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esiegel91 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 01:08 PM

ok well heres the deal, i have a 100w red light that my local reptile shop said i could leave on ALL the time...is this true? i have one of the long lights with the flourecent lights too but its burnt out...i used to put the flourecent one on as well as the red in the day then shut off the flourecent at night..was that good? i have the tank next to a sliding glass window so it does get natural light but i need to know more...so if anyone can give me advice i'd appriciate it...

ssjsmits · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 01:57 PM

Do you have a thermostat or dimmer regulating the red bulb? You can leave the heat on 24/7. Regulating the day light to obtain a day and night cycle is a good thing too. But you really don't real the light. The ambient light from the room will work.

Lucille · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 02:13 PM

It would be good to have a thermometer and check the temps in your tank too. I live in Texas and if I left a critter in a glass tank next to the slider door in the summer, it would probably be cooked.
There is something to be said for providing warmth in just part of the tank so that the critter can choose how warm he wants to be.

esiegel91 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 08:21 PM

oh ya of course i have a thermometer/hygrometer in one side the tank was 110 and 87 on the other...while now after i took the foil off of the top its now 98 on the warm side and 74 on the other..but the humidity was WAY better when the foil was on top of the screen..

razeraze · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 08:41 PM

I would put the foil back on and get a smaller bulb. Try a 75 watt.

Brandon27 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 08:57 PM

The temps on the warm side seem a bit high. I'm not sure how everything is set up, but you may consider inserting some sort of insulation between the heat source and the tank. If you are using a UTH, try placing an appropraitely-sized piece of cardboard b/w the heat source and and the snake. This may help reduce the temps by a few degrees.
As for the humidity. It is good to keep it b/w approx. 55-65%, but honestly, it would have to be pretty extreme on either end to cause harm to your boa. You would know if your humidity was too high because your substrate would start to mold and mildew (and if your using newspaper as a substrate, it would be difficult to keep your humidity that high). If your humidity is below the reccomended levels, just mist the cage with a water bottle or increase the size of the water bowl. Boas are pretty forgiving. I wouldn't stress too much about the humidity, just do what seems right.
That was a great question. Please feel free to let us know if there's anything you need!

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