HEAT PAD VS LIGHTS which is best or should I use both.

[tdavis]

I am new to raising corn snakes. I am wondering which is best an under tank reptile pad or the lights that sit on top. White basking for daytime & blue light for night to keep tank warm enough. how much of the bottom of the tank should be covered with heat pad, or should I use both lights & heat pad. I live in southern ontario if that makes any difference.

 

[Christaberk]

I use the UTH (under tank heat pad) and it covers NO MORE than 1/3 of the bottom of the viv. I did use lights, but found the constant temp control of the uts (when used with a thermostat, which is a MUST) is much easier to handle than the on/off of the lights daily.

My Snake Kit came with two lights, one for basking and one for nighttime viewing. I tossed them promplty and moved to the UTH with thermostat. Much better IMO. Corn are mostly active at dawn and dusk. They don't need the light during the day or at night, just a constant temp of 80-85 degrees on the warm side.

Plus, the lights can easily mess with humidity.

Just what I've learned so far.

 

[kc261]

I think UTH are better. I have found that heating lamps can be useful for defrosting and warming up f/t mice.

 

[Chip]

I'd bet among those of us with 50-100 or more snakes, we don't own a single light bulb for a snake enclosure. UTH has more upsides, less downsides, and far less fire risk.

 

[HVani]

I used my light along with my UTH when it was REALLY cold this winter. Otherwise I always run the UTH and my snake's temperatures are perfect.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

UTH hooked up to a rheostat or thermostat. Definitely the better choice.

 

[Nythain]

UTH hands down. Nothing against lights, but there's too many cons to consider compared to the UTH.