Moonlight heating lamps?

Zexion~ · 09-17-17, 10:18 PM

Ok so I bought this new kind of bulb to help with night heating as I found out heating mats were not working well with my set-up

https://www.chewy.com/exo-terra-nigh...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was wondering if people have used this for a snake (mines a corn) and if its alright to use? Heating pads were not working for me as they were getting way too hot and burning the plastic/wooden tables I have in my apartment. As for thermostats for such things I have heard about them since I got my snake but have not seen one (bought the wrong things) nor do I really know how to work one if I got one.

I've used for a few days (not all night) and it increases the temp to around 79-80 and my room temps usually get around 68-70. The light is minimal however I wonder if it disturbs the snake in any way. Any input would be appreciated.

**Tsubaki** · 09-18-17, 03:10 AM

I would really advise to just get a thermostat, with any kind of heating source! You could always order one online if you can not find them selling anywhere near you. (I have the same issue). I do not know these lights, but anything besides infrared could disturb their day/night cycle in theory.

TRD · 09-18-17, 04:11 AM

Snakes can see that light just fine, really wouldn't use any heat lights at night... A corn can easily take a night time drop to the high 60s / low 70s. Room temp of 68-70 is fine for a corn at night.

jjhill001 · 09-18-17, 01:54 PM

Really low wattage Ceramic Heat Emitters are awesome if you can find them. I've used the night lights with my leopard gecko for a couple years during the winter and haven't noticed any adverse affects. She sleeps out in the open all day anyways like an idiot proving to me that some reptiles refuse to act like they are supposed to. She happily sits under the light during the night time so take that for what its worth.

That said, as another user pointed out 68-70 at night isn't gonna hurt a corn snake, in fact I really can't think of a species that can't handle that low of a temp as long as their day time temps are good.

scales.jp · 09-18-17, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zexion~

As for thermostats for such things I have heard about them since I got my snake but have not seen one (bought the wrong things) nor do I really know how to work one if I got one.

I've just finished setting up my vivarium and have a moonlight bulb as my primary heat source with a under tank heat panel for extra warmth when it's needed. After a lot of messing about with different configurations I now have both sources on thermostats, and everything is at last working wonderfully. You should be able to find one online and they're simple to use.

My bulb is not like the one in the link above, but very dark purple (almost black). It's designed for heating, not night time viewing, so somewhere between a heat lamp and a ceramic heater. It's Japanese, so maybe not available in other countries, but this one looks kind of similar:
http://www.chewy.com/zilla-night-bla...cent/dp/131061

Zexion~ · 09-18-17, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

I would really advise to just get a thermostat, with any kind of heating source! You could always order one online if you can not find them selling anywhere near you. (I have the same issue). I do not know these lights, but anything besides infrared could disturb their day/night cycle in theory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

Snakes can see that light just fine, really wouldn't use any heat lights at night... A corn can easily take a night time drop to the high 60s / low 70s. Room temp of 68-70 is fine for a corn at night.

Which thermostat would work? I don't want to buy a terrible one especially if im doing this online.

My corn still seems to sleep during the day and be a bit more active at night but ill try and find a stat.

scales.jp · 09-19-17, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zexion~

Which thermostat would work? I don't want to buy a terrible one especially if im doing this online.

Something like this. It's designed for mats and other low-powered heaters up to 100 watts. If you need more power the classic version can handle up to 300 watts.
https://www.amazon.com/CHT005-Habist.../dp/B002SQAP1S

TRD · 09-19-17, 02:38 AM

Most people for the US seem to like Herpstat a lot...

Just make sure you pick the right one... for lamps you need a dimmer type, for UTH you need a pulse type.

scales.jp · 09-19-17, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

Just make sure you pick the right one... for lamps you need a dimmer type, for UTH you need a pulse type.

Lamps and mats both work fine with a simple on/off thermostat, but it might shorten the life of the bulb. I wouldn't recommend this with a daylight bulb as it would be stressful for your pet, but for a dark bulb or mat it's fine. My stats have 3~4℃ of wiggle room, i.e. if I set the temperature to 30℃ it will switch off closer to 32℃ and won't switch back on again until it's almost down to 28℃.