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Lighting preference-best heat emitter

D

dfree

New member
Hello again. First off, thanks for all the help so far. We are another step closer to getting our snake. Went to a local Herp society meeting last night and learned a lot. Anyway, I plan on using a UTH, but in the winter our house is so cold (I'm cheap!) that I think I will need another heat source, plus I have heard about the snakes needing 12 hours of daylight a day. I see halogen, infrared, and incandescent bulbs. Which is best to use? Which give off the best heat? And how do I know if I need a 50,75 or 100 watt bulb? If the UTH only warms stuff up 10 degrees or so, that will only bring my cage up to about 72 in the winter, which I know is not warm enough. Do you use a white bulb during the day and then switch to a red one at night? Does anyone adhere to the 12 hour a day light rule? Help!!
Thanks!
 
Right above the UTH will likely be hotter than 72, even in the winter. If it isn't you could always brumate him during the winter, which is something us corn-keepers in the south can't do. :D
 
What do you use to check temps? Check the temp under the substrate right over he UTH.
If the whole cage is 72 and you get at least low-mid 80s at the heater you're okay. If you get these temps without the lights don't use the lights.
Set it up and check it out for a while before you get your snake.
 
Hi,
First, you will need something the regulate your heat source. Whether its a rheostat or thermostat, or whatever... Also as Wax32 said, I am pretty sure your temps right above the UTH will be higher than you 72, especially if not regulated, thats why you need a control of some sort.

As Alan mentioned, you should check the temp right above the UTH. A digital temp gauge with a probe is usually the best way to do this. There are plenty of them out that are surprisingly not that expensive. You should keep track of the temps on both warm and cool side, so you will need two or just one that has two probes.

I have read on here numerous times over that corn snakes do not need light, whether day light or artifitial. Matter of fact, keeping them in sunlight is a bad idea (I know that is not what you were talking about doing, just thought it was good info to throw out there). If extra heat is needed above and beyond what your UTH can produce, my experience is that a red heat light will work fine. You can vary the amount of heat by moving it closer/farther from the tank or by experimenting with different bulb wattages.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted as to what works out for you. If you set it up and everything is within the right ranges, it will be ready for your new snakey!

Jimmy
 
I'm not an expert or anything but i just got October on Friday, i use a 60 watt zoo med blue daylight on the top of the tank with a dimmer dome to control the brightness and the heat since my UTH alone, will only raise the temp of floor to 72 degrees. With the light on I can easily get to 85 degrees ( with the thermometer at the bottom of the tank). My only concern is the brightness which is why I am going out to the store today to buy some more decorative leaves to make the bright area shady but warm.
 
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