Seeing your snakes at night with tube lights

[Mikoh4792]

I'll be moving my snakes to plastic enclosures with fluorescent fixtures. Which type of tubes will disturb the snakes the least at night? I know red and black lights are popular choices but was wondering if all red and black fluorescent tubes would suffice( as in are there any that aren't good for the snake?(high light output, bad uv radiation...etc)

Would this type of black light work?

Amazon.com: Bulbrite F8T5BLB 8-Watt Fluorescent T5 Black Light Blue: Home Improvement

[formica]

you can get GU10 LED bulbs which output UVA, will do the same thing, and will last longer - if you just want it for fluorescence, cheaper to run and less heat to, also as they are directional you can give your snake the oppertunity to avoid the UV should it want to - which is a good idea for diurnal snakes imo

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by formica

you can get GU10 LED bulbs which output UVA, will do the same thing, and will last longer - if you just want it for fluorescence, cheaper to run and less heat to, also as they are directional you can give your snake the oppertunity to avoid the UV should it want to - which is a good idea for diurnal snakes imo

The thing is, I have already bought the enclosures with the light fixtures for fluorescent tubing, and I don't feel like drilling more holes for additional lighting options.
I'll have radiant heat panels on one end of each enclosure and the fluorescent fixtures will be fixed to either the back or front top.

Also the GU10 LED bulbs wouldn't work for night lighting.

[lady_bug87]

Is there a reason you want to see them at night? Personally if I need to I just turn the light on in the room...

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Is there a reason you want to see them at night? Personally if I need to I just turn the light on in the room...

Just to know what's going on inside without having to switch the actual light on. I know a few seconds of light to see my snakes at night won't hurt them but I'd still like to disturb them as least as possible. Also I feed at night a few hours after the room lights go off so I like to watch them eat.

EDIT: not to mention, black or red lights can look pretty cool at night. For example the "glow in the dark thread" by smy.

[lady_bug87]

There was thread on here at one time about these night lights and the discussion was that they disturbed the animal more than pet stores would have us believe.

I personally have no need to see my snakes at night unless they're eating and that's only to feed them and later to check if the meal is gone so its not an issue for me.

I'm going to try and find the thread and then I will post the link

[formica]

UV light shouldnt be used at night imo, it affects an animals physiology - doing it occasional ly isnt going to be a massive problem, for eg at new moon, some UV is reflected to earth, but in tiny amounts, so they can deal with it, but it shouldnt be done every night imo, or if it is done, then the animal should at least have the chance to move out of its reach by providing a gradient

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by formica

UV light shouldnt be used at night imo, it affects an animals physiology - doing it occasional ly isnt going to be a massive problem, for eg at new moon, some UV is reflected to earth, but in tiny amounts, so they can deal with it, but it shouldnt be done every night imo, or if it is done, then the animal should at least have the chance to move out of its reach by providing a gradient

I see. I didn't know that black or red fluorescent tubes produced UV.

In that case do all fluorescent tubes, no matter the color light they produce, produce UV radiation?

[lady_bug87]

Found it! I know it says for heat but the article was decent if I remember correctly

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ight-heat.html

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by formica

black lights are UV lights, they usually have a filter which stops visible light and only emit UV. Red fluorescent tubes shouldnt produce UV, but its always worth checking the manufacturer specs, red light isnt such an issue, but personally I'd use it only for a few hours at a time in the evenings, this simulates sunset nicely

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Found it! I know it says for heat but the article was decent if I remember correctly

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ight-heat.html

That was a good article. Thank you.

In that case I will just use the fixtures for fluorescent lighting and turn them off at night.

[formica]

black lights are UV lights, they usually have a filter which stops visible light and only emit UV. Red fluorescent tubes shouldnt produce UV, but its always worth checking the manufacturer specs, red light isnt such an issue, but personally I'd use it only for a few hours at a time in the evenings, this simulates sunset nicely

[lady_bug87]

No problem.