?'s about Red Lights

[philthy]

Ok, I got a 60wt Red blub and ceramic lamp to help boost temps on the warm side if you can call it that since the tank is only 20gal. The temps fluctuate between 85*F (low side) to 95*F (high side). I went for this type of light since I had read that balls are nocturnal and the bulb packaging mentioned that. When I turn the light off durring the day about 9am and turn it on when I get home, about 7pm. The temps are down to about 80*F or so. I know this seems too low, so can I leave the light on 24/7? They do have an under tank heat pad that stays on. Most likely I will be getting a bigger tank this weekend, aroud 40gal with a nice base so my girl wont bi*** about them being in the living room and not matching the décor.

[Smulkin]

If it is a good red bulb (ie not cheap red coated party bulbs) you are fine leaving it on and yep they are nocturnal.

As you are going with glass I assume you have a screen lid - are you covering that with anything to preserve heat and humidity? I know ehen i was using heat lamp with glass tank I had to cover the lid with contac paper or all the humidity got burnt right out and the heat vented out too well also.

[philthy]

I does look like colored party bulb in a way, but I did get it at a pet store (if that really means anything) and the packing said for all nocturnal reptiles and as an added heat source. Yes the top is screen and I do keep it covered about 3/4 with a heavy book for now. The humidity seems to fluctuate a lot and often from the 30's to 50's %.

[Smulkin]

Sounds like you are ok with the bulb.

30%s a bit on the arid side - you might want to look into the clear shelflining (ConTac) paper or some other alternative to get that screen covered a bit more. Leave 3 corners open (2" triangles at least) so you dont run into air stagnation problems and mind how you have the light set (laying right on the screen etc I am not sure how you are doing it). Covering it like that may also go a ways towards keeping the temps a bit more stable.

[philthy]

Right now the light and housing is sitting right on the screen. I moved the water bowl right under the light to try and raise the humidity.

[rex322]

try covering the tank with a damp towel. works on my boas and burm cages

[Smulkin]

Damp towels however are like petri dishes.

Optimum conditions for mold/mildew spores to get churning.

Smynx has a 30G with the contac paper and a circle cut out one one end for the lamp - it served her very well for a high humidity fuscus (until he outgrew the tank hehe - now Im gonna steal it for the ratropolis).