Questions about Lighting

[Spot the corn]

I read somewhere that you can use fluorescent black lights for nightime viewing. Do you guys think this is safe or will it bother Spot?
Also, I ordered a thermostat for my heating pad and I was wondering if i could use the rheostat that I made, for the light?

 

[MegF.]

I've used a black light party bulb to view before. I don't think they can see it, though I haven't heard for certain. I don't see why you couldn't use the rheostat for the light. It's no different than a dimmer switch.

 

[Spot the corn]

I've used a black light party bulb to view before. I don't think they can see it, though I haven't heard for certain. I don't see why you couldn't use the rheostat for the light. It's no different than a dimmer switch.

I was thinking of using the fluorescent bulb rather than the party bulb because it produces no heat, but I was wondering more about the light hurting his eyes and you answered that question so thanks. :dancer:

 

[Plums]

Corns dont need any special light, but for veiwing pursposes I use

http://www.livefoods.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=158

I was told to keep this on a timer, that is on for 12 hous, I normally have it on 7am - 7pm - & that it will determine night & day for the snakes !?!

 

[PssdffJay]

If you are worried about day/night mode for the snakes, if they are in natural light by a window it will be the same, remember they can do it on their own in the wild. I never worry about it but my tank is next to a huge window.

 

[jazzgeek]

I read somewhere that you can use fluorescent black lights for nightime viewing. Do you guys think this is safe or will it bother Spot?
Also, I ordered a thermostat for my heating pad and I was wondering if i could use the rheostat that I made, for the light?

I've used a black light party bulb to view before. I don't think they can see it, though I haven't heard for certain. I don't see why you couldn't use the rheostat for the light. It's no different than a dimmer switch.

My understanding is that flourescent lights require a fixed level of power/current to operate properly, and that a rheostat is effective only with incandescent lighting. I may be wrong, though.

regards,
jazz

 

[DannyB]

My understanding is that flourescent lights require a fixed level of power/current to operate properly, and that a rheostat is effective only with incandescent lighting. I may be wrong, though.

regards,
jazz

you're quite right jazz - a flourescent light cannot and must not be used with any form of rheostat. however, you can get starter units for the flourescent bulb that allow you to connect a mains plug transformer and you can alter the input voltage on that...

 

[MegF.]

Hadn't even paid attention to the fluorescent portion....just the light. Duh! Anyway, I use a full spectrum aquarium light on my Green tree python's enclosure with a timer to turn it on at 7 am and off at 7 pm.

 

[nebby3103]

I just use a 25 watt incandescent red light bulb in a regular old desk lamp. It gets the job done and doesn't seem to bother my snake at all. As a nice little bonus, the red light looks pretty cool at night

 

[scad2k]

do you need a cover around a fluorescent light as i have seen lots in vivs with out one

 

[DannyB]

Flourescent lights don't get hot to touch so probably not as far as protecting your snake from burns burn they are quite fragile so I'd use one as snakes - particularly when bigger - may break the bulb whe trying to climb on it

 

[MegF.]

The light should not be in the viv and if it is, should be covered with a protective mesh so the animal cannot get on it.

 

[scad2k]

thats what i thought and i have seen peoples viv's for corn snakes with tube lights that strech the whole viv.just seams to risky to have exsposed tubes that have mecury in them

 

[CaptBogart]

I use flourescent fixtures with full spectrum and grow bulb tubes on the outside of the tanks and hanging from one of the shelves. They make clear plastic tubes that slide over the bulb for commercial use to prevent glass from a shattered tube from falling on people. Look for them at big hardware stores if your worried about broken bulbs...

 

[JungleGuts]

well ive been keeping a space heater in my room to keep my temps in the mid 70's. I also got a red 75 watt bulb but was a little much since im looking for something to keep on for long periods of time. SO today i bought a 25w Night Glo, turned off the space heater..and currently testing what temps it will bring me.