it was cheap. I can also handle it with no problems.

[Alicia Kesler]

I havent even heard too much about them before honestly, I just looked them up and have never seen one. If you wouldnt mind could you give some details about how to use them? Also here is the cage I am saving to buy, I am not sure if this allows a radiant heat panel or not. https://customreptilehabitats.com/co...tile-enclosure

[Alicia Kesler]

I dont know how to edit replies lol but this is another one I am considering more towards buying Animal Plastics Cage

[GoingPostal]

Radiant heat panels fit right inside the cage, screw in on the top and emit heat downwards, they work super well at heating without taking out so much humidity as a heat lamp would. Plus they take up less space, you can stack cages and you don't have to worry about bulbs needing replacing or being a fire risk or knocked off/moved at all. I run mine controlled by herpstat thermostats. The nice thing about a pvc cage is their ability to hold heat and humidity better than glass so using one with a CHE or heat lamp and open topped for a high humidity needing snake seems counterproductive. AP cages are great from what I hear and you can have a RHP put in.