Heating questions

Blueiggy · 09-23-18, 03:31 PM

Hey guys, just got myself a baby corn snake. Havent had one since my old boy died 10 years ago. Also, was still a dingbat teenager and had no clue about heating. Everything was set up from my breeder of a cousin. This being said, my little one here is currently in a 10 gallon. The temp is hovering around 71 which I know anything below is really just not good for them. For this size tank, what do you guys suggest heating lamp wattage wise and also, in my room it's dark due to insulated curtains (it gets about 67 degrees in here come winter at best) so would you guys advise some sort of day light as well? Mind you, I'm trying to get a hood lamp, the ones that rest on the metal hood that is, not the bowl shaped ones. Thanks a bunch!

Scubadiver59 · 09-26-18, 02:22 PM

Several things to look into:

Under Tank Heater (Pad).
Ceramic Heating Element.

You could go with the CHE and then an LED lamp unless you want to get an incandescent lamp for extra basking heat.

The only issue is with the size of a 10gal tank...it's so small you never really get a heat gradient in a tank that small so you have to be careful.

You want to get the one side up to 85+ during the day and you can let it go down to 70s at night but again controlling that heat in a small tank is going to be an issue.

Personally I just use a UTH and a ambient light in small tanks. Once I get them in 20gal tanks I use a UTH + 40w incandescent lamp at one end.

BTW, what kind of thermostat are you using?