Night lighting

[Shrimply]

I have tried to fit night lighting in my snakes vivariums for quite a while. I used to use 15w red pygmy bulbs but they didn't produce the right type of light, gave off to much heat and lasted a very short time. I had looked at light kits on ebay but they were expensive and I had heard that they didn't produce very much light. So I went to B&Q and got a set of 50 red LEDs( Christmas lights) for £5. They work really well. They produce plenty of light, no heat and are easy to conceal around the edges of the vivarium.

Please tell me what you think but you will have to take my word for it that the pic doesn't do the justice they are much brighter in real life. Watching your snakes at night are really amazing and since 50 bulbs were more than enough for my 3 tanks it doesn't have to be expensive. As a bonus they also use up very little electricity.

[Shrimply]

Anyone?

[edf]

well, I think it looks neat, I don't know what you ar ereally asking, if its not just for our opinions. As long as it doesn't cause the snakes cage to really heat up ( wich you said it doesn't) and as long as the snakes are not bothered by the lights I think its good! And as long as you are indeed able to see the snakes... makingit worthwhile to put them in there.

I am assuming these are corn snake cages... Ican see my pytrhons at night because I do use a night light. You just got to make sure the snakes cannot see them since they are nocturnal and if its the type of light a snake can see, they may be stressed ( this i am sure you are aware of already too). My one snake has the red night light, and theother has a more purply color... so as long as its not messing with the snakes night cycle, all should be good. I am not too familiar with xmas lights and the kind of light they give off.

But from what I can see, it looks pretty nifty.

edf

[Shrimply]

Thanks, really I was just looking for peoples opinions. Two tanks are corns and one is my boa. The view they give off is brilliant. The lights are only on for A couple of hours in the evening which I like to think of a dusk period. I do not think it is a good idea to leave any lights on all night as I no that a lot of research now suggests Snakes can see red light and since there is other alternatives for heating I see very little point. However these lights were chosen specially for the colour of light they give off. If snakes can't see red light then I reckon this is the right type it is not the orangey red that most lights give off. These are deep red bulbs used in modern traffic lights and car breaks. The snakes come out and explore under the colour so they must be happy enough to except that it is dusk, also noticed thier pupils don't dilate under the lights, i wonder if that means they can't see it?

[edf]

i am not sure if they could see it.... but theyare coming out and you don't leave them on all night, so it sounds like a good idea.

Egads- I do use night lights all night for my ball pythons for heating purposes... I hope they dont see it... the bulbs I used were recomended ( by severla diff pet stores and forums). but they are either active at night, or in their hides... and when they are active ( well, when i am still up that is) they seem to be just fine. I am thinking to move over to just CHE for the pythons, unless there is a reason they need the light sources. Light does shine in the room from daylight to simulate the day cycles... so maybe that'll be good enough and just use CHE's...

anyways, if my snakes were in my bedroom I'd want to see them too, but since they are not, it would be pointless to use your idea, since i wouldn't be able to veiw it...LOL.



edf

[John Pilling]

I like it aswell mate, i might try something similar myself just to act like a dimmer for my main lighting, you know main lights off at say 10 and use those till about mdnight, or vary the time depending on the time of year.

Time for the thinking cap to go on, lol...

[Jared]

I use a red heat lamp bulb for my tank and it looks great. It's in my room too so at night I can see my snake out. I used to use a light that's supposed to mimic moonlight but it didn't give off enough heat so I switched to the red one. Much better than the other one.