Questions about Lighting in Ball Python Enclosure

[shadowhaven]

Hello, I am ordering a custom made cage that comes with a spot fixture and a florescent fixture. I plan on not having the spot fixture put in and instead having a RHP in it's place for heat for the hot side of the cage. For the florescent fixture (It's placed along the middle and cool side), what kind of bulb should I get? Is there any in particular I should use? The dimensions of the cage are 32x14x18. I was looking at the Exoterra Repti Glo http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=19729. Would this be okay for a ball python enclosure? I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section.

[bcr229]

Since BP's don't need UV light I would not have the fluorescent fixture installed, and would put in LED strip lights instead, white for day/task lighting, and red or blue for nighttime. They might be a bit more expensive initially but would last for years.

[shadowhaven]

The florescent light would be for display purposes mainly. I was also looking at a regular florescent light from home depot. I'll check out the led lighting though. Another question (non related to lighting), should I use a flexwatt with the RHP for heat or would the RHP be enough to heat the enclosure?

[CORBIN911]

Just a normal bulb will be fine, They were nice in my old PVC enclosure increases ambient by 2-3 degree's but nothing special at all is need'd


And you should ONLY need 1 or the other, Flexx wat if your ambient temps are relatively high 76+(room temp) will give u rougly 81 ambient (mine was) roughly... if your room temp goes 70 or lower RHP will be needed, You SHOULDNT need both, but if you cannot get desired hotspot to 88+ (where rhp is) youll need to get flexx watt, but to start id just go with RHP (if room temps low) since flexxwatt is very cheap

Best of luck!

[CORBIN911]

For "display" purposely only though I wouldn't suggest a Light, (as stated they do offer heat increase) you could go to a local hardware shop and pick up a LED strip.. and the nice thing about them is you can change color for day time/night tiem viewing from White to Red to blue to hell green if you'd like! and they are much cheaper and last forever (ebay can get like 50ft with the ballast and remote to change color) for 12$