Animal Plastics (T8) heating and lighting questions

cwburns32 · 05-21-17, 04:47 PM

Hello all - posted about this before but wanted to get some additional opinions.

1. I am currently using a RHP to maintain ambients in my enclosure and a Ultratherm UTH to for basking/under belly heat. The RHP is set to 75.5 and the prove is on the cool side. The UTH is set to 95 which gives me a 87.5 floor (UR temp gun) temp on warm side of enclosure. I've read Tarahumaras only need a 85-90 basking spot - I am assuming this UTH will suffice? It doesn't feel all that hot to the touch but temp gun says its 87.5-88 all day long.

2. I have 12 LEDs inside of the enclosure, RGB+W, I am getting them on a timer today to set a day/night cycle. I am curious which colors okay to use/which aren't. The colors are dimmable but the white does not seem to be dimmable for some and I feel it is too bright for him (although he does stay in his hide all day)? The white is a daylight white (6500K) which about how bright it would be in the elements I would imagine? I'm afraid if I use a color that he may not be able to see the day/night cycle would be pointless? (pics below)

3. Is it okay to use a light at night and if so which color? The colors i.e red/blue can get very dim for a great viewing experience that shouldn't bother snake all that much (pics below)

A few photos of my Tara, my enclosure with white lights on, cyan lights, blue lights, for examples. The last photo is some paper towels from when I disinfected his water dish and I noticed this pinkish hue. My only guess is he hopped in to wash off a bit of blood that I missed when he last ate

Salazar and his T8 - Album on Imgur

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Salazar and his T8 - Album on Imgur

Scubadiver59 · 05-21-17, 04:56 PM

I think the consensus is going to be...no light at night.

I know there is moonlight in the wild, but how to simulate that with such a low wattage applied to a bulb, to simulate moonlight, w/o disturbing the snake, is something maybe someone else does and they can chime in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwburns32

Hello all - posted about this before but wanted to get some additional opinions.

1. I am currently using a RHP to maintain ambients in my enclosure and a Ultratherm UTH to for basking/under belly heat. The RHP is set to 75.5 and the prove is on the cool side. The UTH is set to 95 which gives me a 87.5 floor (UR temp gun) temp on warm side of enclosure. I've read Tarahumaras only need a 85-90 basking spot - I am assuming this UTH will suffice? It doesn't feel all that hot to the touch but temp gun says its 87.5-88 all day long.

2. I have 12 LEDs inside of the enclosure, RGB+W, I am getting them on a timer today to set a day/night cycle. I am curious which colors okay to use/which aren't. The colors are dimmable but the white does not seem to be dimmable for some and I feel it is too bright for him (although he does stay in his hide all day)? The white is a daylight white (6500K) which about how bright it would be in the elements I would imagine? I'm afraid if I use a color that he may not be able to see the day/night cycle would be pointless? (pics below)

3. Is it okay to use a light at night and if so which color? The colors i.e red/blue can get very dim for a great viewing experience that shouldn't bother snake all that much (pics below)
A few photos of my Tara, my enclosure with white lights on, cyan lights, blue lights, for examples. The last photo is some paper towels from when I disinfected his water dish and I noticed this pinkish hue. My only guess is he hopped in to wash off a bit of blood that I missed when he last ate

Salazar and his T8 - Album on Imgur

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Salazar and his T8 - Album on Imgur

dannybgoode · 05-22-17, 03:43 AM

Agree no light at night. 6500k is perfect for daytime - especially if you're going to try some live plants I there.

Definitely rhp over tape or uth.

I'd also provide a source of uvb however this is a hotly debated issue so your choice.

trailblazer295 · 05-22-17, 07:24 AM

I'd leave the light off at night unless you wanted to use dim red or blue for viewing for a short period. But if you're not watching then I'd say no light.

cwburns32 · 05-22-17, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

I think the consensus is going to be...no light at night.

I know there is moonlight in the wild, but how to simulate that with such a low wattage applied to a bulb, to simulate moonlight, w/o disturbing the snake, is something maybe someone else does and they can chime in.

I'm okay with no light at night as it seems you and a few others have already pointed out. I suppose if I want to view him at night I can turn on the dim blue or red to help with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Agree no light at night. 6500k is perfect for daytime - especially if you're going to try some live plants I there.

Definitely rhp over tape or uth.

I'd also provide a source of uvb however this is a hotly debated issue so your choice.

I got the 6500K whites on purpose because I knew it would mimic natural sunlight the best; however, I still feel it is too bright for the snake. Again, he does spend the entire day in one of his hides so I don't know if it matters. Did you look at the images of the white LEDs turned on? They aren't dimmable while the colors are. Currently I have yellow turned on but it just doesn't seem as natural. Pic with yellow turned on attached; however it was early this morning when it was still dark when I took it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

I'd leave the light off at night unless you wanted to use dim red or blue for viewing for a short period. But if you're not watching then I'd say no light.

Yeah it seems all 3 of the posts I've gotten have agreed on no night light. Like you said I can always use a dim red or blue to view him at night.

What light cycle do you recommend? Currently I have 14 on 10 off as we approach the longer days of summer and I imagine I shorten up how long they are on as fall and winter approach?

trailblazer295 · 05-22-17, 07:41 AM

A night light is purely for our use. The snakes don't benefit from it so no reason to leave it on. I often use a lamp in the room with a frosted shield for night viewing. Seems the soft white doesn't impact my snakes behaviour.

dannybgoode · 05-22-17, 10:52 AM

My boa hid a lot but since fitting her uvb bulb she's out all the time in the day.

That said I like to provide the option of light in the daytime regardless of whether they seem to use it as its a more realistic replication of their natural environment. I also plant my vivs so light is a prerequisite anyway.

Azrt · 05-22-17, 01:46 PM

I have a light that runs on a time 12 hr on/off timer. No need to have anything oven all the time

cwburns32 · 05-22-17, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

A night light is purely for our use. The snakes don't benefit from it so no reason to leave it on. I often use a lamp in the room with a frosted shield for night viewing. Seems the soft white doesn't impact my snakes behaviour.

I have a small soft white lamp in my room that I can put a frost shield/shade on. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

My boa hid a lot but since fitting her uvb bulb she's out all the time in the day.

That said I like to provide the option of light in the daytime regardless of whether they seem to use it as its a more realistic replication of their natural environment. I also plant my vivs so light is a prerequisite anyway.

What type of uvb did you fix inside your enclosure? And how did you mount it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azrt

I have a light that runs on a time 12 hr on/off timer. No need to have anything oven all the time

I am on 14/10 schedule now, will move it back to 12/12 as the we get later in year.

Azrt · 05-22-17, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwburns32

I have a small soft white lamp in my room that I can put a frost shield/shade on. Thanks

What type of uvb did you fix inside your enclosure? And how did you mount it?

I am on 14/10 schedule now, will move it back to 12/12 as the we get later in year.

Is this for winter or breeding reasons?

Azrt · 05-22-17, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwburns32

I have a small soft white lamp in my room that I can put a frost shield/shade on. Thanks

What type of uvb did you fix inside your enclosure? And how did you mount it?

I am on 14/10 schedule now, will move it back to 12/12 as the we get later in year.

Do you do 14/10 for winter or breeding reasons?

cwburns32 · 05-24-17, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azrt

Is this for winter or breeding reasons?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azrt

Do you do 14/10 for winter or breeding reasons?

14/10 for summer, winter 12/12. This is what I have typically done with all of my reptiles. Don't know if it's something I should be doing with my Tarahumara right now but it's what I have it set at for now.