Lighting

[justice9311]

Hi all, new to this site and enjoying all of the information.

I have a question about lighting for my ball pythons. We are currently using 100watt bulbs, and turn them off night. We have been using the under tank heating pads to supplement. That's what the previous owners did.

However, my bulbs are burning out faster than I can put them in, I don't know how to fix that. Also, a friend told me that I should get a different kind of bulb, maybe an infrared bulb.

For you experienced owners, what is your lighting schedule, and what bulbs have you found to be the best?

Thanks,

Catherine

[Albert Clark]

Hi all, new to this site and enjoying all of the information.

I have a question about lighting for my ball pythons. We are currently using 100watt bulbs, and turn them off night. We have been using the under tank heating pads to supplement. That's what the previous owners did.

However, my bulbs are burning out faster than I can put them in, I don't know how to fix that. Also, a friend told me that I should get a different kind of bulb, maybe an infrared bulb.

For you experienced owners, what is your lighting schedule, and what bulbs have you found to be the best?

Thanks,

Catherine

Hello, firstly bp's are nocturnal and really don't require much light at all. Make sure that your uth is regulated by a thermostat (very important). The 100 watt bulb is a very hot bulb. What type of enclosure are you trying to heat and work with? Can you send over some pics of your set up? Bp's just need to know when it is daylight so make sure there is a way for them to discern that. Too much light is going to alter their natural behavior. Consider a daytime blue light and not a commercial household bulb. Also a nite time infrared bulb is better and wont stress the bp. How many heat pads are you using? There needs to be a warm side and a alternative cool side so the bp can thermoregulate and escape the heat when he's ready. There also should be a hot spot usually in between both sides made with a basking or hot spot bulb that is not inside the enclosure.

[justice9311]

The pythons are in separate 20 gallon tanks with 1/4 inch substrate. The warming pad and the light are on the same side of the cage, so the other side is cooler.

So I need a daytime bulb and a nighttime bulb?

[justice9311]

Stupid question. How do you insert a photo?

[kitedemon]

Hello Catherine and welcome. It sounds like the bulb is provinding light (duh) but also heat. I would not change a heating appliance until I understood what was the implications and what exactly it was doing. Lamps are often used to regulate air temps and they are quite important to the well being of the snake.

I would leave everything be until the effect it is having is evaluated.

The questions are easy, what are your temps? Hot side surface cool side surface, as well as the air temp in the tank both night and day as well as what is the typical room temperature.

There are other types of bulbs that add light some will add heat and light and some just heat. Before you replace a bulb you need to know what you need light, heat or both.

IR bulbs (heat lamps) add heat in a specific way, a heat emitter in a different way, regular bulbs are also different.

Photos can be added with a picture sharing site that have code for a forum. Just copy and past the forum code into the text body.

[justice9311]

Now I'm really confused.

With the 100 watt bulb, the heated side of the tank registered in at 85 degrees. That's with the under the tank heating pad. The cool side is high 70's.

Does this help?

[justice9311]

I also want to add ... the heating pad under the tank is a small one, and it doesn't have temp control capability. I assume I need to invest in a better warming pad?

[SKO]

Definitely get a thermostat for the heat pad. Hot spot should be 90-92 and measured with a temp gun. Cool side and ambient temps shouldn't really be below 80. For the lamp just get a dimmer switch from Lowes or home Depot

[Albert Clark]

Stupid question. How do you insert a photo?

Not a stupid question at all but there are several ways. One way is to upload the photo to your Gallery, copy it and then depending on where you want it , click on the image icon in the upper left hand side of the thread, then paste it into the box ,click ok and the pic should appear. Some other ways are to use Imgur, Tapatalk, but I am not familiar with those ways. Hopefully we will get someone to chime in and help.

[SKO]

For Tapatalk just click the camera icon. Easy squeezy lol Tapatalk is the phone app BTW just in case you do that have it already