Lighting for heat

[patt010303]

I was just wondering how many watts i should take my light up to if i need to raise the temperature in my cage 10 degrees. I currently have a 50 watt bulb. Any help would be great.


Thanks,
matt

[BoidKeeper]

Ditch the lights and go to UTH. It's the only way the pros raise their balls. Must be a good reason for it. Once the UTH is on a reostate(sp) then you can turn it up or down with out having to change bulbs in order to increase or decrease the temps.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lilyskip]

try a 75 watt...not sure if that will be enough, as I only use lights to supplement my uth.

[sapphire_moon]

I use both a light and UTH, and it keeps the temps at a perfect 92 for basking and about 75-80 cool side.

[Andy_G]

Lights dry out snakes. Ditch it and use a U.T.H. Ambient temp isn't too important, as long as it's over/at 75 and the snake has a nice hot spot of 92 degrees or so(belly heat), a light is simply not needed.

[patt010303]

What type of UTH should I buy and how much should I be looking to spend? Also, I have a 40 gallon breeder tank, what size should I get?

Thanks,
matt

[sapphire_moon]

If you have a 40 gal breeder tank then you should get a UTH for a 40-50 gal tank, it says it right on the box. And you could be looking to spend any where from 20-40 dollars on a UTH, depending on the brand you get. And my snakes always have a good shed, and they have lights as well as UTH's. But everyone is different.

[Linds]

I agree with Trevor, lights aren't the way to go with these guys. You can get a UTH which costs a decent amount. You can also get heat tape which is basically the same except that you have to wire it yourself (which is very simple) and costs a fraction of a UTH. <a href="http://www.beanfarm.com">The Bean Farm</a> is the best place to go for heat tape. Make sure whatever you choose, that it is controlled with a dimmer or thermostat so your snake does not get burned.

[Jo060]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about a light. They dont really need one just heat and a good hide. And make sure the temps. are right. What type of therm. do u have? If it is one of thoes circle ones that are run by spring/coil. I would give thoes up too. Go to your local lowes and in the garden section they have a thermometor(sp) and a humid in one and its digital. So far it has worked for me.

[Invictus]

Ah, crap... not this debate again.... oh well, here's my pennies.

I use lights in several enclosures, and have never had problems maintaining humidity, and have never had a snake "dry out". I think that is a myth propagated by people who have never actually used light bulbs as a heating method, but that's just my opinion. I know several "pros" who use light bulbs as well. They won't dry ANYTHING out ANY faster than a UTH will. The laws of evaporation and diffusion do not care if the heating method is above or below.