Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey i am new to this forum and a pretty new owner of a ball python but i have done a lot of research and talked to a lot of owners but i have a question about useing a heat lamp i already have a UTH on a 30in long tank but i would also like to know if it would be ok to use a 7" heat lamp with a 60w nightbulb in it for extra heat for a basking spot

What are you temps like right now in the cage? It is hard to answer your question, because you didnt give us a lot of info.

The temp in the tank on the side where the UTH is is about 82

A 60 watt may be a lil too much, it depends on the temps outside the cage. I have a tank about that size, and all I need is a UTH at night and day, and a 40 watt light bulb during the day only. What are the temps on the cool side?

the cool side is usally around 76-78

I would go with a 40-watt incandescent rather than a specialized, and expensive, "heat" bulb. This should put your temps right where they need to be.

could i use a 40watt black incandescent and leave it on during the day and night

Why? I don't see the point...unless that money's burning a hole in your pocket. Snakes do not need light at night, and evening temps in the range of 79-84 degrees is fine.

Yes i know they do not need light at night i was going to use it for a little extra heat during the day and at night

I guess if you want to it wouldn't hurt...I guess I just can't get past the irresistable urge to spend money unnecessarily.

haha ok. . . . thanks for the help