New Setup, Need Lighting / Heat Input / Info
Hi All,
So let me start by saying that I have a 1 year old ball python, who this is all about. I figure it would come in handy to know the species. I recently moved her from a 30gal tank to a 90 gal tank (48x18x24). Before, I had the hot side at about 90-92 and the cold side about 75-78. All was well. Naturally, as we went to a bigger tank the hot side is about 83-85 and the cold side is 75. I figure that the length of the tank and depth is not allowing the tank to heat up as efficiently. I put a blanket overtop of the mesh screen to trap some of the hot air in (left air space on left and right side for ventilation).
In my current setup, I have 2 lights (red bulbs for night 75watt) on the hot side and no lights anywhere else. I also have an undertank pad heater and am using the zilla carpet as bedding. It is warm to the touch under it.
I wanted some lighting to see her better, my question is, can I use regular aquarium lights that i can find for cheap on amazon or do i have to use reptile specific lighting strips (when i say light i mean the actual light ballast, not the strip bulbs). Also, should i be using conventional strip bulbs to add heat or maybe an led or "moon light" for esthetics?
Please help, any info would be useful. I'm thinking to go with the strip bulb to add a little heat and light at the same time and keep the 2 heat domes on the hot side along with a 30" strip light which will be somewhere in the middle.
any thoughts? suggestions? questions?
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