Hi everyone,

I'm a new forum member and ball python owner . As stated above my question is about the lighting for my ball python. My set up at the moment is a 20 gallon fish tank vivarium. My grandad gave it to me so it wasn't what i originally wanted (did want wooden tank with sliding glass) but thought i would give it a go. When i got the tank it had a phillips 40watt blue bulb in it, the bulb was giving me almost ideal temperature and 70 to 80% humidity was maintained. The problem was that the bulb must remain on 24/7 to maintain the right temps and i was worried that this would be a problem being on 24/7 effecting the snakes light cycle althoug some say red/blue/green is ok as 24/7 lighting..


I have done a lot of research on ball pythons and read many care sheets plus articles and even got advice from three differen't pet/ reptile shops on lighting. I keep going round in circles on what advice to follow and what not. One place told me the bp needs uv light throughout the day and a heat mat at night but i know from what i've read snakes don't need uv lighting but just a light cycle, so i'm assuming this is wrong advice.

After doing some more research and not really getting anywhere i bought a red bulb 60watt which is plugged into a dimmer thermostat. Now i am happy to run a red bulb 24/7 but i wondered what peoples advice would be on this? Again i have read that its fine to run a red bulb 24/7 and others say its not Also what seems strange is the 60watt red bulb doesn't put out as much heat as the 40watt blue?

I'm looking to have one bulb i can run 24/7 to keep the temps right. I have thought about a ceramic heater but then i would need an additional light because i would like to see into the tank. Also i don't really want a heat matt and again some people are against heat mats (due to burns etc) and some are all for them I know this sort of topic has been covered numerous times but, i can't seem to find the correct answer if there is one. Hope you can help and looking forward to some advice thanks for reading.

Thanks
Oli