heat lamps

[dshin963]

Hey sooo I just recently bought a Python and the breeder I bought him off of strictly warned me never to use a heat lamp... however the temps in my tank arent high enough... so i bought a 50 watt blue heat lamp... i was just wondering is it at all dangerous to the snake if i place the lamp on top of the cage? Ive placed my hand under it on the cage and it doesnt seem to hot... definitely not hot enough to burn me, the actual bulb itself is a different story

[Damion930]

What kinda python u got id say as long as ur snake can't come in direct contact with the bulb u should be ok and id watch your humidity with the addition of the light

[infernalis]

Most anyone here will recommend an under tank heater for this.

However, as long as the bulb is where the snake cannot touch it, you should be fine.

Unless the lamp is a reflector lamp that directs the radiant energy downward, it's a huge waste anyways, since the laws of physics mandate that heat rises, so putting a heater up at the ceiling of the cage is very ineffective for heating the inside of the cage.

Same logic as why your home heating in down on the floor and not up on the ceiling. ;)

[presspirate]

Same logic as why your home heating in down on the floor and not up on the ceiling. ;)
Except in Basements. I never could fathom That logic.

[dshin963]

What kinda python u got id say as long as ur snake can't come in direct contact with the bulb u should be ok and id watch your humidity with the addition of the light

he is a Spider Ball

Most anyone here will recommend an under tank heater for this.

However, as long as the bulb is where the snake cannot touch it, you should be fine.

Unless the lamp is a reflector lamp that directs the radiant energy downward, it's a huge waste anyways, since the laws of physics mandate that heat rises, so putting a heater up at the ceiling of the cage is very ineffective for heating the inside of the cage.

Same logic as why your home heating in down on the floor and not up on the ceiling. ;)

i actually have an under heat pad and this whole thing is irritating me lol

i think im over stressing about his cage...

[Lankyrob]

I dont use tanks i use vivs but i have ceramic heat lamps (no light just heat) in every one of them for my snakes. They are all guarded so that there is no way the snake can come into contact with the bulb.

[dshin963]

ahhh also... i messed up... last night the temp in the tank got to 100 on the hot side... and like mid 80s on the cool side... im really hoping he is ok.... i feel terrible...

[marvelfreak]

Except in Basements. I never could fathom That logic.
Yeah i know. That why i am putting a oil heater in my snake room.(in my basement) Using one in my bedroom now and it keep the whole room nice and toasted. Plus your heat pads don't have to work as hard and it help keep the electric bill down. It also keeps the room at a steady temp instead of up and down. Like when your furnace kicks on and off.

[infernalis]

Except in Basements. I never could fathom That logic.

I helped install radiant heat in a basement, The heat pipes were laid down and the cement slab was poured over the heat pipes.

Love it, you can go down there bare foot and be comfortable.

However, I know what you mean, for simplicity if a house has forced air heat, all you have to do is install vents in the existing duct work pointing down. That does make for a cold floor though.

[whoaxmary]

Personally, my room is in a basement, and in winter I have a hard time keeping my room above 60-65 degrees. I use both heat matts, as well as an over head ceramic lamp at night. (Gives off only heat, no light). As mentioned above though, make sure you're snake CAN NOT make contact with the bulb/lamp. And as infernals said, you will need a the proper lamp so that the heat is reflecting down, not rising up. And..I think someone mentioned this to, but make sure to watch your humidity. The lamps dry things out very fast - if you don't already - make sure you have a spray bottle with clean water and spray it down as needed to raise humidity.

[Jendee]

its best to get a space heater and heat the whole room up. My snake room stays at 80 degrees. If the flex watt or whatever under tank heat your using isn't warming it up then use a heat emitter instead of a lamp. but if your under tank heater is on and its still not right then the air temps in the room itself is obvious too cold :) good luck!!

[dshin963]

Ok sooo I just got everything perfectly set up :) the hot side hovers at around 89-90 the cool side is around 78-80 humidity stays around 65-70 as long as i spray every day i got a fairly large water dish in there im hoping these conditions are adequate

[mld]

That's great! :) glad to hear!

[dshin963]

Yeah!! I'm really happy :) I even tried picking him up today ( I know you are not suppose to for a week but I just couldn't wait :( ) and he actually came out of his ball and started exploring :). It was only for a short time and I wont be handling him until at least Tuesday and Friday is feeding day :)

[mld]

Enjoy! sounds like a real sweet guy!

[dshin963]

ohhh hes just awesome :) will have some pics up next week

[Lankyrob]

Not sure if the constant humidity is the best thing. I tend to overspray and then let it "dry out" to an acceptable minimum. For my BP i spray to about 75% and then let it dry to 50% before respraying. Constant higher humidity imo just encourages mould.

[dshin963]

Over night the humidty usually drops to around 30-40 then i spray it to about 75-80 then pray again before bed

[infernalis]

Too much wet and scale rot becomes a real possability as well.

[dshin963]

What are some signs of scale rot/other major symptoms to look for?

[infernalis]

Scale rot is a visual thing, and very noticeable.

If the large belly scales start to discolour, the humidity is way too high.

Usually, you would have to be negligent and have sopping wet substrate all the time for this to set in.

[dshin963]

Oh ok well i have a towel ontop of the cage and i spray this to raise humidty and try to avoid spraying in the cage