Coloured Lights as heat source

[mim]

Hi,
i'm very new to snakes. After a lot of research on these forums and at the pet shop, I decided to use coloured party globes as the heat source for the enclosure that my dad was making for me. Got the enclosure finished (125cm long, 60cm wide, 80cm high), but the four lights aren't enough to heat the enclosure without the fluro running (drops to 21c overnight).

I'm picking up my diamond python tomorrow. I'm currently running 40 watt globes, but I'm going to get some 60 watt ones today, which seems to be the highest wattage I can find for party globes. If this isn't sufficient, can I paint a 100w clear globe with glass paint instead? Will this result in the same type of blue light that the snakes cant see? And also, does it matter if you use red & blue at the same time? I didnt really want a weird red or blue look, so I've used 2 of each so they sort of cancel each other out. Thanks for any help you can give.

Also, what are the desired temps for a diamond python? I've heard many different temperatures. Many people/sites say about 28c. Others say between 20 and 30c.

[foxdingo]

I don't know any one who has used blue lights, I have used normal 100watt lights and painted them with red engine paint. and they work great! you also save a lot of money!

[junglepython2]

21 at night this time of year isnt too bad for diamonds, and the 60watts globes will make a big difference anyway.

and red and blue at the same time will be fine, not sure about cancelling eachother out though??

[TrueBlue]

I use 15w, 25w, and 40w blue bulbs, depending on size of tanks and time of year.

[tyrone]

I use red reflector globes.......... The make all the heat go in a downward direction making a hot spot/s

[tyrone]

I use red reflector globes.......... The make all the heat go in a downward direction making a hot spot/s

[base2aau]

I bought i big phillips 80 watt party globe from bunnings dor $8
just one bulb heats perfectly

[AnteUp]

Red and blue lights wont cancel each other out. Herps can still see the red and blue lights, its just not as harsh as normal incandescent bulbs.

[Lurk]

I use ceramic they last longer

[AnteUp]

Originally Posted by Lurk

I use ceramic they last longer

Yeah but you use UV as well which gives you light, and is relatively short term and expensive. Party globes give light and heat.

[mim]

Originally Posted by AnteUp

Red and blue lights wont cancel each other out. Herps can still see the red and blue lights, its just not as harsh as normal incandescent bulbs.

Sorry, I didnt mean that the blue and red would cancel each other out. I just meant that with both red and blue, the light itself doesnt look so weird. It looks a bit more like white light (to me) then just either red or blue.

I was told by the people at the pet shop (Amazing Amazon) that 21 was down the bottom end of acceptable. The 60w helped, kept it at 24 overnight, so I'm assuming this is fine. I've got another question for you more experienced players: How easily do snakes fit through small holes? I know it's pretty hard to answer without knowing the size of the snake and the hole. But to give you an indication, it's a yearling diamond python, slightly undersize according to the pet shop. I have 2 panels of sliding glass at the front that overlap each other, but there is a gap between these of about 7mm. Do you guys think a small yearling could fit through that? I've wedged a bit of hose in there for now, but would like to take it out. I'm also not sure about the square holes in the light cover (couldnt get the smaller mesh that I wanted to), but i'm unsure of the size at the moment (at work).

[mim]

No need to respond to the above question. I can confirm that it can fit through both the gap in the glass, and the mesh around the lights. Going to get some more mesh, and double up.

[NinaPeas]

I have used a blue/red bulb (party) for my childrens python for the last 15 years, and have never had a problem with it.

[AntaresiaLady]

Okay- for those who've said they use party globes- are you telling me the $27.00 that I've spent THREE times (thats $81 in total) since Feb 11th this year was a waste?

And I that I could use a party globe instead for my stimsons? Crikey!

[JungleRob]

Originally Posted by Lurk

I use ceramic they last longer

LOL!!!... How many party globes could you buy for the price of 1 ceramic?